Mary Maynard Reed
Mary Manard Reed has been named Executive Director of the High Falls Film Festival. Reed succeeds Mary Howard, who moved to a new career in real estate.
Malcolm Spaull, Chairman of HFFF said, "Mary Reed brings extensive experience in the film industry, corporate and non-profit leadership in programming, fundraising, marketing and operations. We are thrilled that she will be leading the High Falls Film Festival, helping us to further our mission and goals."
Reed previously served as the Senior Director, Global Branding and Marketing Communications at CooperVision, a medical device manufacturer with sales in excess of $1 billion. Prior to joining CooperVision, she spent nearly 11 years at Kodak in a variety of leadership capacities.
During her 25-year career, Reed has launched several national brands; built and managed teams; implemented integrated digital marketing initiatives, and negotiated multi-million dollar strategic partnerships.
She gained specific film industry expertise and contacts during her tenure as the Marketing Director for Kodak's Motion Picture Film division, based in New York City. While at Kodak, she represented the Company and/or organized industry events at various film festivals including; Cannes, Sundance, Telluride, Toronto, SXSW, Tribeca, Miami Intl, American Black Film Festival, New Directors New Films, and The Hamptons.
Reed holds a B.S. Degree in Business with a marketing major from the University of South Carolina; and has completed MBA course work at St. John Fisher College and Rochester Institute of Technology. She is a recipient of The Rochester Business Journal's prestigious "40 under 40" award.
The 12th season of the High Falls Film Festival kicks-off in April with a two-day Spring Fest on April 25 and 26. Films will be announced in March. The main festival will be held for four days October 23-26.
Last year's festival - featuring four days of diverse independent films, shorts, visiting filmmakers, panels and parties - was a resounding success, drawing record attendance of more than 5000 and a record number of film submissions.
The festival also marked the return to its original name and mission of providing a platform to celebrate the work of women in all aspects of filmmaking.
Reed and her family live in Penfield, NY.
About High Falls Film Festival
Founded in 2001, the High Falls Film Festival is one of the longest running women's film festivals on the East Coast and one of the few film festivals worldwide that celebrates the work of women filmmakers. A non-profit organization, the High Falls Film Festival has screened hundreds of films since its inception, spotlighting the cinematic works of women and bringing the finest independent motion pictures and film artists to Rochester and Western New York audiences. The Festival includes features, documentaries, and shorts. The Festival has also offered programs in film education as well as student film making competitions.