Eugene Hernandez and Lesli Klainberg today at SXSW. Photo by Brian Brooks
We're thrilled to announce the appointment of Lesli Klainberg, formerly the Managing Director and producer of the last three New York Film Festivals, as Executive Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Klainberg comes to this position having served as the Interim Executive Director since December 2013 following the departure of Rose Kuo. In addition, Eugene Hernandez, who has served as the Film Society’s Director of Digital Strategy for over three years, will step into the role of Deputy Director.
Before joining the Film Society, Klainberg was a mainstay among the filmgoing community, serving as the Executive Director of NewFest, New York’s LGBT Film Festival (where she also served as a Board member), and as a Consulting Producer for the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program. She was also the Producer of IFP’s Independent Film Week Forum and a Founding Board member of GLAAD.
Hernandez, a co-founder of Indiewire, where he lead the website for 12 years as Editor in Chief, has overseen multiple advancements at the Film Society, including the relaunch of the organization’s website, the growth of its social media platforms and streaming video content (including footage from live in-person events at the Film Society) and the creation of this very blog, FilmLinc Daily.
Klainberg and Hernandez at the 51st New York Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Lesli Klainberg
Both Hernandez and Klainberg will assume the role of Co-Publisher for Film Comment magazine, a bimonthly publication of the Film Society of Lincoln Center.
Film Society’s Board Chairman Ann Tenenbaum said, “It is especially gratifying to us to select the Film Society’s new leadership team from within our own ranks. Lesli has a deep appreciation of our mission and we are confident that, together with Eugene, she will build on the success we have realized in recent years.”
In addition to these appointments, former Manager of Digital Strategy Michael Gibbons has been promoted to the role of Director of Digital Platforms. In this role, Gibbons will oversee the organization’s development of new digital media and the expansion of its reach to a new and diversifying audience via multiple screens and platforms for both FilmLinc.com and FilmComment.com.
