Vermont Business Magazine Orly Yadin, Executive Director (ED) of the Vermont International Film Festival (VTIFF) will be stepping down from her role as of June 30th, 2023. A search for a new ED has begun. Arnie Malina, President of the VTIFF Board, said “Orly took an organization that was in danger of closing down and re-built and expanded its programs and community support to become a vibrant participant in Vermont’s cultural life.”
Yadin will continue to serve VTIFF in various capacities, including helping with the transition of the new ED, and acting as Program Director of the Vermont International Film Festival this October.
Orly has been involved with VTIFF since arriving in Burlington from London in 2002: presenting her own films, serving on the Board of Directors (2010 -2011), and as Executive Director 2012 - 2023.
VTIFF, in its 38 years of existence, has seen many changes in its focus and programming. When Orly took the helm in January 2012 VTIFF was in danger of shutting down; there was barely money in its bank account, and only a handful of volunteer board members. Over 11 years, she expanded the organization to become a presenter of year round programming with three distinct film festivals, monthly screenings, special events and a membership program. Orly also traveled around the state to form partnerships with other film organizations such as Brattleboro Film Festival, WRIF, The Savoy Theater, Green Mountain Film Festival, the Media Factory and more, expanding VTIFF’s reach and screenings.
Orly worked tirelessly to change the public perception of the Fall festival as the “doom and gloom festival”, by gradually changing the curatorial focus to cinema as an art form. During COVID, Orly set up VTIFF’s virtual network, keeping the organization intact and connected to the community. When VTIFF staged its latest festival live, October 2022, audiences eagerly returned to its curated programming at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center.
In her second year as Executive Director, Orly began the Global Roots Film Festival, an annual winter event. While the Vermont International Film Festival strives to be broad by bringing the best of independent films from around the world, in all styles and genres, Global Roots takes a deep dive into a particular theme or country of origin, such as Film and Disability, the History of the Musical Film, Indigenous Cinema, Films from the Middle East, Food and Film and more.
In 2018, in order to fulfill another part of VTIFF’s mission - to support local filmmakers - Orly expanded the Vermont Filmmakers Showcase to encompass films and filmmakers from New England and Quebec, upgrading the showcase in 2021 as a stand-alone festival called “Made Here.” In partnership with Vermont PBS (now Vermont Public), Made Here attracted 29 filmmakers from the region to attend the Festival, held in festive style at the Burlington Beer Company.
Also in the service of Vermont’s film culture, in 2016, Orly, together with a group of advisors - archivists, film historians and filmmakers - created VAMP (Vermont Archive Movie Project) whose mission is to locate, digitize, catalog and exhibit Vermont films. VAMP kicked off with the digitization of the 1916 Vermont-made feature film A Vermont Romance, shot entirely in Vermont locations with a non-professional cast. VTIFF commissioned a new score from Bob Merrill and toured many venues in the state. The VAMP online database serves as a resource for researchers.
Upon announcing her resignation, Yadin said “the past twelve years at VTIFF have been some of the most fulfilling of my working life. I made this decision with confidence that I will be leaving the organization in good shape and in excellent hands. Serving in this role has been an absolute gift and honor, and I’m full of gratitude to all VTIFF supporters, friends, and partners in the work of enriching the community and bringing the world to Vermont through film. I have no doubt that the amazing people that make up VTIFF will continue to do incredible things. I feel so lucky to have been part of it.”
Eric Ford, former Board member and currently Director of Content Partnership at Vermont Public said, “What Orly has accomplished in her tenure with very limited resources is massive. VTIFF has grown under her tenure to truly become the shining beacon of cinema in Vermont. Tough shoes to fill for sure! “
“The search for a new Executive Director is an opportunity for the VTIFF Board to rethink its organization’s staffing needs and its programming and educational thrust,” said Holly Cluse, Treasurer of VTIFF. “It has been an inspiration working with Orly and seeing VTIFF develop and flourish this last decade.”
An announcement of the job search for VTIFF’s new ED can be found HERE
Applicants can send resumés to Paula Willoquet, [email protected]
Vermont International Film Foundation (VTIFF). 2.3.2023.