History Museum of Mobile: Learning Lunch, The History of Filming in Lower Alabama
Date/Time
Date(s) - April 8, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location
History Museum of Mobile
Categories
The History Museum of Mobile’s upcoming Learning Lunch Program is on Wednesday, April 8th at 12 PM and will feature Keli Shirazi, Director of the Mobile Film Office. The title of her presentation is The History of Filming in Lower Alabama and How to Get Involved.
Keli Shirazi is a seasoned film professional with over 15 years of experience in the film, television, and commercial industries. Her career has been defined by her expertise in production office leadership, where she has played an integral role in coordinating and managing the complex operations that bring creative projects from development through final release.
Working behind the scenes, Shirazi has contributed to the successful execution of both independent and studio productions. Her work has supported every stage of the production lifecycle, ensuring that logistical, administrative, and interdepartmental processes run efficiently, enabling creative teams to focus on delivering high-quality content.
Currently, Shirazi serves as the Director of the Mobile Film Office, where she leads initiatives to attract film, television, commercial, and other media productions to Lower Alabama. In this role, she not only promotes the region as a viable production destination but also fosters meaningful connections between the industry and the local community.
A key component of her leadership has been developing educational and workforce initiatives. She created a Shadow Program that provides high school and college students with hands-on experience working on professional sets, equipping them with practical skills and industry insight. In addition, Shirazi has collaborated with local schools to integrate filmmaking into classrooms, helping cultivate student interest and engagement in the craft.
Her commitment to education and community involvement extends to her work with the Mobile County Public Schools Film Festival and launching the “Student Filmmaker of the Month” program, which highlights emerging talent through the Mobile Film Office’s social media platforms, that she actively manages and develops.
Beyond education, Shirazi has strengthened the regional creative network by organizing industry meetups, facilitating training opportunities for aspiring crew members, and providing accessible pathways for community involvement. Her efforts help connect residents and businesses with the film industry by working with production companies as a filming location, contributing artwork, or participating as a vendor.
Through her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to both industry growth and community engagement, Keli Shirazi continues to play a vital role in expanding opportunities for filmmakers and creatives of the Gulf Coast region.
Link to some of the projects she’s worked on.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4749240/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_3_nm_5_in_0_q_Keli%
The History Museum of Mobile invites the public to attend the free Learning Lunch lecture series. Guests are encouraged to bring their lunch and enjoy a presentation on an historical or cultural topic. For more information on Learning Lunch, contact Brantley James, Curator of Education, at 251-301-0270or b.james@historymuseumofmobile.com.