The Atlanta Film Festival is pleased to announce Kristy Breneman as the new Programming Director. Kristy has been with the festival since 2011, where she started as Outreach Coordinator. Leading up to the 2013 festival, she began programming feature films—a position she continued through this year's festival. As Programming Director, Kristy will continue her work with feature films, but will now work with ATLFF Education and Shorts Programmers to oversee the entire festival's programming. Her responsibilities run the gamut from our 10-day Spring Festival's lineup and Creative Conference to the myriad of year-round screenings and workshops offered to both ATLFF members and the public at large.

Kristy's work extends well beyond the walls of the Atlanta Film Festival offices. Calling her an 'active member of the arts community' would be an understatement. Kristy serves on the Board of Directors for three of Atlanta's most influential creative organizations—WonderRoot, ASIFA-Atlanta and The Plaza Theatre Foundation. As if that wasn't enough, she also works as an Associate Producer for live-music video show, indieATL.

"Having known and seen the great work that Kristy has done over the last few years with us, WonderRoot, ASIFA-Atlanta, indieATL and everything she gets involved with, I know our programs are in good hands with her. In just the few years she has been with our organization, she has shown tremendous vision and leadership abilities and I look forward to see the possibilities of where she’ll take us in the future."
—Christopher Escobar, ATLFF Executive Director

In 2013, Kristy expanded her horizons and moved to Austin, Texas to work as Production Manager for the Austin Film Festival. Although they tried their best to keep her, she came back home to Atlanta to continue her good work here.

Kristy's interest in programming first stemmed from her experience with WonderRoot's Local Film Night at The Plaza Theatre. Encountering so many talented local filmmakers gave Kristy a vision to have the Atlanta Film Festival reflect the talents and interests of this dynamic city. She believes that ATLFF's move to The Plaza and 7 Stages Theatres is an exciting step in the right direction.

Today, Kristy leads a programming team composed of all women. Together with Christina Humphrey (Programmer of Short Films) and Sue-Ellen Chitunya (Programmer of Education), this is—no doubt—one of the only teams of its kind.

Congratulations, Kristy Breneman!