Atlanta Film Society (IMAGE Film & Video)
Melissa Simpson possesses extensive experience in the film and education sectors, currently serving as the Director of Education and Instructor at the Atlanta Film Society (IMAGE Film & Video) since February 2023. As the Executive Director and Founding Director of Film Impact Georgia, Melissa has led initiatives to support the independent film community through grants, mentorship, and community events since February 2019. An independent producer since January 2017, Melissa specializes in facilitating storytelling and consulting on various projects. Previous roles include Marketing & Communications Project Manager at Eventive, Co-chair of the WIFTA Short Film Showcase, and Operations Manager at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, among others. Melissa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Film & Digital Media and an Associate’s Degree in Media Studies from the University of North Georgia.
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Atlanta Film Society (IMAGE Film & Video)
Now celebrating a 45-year history, the Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS) is one of the oldest and largest organizations dedicated to the promotion and education of film in the United States. ATLFS aims unite the Atlanta community by serving artists in creative growth and inspiring audiences through the power of the moving image. Enriching the community through screenings, classes, workshops and other events year-round, the chief operation of ATLFS is the Atlanta Film Festival. One of only two dozen Academy Award-qualifying events in the country, the Atlanta Film Festival showcases over 200 films annually to 27,000 attendees across a ten day event each spring. Each year, the Atlanta Film Festival receives over 6,000 submissions from 120 countries across the globe. It has been distinguished as the 'Best Film Festival' by Creative Loafing, Sunday Paper, 10Best and Atlanta Magazine, as well as one of the '25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World' and one of '50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee' by MovieMaker Magazine. Recently Atlanta Film Festival celebrity guests include James Franco, Josh Brolin, Richard Chamberlain, Margaret Cho, Abigail Spencer, Drivin’ N Cryin’, Jeff Foxworthy, Jasmine Guy, Kara Hayward, Martin Henderson, Georgie Henley, Chris Lowell, Ludacris, Pras Michel, Julianne Nicholson, Tye Sheridan, Chris Tucker, Eddie Vedder and many others. ATLFS screenings & events often include in-person dialogue with filmmakers, providing audiences, artists and industry professionals with meaningful opportunities to network, interact and engage. Throughout the years, ATLFS has hosted a diverse selection of films from emerging, contemporary and renowned filmmakers including Spike Lee, Mario Van Peebles, Morgan Spurlock, Ray McKinnon, Aaron Katz, Lynn Shelton, James Ponsoldt, James Moll, Robert Rodriguez, Carlos Cuarón, Marc Webb, Debra Granik, Bill Plympton and David Gordon Green. The Atlanta Film Society is a membership-based 501(c)(3) arts non-profit.