To the FFA Community,
I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of Film Festival Alliance! To have the opportunity to once again work alongside people I deeply respect, in a field that I truly love, feels incredibly special. Getting to do this kind of work, twice in a career, is something I don’t take for granted, and to me it speaks volumes about the spirit of the film festival community. This field is built on collaboration, generosity, and a shared belief in the power of storytelling.
For more than fifteen years, my career has been rooted in that spirit. I most recently served as Artistic Director of the Cleveland International Film Festival, where I helped guide the organization through a period of major transition while expanding partnerships, fundraising, and audience engagement. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of working with filmmakers, industry partners, community organizations, and audiences who all believe in the cultural impact of film.
My film festival journey began while studying film at Ohio University, where I also started working with the Athens International Film and Video Festival. And dang, was I hooked. Like many of you, my path through this field has been shaped by long festival days, problem-solving on the fly, celebrating filmmakers, and building lasting relationships with colleagues across the industry. Those experiences are what continue to fuel my passion for this work.
Film festivals have always been a cornerstone of the independent film ecosystem. But they are also something more: a celebration of the people who gather around this art form. The filmmakers who share their stories, the audiences who show up with curiosity and enthusiasm, and the thousands of organizers, programmers, volunteers, and staff who make these experiences possible.
That’s why I’m so energized to step into this role at such an important moment for our field. Festivals are evolving alongside audiences, technology, and the broader industry, and Film Festival Alliance plays a critical role in helping us navigate that change together. My goal is to ensure that every member festival, no matter its size or location, feels that FFA is an essential resource and a true home base for advocacy, education, and connection.
I’m especially excited to listen and learn from all of you. The strength of this organization comes from its members, and I look forward to engaging directly with festivals across the network, building on the incredible foundation already in place, and finding new ways to support the work you do in your communities.
I’m also very much looking forward to gathering with many of you at this year’s IND/EX conference in Chicago, June 22–25. It will be a wonderful opportunity to meet members in person, engage in thoughtful conversations about your experiences with FFA and the broader festival landscape, and start brainstorming together about where our field is headed next. The program tracks and schedule outline are already available on the website, and there’s much more to come—so stay tuned for additional IND/EX announcements in the weeks ahead.
Film festivals bring people together through story. Film Festival Alliance brings together the people who make those stories possible. I’m honored to join this community in a new capacity and can’t wait to work with all of you as we write the next chapter together.
Take care,
Mallory Martin
Executive Director
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