Jacob Burns Film Center Names New Director

The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC), a nonprofit educational and cultural institution dedicated to presenting the best of independent, documentary and world cinema, promoting visual literacy, and making film a vibrant part of the community, has named Edie Demas as its new Executive Director. She will assume the position on May 1st.

Edie brings a wide range of experience to the JBFC. Active in arts education networks locally, nationally and internationally, she has spent 20 years focused on arts appreciation and education programming, including serving as the Director of Education at New York City's New Victory Theater for ten seasons. Under her direction, the Theater's education programs were honored with the Americans for the Arts annual award for Arts Education, and Demas herself received a BAXten (Brooklyn Arts Exchange) award in recognition of her work with teaching artists and young audiences.

David Swope, Chairman of the JBFC's Board of Directors, noted that "we are fortunate to have attracted an individual with this depth of experience. We are excited to bring in such an accomplished arts educator to continue our work in quality film programming and to expand the impact of our innovative visual literacy curricula. Not only does Edie bring a wealth of experience; she has the ideas and vision necessary to enable the JBFC to continue to succeed as one of the country's leading film and media education centers."

Demas was selected after a nation-wide search conducted over six months by an executive search firm that reviewed more than 100 applicants. "There were many highly qualified candidates for this position," Swope said. "But after careful review, our board unanimously concluded that Edie's background, abilities, energy and overall interest in JBFC's mission set her apart."

In assuming the position, Demas becomes the first Executive Director to follow founder Steve Apkon who held the post for 12 years. Apkon is stepping down to head a newly created nonprofit media production company. He will continue to serve on the Board of Directors.

"I am honored by the opportunity to help build upon the great work that has already been accomplished in film programming, education and media literacy in Westchester County as well as at the national and international level," Demas said. "Just as the JBFC is a dual mission organization, I have had a dual mission career. I have always been drawn to opportunities that link arts/culture to education. The more fully these entities are intertwined, the better. Like the JBFC, my work thrives when it is grounded in community engagement. I am very much looking forward to becoming part of such a dynamic organization, stellar team and vibrant community."

Demas leaves her current work consulting with the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills to return to New York. From 2001 to 2010, as Director of Education at the New Victory Theater, she designed and grew their education Partnership Program to reach 30,000 school children annually. She also taught at NYU, serving as Adjunct Instructor for the Program in Educational Theatre during that time. Earlier in her career, Demas served as Director and Curator of Unreel, a youth and family festival at the Cork Film Festival in Ireland. Edie holds a Ph.D. in Educational Theatre from New York University.

Demas and her husband, Chuck Graef, a composer, have twin 3-year olds and look forward to joining the Pleasantville community.

Founded in 2001, The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution dedicated to presenting the best of independent, documentary and world cinema, promoting visual literacy, and making film a vibrant part of the community. The JBFC campus in Pleasantville, NY (30 miles north of Manhattan) includes a three-screen theater complex, the Media Arts Lab, and a residence for visiting artists. Since its founding, over two million people have seen over 4,500 films from more than 40 countries, and more than 100,000 students have engaged in JBFC's innovative education programs. To learn more about the Jacob Burns Film Center and Media Arts Lab, visit burnsfilmcenter.org.

Photo Credit: Russel Peborde