Sallie Mayne Exits NaFF

Nashville Film Festival Executive Director Sallie Mayne has announced she will be stepping down from the position she has held for the past eight years. “Today I find myself ready for a new challenge,” Mayne expressed to NaFF’s executive board. “After much soul searching I feel it’s time I end my tenure as Executive Director of the film festival. I know that I am leaving behind a healthy organization and that I have created great relationships within our community and a strong structure with processes in place that will allow someone to step into my role. It has been the most exciting, fulfilling and successful journey of my life.”

Mayne will remain as a consult through the end of 2011 and Film Festival Managing Director Ted Crockett will act as interim Executive Director.

Mayne joined the Nashville Film Festival as Executive Director in 2004, bringing over 30 years of experience in advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations and event coordination. Under her leadership, attendance at NaFF’s signature eight-day spring festival more than doubled to 26,000 in 2011 and sponsorship dollars increased by 200%. Mayne was instrumental in bringing more than 90 community partners together for the festival, and securing a half million dollars in in-kind sponsorships. In 2011, she secured Nissan’s role as the presenting sponsor for the annual festival.

Nashville Film Festival is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and receives funding from the NEA, the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, The Brooks Fund, The Frist Foundation and The Memorial Foundation.  In 2012, the festival will mark its 43rd year. It is hosted at the Regal Green Hills Stadium 16 in Nashville, Tennessee.