Anne Chaisson, who has been serving as the executive director of the Hamptons Film Festival for nearly a decade, is set to step down from her position after this year’s festival. Chaisson first got involved with the festival as a producer of films that were screened during the event. She then went on to co-found and co-chair the organization’s advisory board in 2002 before eventually taking on the role of executive director in 2012.
Randy Mastro, Chairman of the Board for HamptonsFilm, has announced plans to appoint a subcommittee of the board to conduct a national search for Chaisson’s replacement. The new executive director will be chosen after the festival concludes in October. The festival, which takes place at multiple venues on the east end of Long Island, has grown in prominence since it was first launched in 1992.
Under Chaisson’s leadership, the festival has seen significant growth and development. New initiatives and programs have been launched, including Compassion, Justice, and Animal Rights, as well as Air, Land, and Sea Signature. The festival also expanded its offerings to include weekly year-round “now showing” series, free outdoor summer screenings, and educational programs. Additionally, new awards have been added to the festival’s annual honors to recognize excellence in various areas of the film industry.
Like many other event organizers, Chaisson had to navigate the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. She oversaw the implementation of virtual events and drive-ins as temporary solutions to keep the festival going during uncertain times. Despite these challenges, Chaisson reflected on her time with HamptonsFilm with pride and gratitude for the opportunity to lead the organization through such extraordinary circumstances.
As Chaisson prepares to depart from her position, Artistic Director David Nugent and the rest of the festival’s programming team will continue their work to make this year’s edition a success. The festival is scheduled to take place from October 4 to 14, with preparations already underway. Mastro expressed his gratitude to Chaisson for her years of dedicated service and wished her the best in her future endeavors.
As the Hamptons Film Festival undergoes this transition in leadership, it marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the organization. The impact of Chaisson’s tenure and the legacy she leaves behind will undoubtedly shape the future of the festival for years to come.
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