Editor

AFMA ANNOUNCES 2004 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The 2004 Board of Directors for AFMA was elected at the organization's annual membership meeting, it was announced today by AFMA President & CEO, Jean Prewitt.

Michael Ryan of IAC Films & Television in London was confirmed as Chairman (replacing replacing Kathy Morgan). Ryan, who ran unopposed, becomes the first person from outside the U.S. to hold the office. "I am very honored to have been selected Chairman of AFMA and feel that it is very much in the international spirit of our association. AFMA provides a fantastic service to its members. I intend to work very hard to develop this service even more as well as to increase the political presence of the Association worldwide."

Ryan’s election and that of other senior executives from around the world reflects the diversity of the AFMA Membership. With eight board members from companies headquartered outside the U.S., the newly elected AFMA board is the most "international" ever. The new governing body also includes representatives from a broad-spectrum of independents including studio-aligned companies, owner-operated concerns, film companies, and television companies.

Five people were elected to the AFMA board for the first time: Art Wouter Barendrecht, Fortissimo Film Sales (Netherlands), Patrick Binet, TF 1 (France), Nicolas Chartier, Arclight Films Pty. Ltd. (U.S. / Australia), Antonia Nava, Filmax International (Spain), and alternate Ruth Harley, New Zealand Film Commission.

"The new Board possesses an extraordinary breadth of experience and depth of knowledge of our industry. I am delighted that AFMA will be so well served," said Prewitt.

Those now serving on the AFMA Executive Committee are:

Michael Ryan, Chairman - IAC Film & Television
Steve Bickel, Vice Chairman, Secretary – Aura Entertainment
* Howard Kaplan, Vice Chairman, Finance – Morgan Creek International LLC
Nicole Mackey, Vice Chairman / Non-California – Capitol Films Limited
Bobby Meyers, General Vice Chairman – Meyers Film Entertainment, Inc.
* Barbara Mudge, Chairman, AFEA – Worldwide Film Entertainment LLC
* Rick Sands, General Vice Chairman - Miramax International

* Completed first year of two-year term & were not up for election

Those now serving on the AFMA Board of Directors are:

Art Wouter Barendrecht, Fortissimo Films Sales
Patrick Binet, TF 1 International
Ehud Bleiberg, Dream Entertainment
Nicolas Chartier, Arclight Films Pty. Ltd.
Kirk D’Amico, Myriad Pictures
Robert Hayward, Summit Entertainment
Paul Hertzberg, Cinetel Films, Inc.
Lewis Horwitz, The Lewis Horwitz Organization
Lloyd Kaufman, Troma Entertainment, Inc.
David Linde, Focus Features
Mark Lindsay, Miramax International
Robert Little, The Little Film Company
Nicolas Meyer, Lions Gate Films International
Charlotte Mickie, Alliance Atlantis Communications Corporation
Kathy Morgan, Kathy Morgan International
Antonia Nava, Filmax International
Andrew Stevens, Trademark Entertainment, Inc.
Alison Thompson, Pathe International
Michael Weiser, Modern Entertainment
Lisa Wilson, Splendid Pictures

Newly elected alternates are:

Ruth Harley, New Zealand Film Commission
Jere Hausfater, Independent
William Shields, G.E.L. Distribution
Bruno Chatelin