With 15 years of film festival leadership, sector advocacy and a fierce commitment to independent film, Ohioan Mallory Martin is stepping into the spotlight as the new executive director of the Film Festival Alliance (FFA), the organization championing and connecting film festivals across the globe. As the field’s leading professional association, FFA brings together more than 300 festivals and industry professionals throughout North America and the U.K., driving collaboration, innovation and shared impact.
Mallory’s calendar is already buzzing, but she carved out time to talk with Ohio Goes to the Movies about her new role, her vision for the field and the Ohio roots that continue to shape her leadership.
How and where did you get started in the world of film festivals?
Mallory Martin: “My film festival journey began while studying film at Ohio University, where I also started working with the Athens International Film + Video Festival. Next, I co-founded rePROFilm, an organization that connects storytellers, advocates, creatives and artists to curate mission-aligned short films, podcasts, playlists and newsworthy links.
For 15 years, I was with the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF), an Academy-qualifying film festival and member of the Film Festival Alliance. During my last five years at CIFF, I served as the artistic director.
How did your work in Ohio prepare you for a national role at Film Festival Alliance?
MM: My years in Cleveland were incredibly formative and played a major role in preparing me for a national leadership role. At the Cleveland International Film Festival, I had the opportunity to help guide the organization through significant moments of change — from the industry’s transition to digital, to the rapid pivot to virtual programming during the pandemic, and later, a major venue relocation. Navigating those shifts required strategic thinking, collaboration and a willingness to innovate while staying grounded in the core mission of serving filmmakers and audiences from Ohio and beyond.
Ohio’s arts community is deeply collaborative, and that spirit shaped how I approach leadership. Working alongside cultural organizations, community partners and fellow festival professionals taught me the value of listening, sharing resources and building networks that strengthen the entire field. Those experiences translate directly to my work with Film Festival Alliance, where the goal is to support festivals across the country by fostering connection, sharing knowledge and helping the independent exhibition community continue to evolve and thrive.
Will you remain in Ohio, or be based elsewhere?
MM: I’m staying in Ohio! FFA is a remote organization with board and staff all over the country.
How do you see the future of film festivals?
MM: Film festivals have always been places where discovery happens: where audiences encounter new voices, filmmakers find their communities, and conversations around film and culture take shape. That role hasn’t changed, but the environment around festivals is evolving quickly. Audience habits, technology and the broader film industry continue to shift, and festivals are adapting in creative and thoughtful ways. What gives me optimism is how resilient and collaborative the festival community is. Time and again, festivals have shown an ability to innovate while still preserving the magic of the shared theatrical experience.
What are your goals for FFA?
MM: At FFA, my goal is to help ensure festivals of all sizes have the tools, connections and advocacy they need to thrive in that evolving landscape. That means strengthening opportunities for knowledge-sharing across the network, expanding partnerships and amplifying the collective voice of the festival community. Ultimately, I believe the future of film festivals is strong because they offer something audiences still deeply value: the chance to experience film together and connect through story.
FYI
The Independent Film Exhibition Conference (IND/EX), will take place June 22-25, 2026, in downtown Chicago at Venue SIX10 and other iconic Chicago venues. The 2026 conference, presented by Film Festival Alliance and Art House Convergence, is expected to welcome more than 800 attendees with cinemas, film festivals, distributors and vendors, for a dynamic and fun event. Registration is open now at www.indiefilmex.org!