The Dallas Film Society (DFS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tanya Foster to the position of CEO/President of the Dallas Film Society and to the newly-created position of Executive Director of the DALLAS International Film Festival (previously the AFI DALLAS Film Festival). In her role, Foster will be responsible for overall management of the Film Society, as well as responsible for fundraising and program development and expansion. Foster comes to her new role with an active Dallas community volunteer background, which most recently includes positions at The Elisa Project, the Dallas Art Ball, and the Highland Park PTA. She is currently a member of the Crystal Charity Ball, served as Chairman of the Cattle Baron’s Ball in 2008 and the Junior League of Dallas Ball in 2002.
The Board of Directors also announced today that it has elected former Dallas Film Society Artistic Director Michael Cain to the position of Chairman of the Board. Cain co-founded the Dallas Film Society, which hosted the DALLAS International Film Festival, in 2007. Cain also was founder of the Dallas Deep Ellum Film Festival, and has produced over 20 feature films, including TV JUNKIE, which was awarded a Special Jury Prize for Documentary Excellence at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and went on to be a part of the HBO Emmy Governor’s Award winning “Addiction Series.” Cain is currently in production on the STARCK PROJECT, a feature documentary and narrative film set in 1980’s Dallas and is Executive Producer on three features currently in pre-production with M3 Films including COME BACK AFRICA based on filmmaker Lionel Rogosin’s diary of the first anti-apartheid film in 1950’s South Africa.
In addition, the Board has announced that James Faust has been promoted to Artistic Director of the DALLAS International Film Festival. Faust has been with the Dallas Film Society for more than four years, most recently serving as Director of Programming. One of the founding members of the Deep Ellum Film Festival, Faust held the positions of Associate Programmer, Managing Director and Programming Director during that festival’s seven year run. Instrumental in the formation of AFI DALLAS, Faust has also served as a guest programmer with many festivals including the Austin Film Festival and is an associate programmer with the Texas Black Film Festival and was honored by that festival as Filmmaker of the year in 2009.
“We are very pleased that we have been able to put such a strong management team in place,” said Cain. “Faust will continue to bring a strong artistic focus and continuity to our Festival; while Foster will be able to expand our programming and raise the funds needed to achieve our long-term goals.”
The DALLAS International Film Festival will be held April 8-18, 2010. Festival passes are available for sale now, and more information can be found at www.dallasfilm.org.
The Dallas Film Society celebrates films and their impact on society. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, The Dallas Film Society recognizes and honors filmmakers for their achievements in enhancing the creative community, provides educational programs to students to develop better understanding of the role of film in today’s world, and promotes the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking. In addition to producing one of the largest festivals in the Southwest, The Society produces numerous year round events, screening series and partnership programs with arts organizations around the city. For more information, visit www.dallasfilm.org.