Debra Markowitz is a multifaceted individual with a remarkable career spanning over three decades. As the Director of the Nassau County Film Office, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Nassau County Film Commission and the Nassau County Film Advisory Board, serving as its Executive Director.
Throughout her 33-year tenure, Ms. Markowitz has consistently increased the production of movies, television programs, and commercials shot in Nassau County, resulting in over 1,400 production days and a positive economic impact of over $150 million.
In addition to her work in the film industry, Ms. Markowitz serves as the President of the Long Island Film/TV Foundation, a not-for-profit agency dedicated to supporting and promoting independent filmmaking. Under her leadership, the Foundation launched the Long Island International Film Expo in 1998, which has since become a renowned event, attracting short and feature-length independent films from around the world.
Ms. Markowitz is also a talented writer and novelist, with her latest novels being part of the Karmic Wind Trilogy. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including being named to the Long Island Press' Power List, 50 Long Islanders Who Control Our Lives, and receiving the prestigious George M. Estabrook Alumni Award for Distinguished Service from Hofstra University.
As a passionate advocate for the arts, Ms. Markowitz has been honored by the Long Island Arts Council as its Outstanding Advocate for the Arts. She is also an award-winning writer, director, producer, and casting director on various movie, television, and commercial projects.
In her personal life, Ms. Markowitz is an avid practitioner of yoga and holds the certification of Reiki Master. She resides on Long Island with her husband, John Marean, and their rescue dog.
