Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival: David Shor Releases Statement About Resignations
On Saturday evening, the following email was issued:
-----Original Message-----
From: OJAI-VENTURA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
To: OJAI-VENTURA FILM FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL
Sent: Sat, Dec 5, 2009 8:07 pm
Subject: FILM FESTIVAL RERSIGNATIONS
Please be advised that the following officers and directors of the Ojai Film Festival Corporation d/b/a Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival have resigned:
David Shor
Rinaldo Brutoco
James Holland
Sheila Cluff
Bill Monot
Lori Wyatt
John Bennet Perry
Moments ago, David Shor, former Board Chairman and President of the festival, released the following statement:
I am proud of where I was able to take the festival as its board chairman and president, essentially leading it from its demise a few years ago to the position of acclaim it achieved this year. Over the course of the last three years a new strategic plan was developed and executed to expand the festival and attract wider audiences and serve a broader geographic area within Ventura County. As a result the festival expanded into Ventura, formed strategic partnerships with the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa and Brooks Institute, began the Celebrity Golf Classic, changed its name to the Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival, and for the first time attracted very capable and committed directors & officers from outside of Ojai. Additionally, many new donors, sponsors & advertisers signed-on with the festival and enabled the expansion into new venues, expanded special events and screenings, and the festival attracted the best films in its history. A relationship with the British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) was formed along with many other special and meaningful relationships. (continued after the jump)
Raising money and attracting sponsors and planning mid-year events require a nearly full-time commitment. Given the current economic climate, fundraising is more challenging and time consuming than ever. Without the several fundraisers during the year, the revenues generated from the Celebrity Golf Classic, and the year-round efforts by a few of the festival board members who spent countless hours and weeks to plan those events and to solicit donors, sponsors and advertisers, the festival would have been unable to sustain its operations. Those efforts and the changes required to expand require the commitment of the entire board. The film festival board is a volunteer board. Most of us own our own businesses and several of us are involved in significant projects. This past year has been particularly challenging and has required huge time and financial commitments from several of us. Sometimes there is resistance to change. Our board, like all boards in many ways is like a family. As in all families there is disagreement sometimes, and sometimes there is even divorce.
This past week seven of the ten festival board members, including me, resigned. There are significant issues and challenges facing the film festival, economic and other. I for one hope that the positive impact our board had on the festival and the communities of Ojai and Ventura will continue and that the festival will be led by a capable and committed board. Thank you.
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Comments (1)
It should be noted that not all 7 Board members resigned at the same time for the same reason. The Ojai Film Festival appreciates David Shor's work and the Festival will continue. Several new Board members will be announced shortly.Steve Grumette, who is totally responsible for the selection of films, will continue as Artistic Director.
Comment #1 Posted by: Herb Hemming | December 7, 2009 12:31 PM