Film Festival Alliance (FFA) announced today it has named Lela Meadow-Conner as the organization’s Executive Director; She has served as Acting Executive Director since April 2017.

Meadow-Conner is beloved and widely recognized on the regional film festival circuit as both a take-charge leader, and a “glue” person that can fill in all gaps and bring an organization’s team together. Successes at the very popular Tallgrass Film Festival for years established her reputation, which has only been burnished by yeoman work she did at this year’s Bentonville Film Festival helping it achieve one of its most successful outings yet, as well as consulting for the Woods Hole Film Festival, and her ongoing work with FFA.

“FFA and the film festival industry have grown rapidly over the past several years. We’re thrilled to have Lela fill this important role at a critical time for the Alliance as we evolve from a grassroots movement into an institution that can support festival professionals and shape the future of our industry. Lela has the right mix of vision and experience to lead the organization into the new phase and I’m excited to work with her as we build, grow, and adapt,” said FFA Board President Dan Brawley, Chief Instigating Officer of Cucalorus Festival.

Lela Meadow-Conner

Meadow-Conner comes to Film Festival Alliance with over 15 years of experience in the film festival industry. A founder of the Tallgrass Film Festival, she filled several roles within that organization between 2003-2017, including six years as the popular festival’s Executive Director. She’s also served in consulting roles for the Woods Hole Film Festival, and most recently for Geena Davis’ Bentonville Film Festival, and has attended dozens of film festivals, nationally and internationally in various roles and capacities, as well.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to work with my peers at FFA, which is such an important organization for our industry. It’s a place where film festival professionals sincerely feel like they belong and know that the work they are doing is making a difference,” she said. “Our environment is collaborative and inclusive, and our membership base is truly passionate about storytelling, independent film exhibition, supporting filmmakers, and enriching audiences. I look forward to working together to advance the film festival’s role in the entertainment ecosystem.”

FFA’s new Executive Director (Lela Meadow-Conner)

FFA, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with over 150 active members from across North America, including founding members Sundance Institute, Heartland Film, and the Full Frame Documentary Festival. The organization is singular in its dedication to film festivals and festival professionals, and is committed to creating a sustainable environment for festivals of all sizes and types, while championing the vital role they play within the film industry.

FFA’s year-round programming includes an annual conference in conjunction with the Art House Convergence in Utah each January, Regional Roundtable mini-conferences taking place at member festivals, professional development opportunities, and a job board and monthly webinars. Membership benefits include revenue-generating programs for festivals and discounts on goods and services as well as access to resources, conversation and networking groups and more.

In addition to Brawley, FFA’s Board of Directors is comprised of film festival professionals including Vice President Andrew Rodgers (Denver Film Society), Treasurer Anne Chaisson (Hamptons International Film Festival), Secretary Judy Laster (Woods Hole Film Festival), and members at large: Beth Barrett (Seattle International Film Festival), Clint Bowie (New Orleans Film Festival), Mark Fishkin (Mill Valley Film Festival), Jon Gann (Festival Consultant), Rachel Morgan (Sidewalk Film Festival), Cara Ogburn (Milwaukee Film), Patrick Shepherd (Cleveland International Film Festival) and Ryan Watt (Indie Memphis.)