Message From our Executive Director

My Friends,

I can't thank you enough for the amazing turnout and support you've given TIGLFF during this 20th anniversary celebration! Festival attendance numbers surpassed those of 2008 and the entire event was filled with an overwhelming sense of joy. I wish you could have been looking through my eyes on opening night, what you would have seen was a theatre filled with friends and family, all with smiles on their faces - all extremely proud - all of us celebrating the 20th anniversary of a treasured community icon.

And what a celebration it was! From the films, to the Talent and Directors present, to the many wonderful festival parties, we celebrated in style. I have never experienced such a rush as I had this year with the festival. I am very proud of our entire team, board, staff and volunteers for a job well done.

I mentioned on opening night, that "The Journey is the Reward".... We are now focused forward on keeping the momentum gained in the 20th year of the festival moving into the 21st annual event. It is vitally important that we are able to reflect on the event, find what worked best and expand those concepts for future events. We're going to need your continued support to make that happen. Keep up your annual giving campaigns, support the film series when it starts back up in January, and be sure to earmark funds now for your 2010 Simply Fabulous Pass. It's the very best way to experience the film festival... ask around of those who have the SF pass. They'd have it no other way!

Here at the festival, transition and change are inevitable. Volunteers lend their valuable time and energy to the event in a temporary time frame. Board Members serve their terms, make their lasting mark on the event, then move on to make room for fresh ideas from new Board Members. The same is true for staff as well. I have been absolutely blessed to have been a part of the film festival's history, and to have been able to meet and grow to love all of our wonderful supporters. That said, my time as the Executive Director of the festival is also coming to a close and I am ready to help pass the baton to the next person who has the calling and desire to serve our community in this fashion.

I will be moving on to a new role as a full-time reporter at Bay News 9 starting January 1, 2010. While I am excited about this new direction for my career, I am going to miss my day-to-day work here at the festival and have promised the Board of Directors my support after January 1st should it be needed. Like you, I am hooked on the film festival and want to continue to be an asset to the organization regardless of my employment.

I thank you for...everything. I encourage you to remain steadfast in your support for the festival. I wish you and your family only the best as we move through the holiday season. Don't forget about the film festival during your annual charitable giving. With our new Alan Duscowitz Endowment in place, your gift can go even farther than ever before!

The Journey IS the Reward! And oh what a wonderful journey it is!

Sincerely,

Chuck Henson
Executive Director
Friends Of The Festival, Inc.