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About Us - Salem Film Festival
A project of The Historic Elsinore Theatre
April 21-23, 2006
MISSION and VISION:
The Salem Film Festival will bring exceptional films and filmmakers to Salem in order to showcase independent film talent, provide educational opportunities for amateur and student filmmakers, foster film appreciation in the community, strengthen the local economy, and improve Salem’s quality of life.
SFF PARTNERS
The Salem Film Festival is made possible with the cooperation of these Partners:
The Historic Elsinore Theatre, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the community with an exceptional venue for live performances and film presentations. Built in 1926, the theatre seats 1,200 people. A three and a half-year, $3.5 million dollar restoration was completed in 2004. As with all nonprofits, fundraising is imperative. The idea to host a film festival as a fundraiser began with board member Elaine Sanchez. Fortunately, she connected with people and organizations that had an expansive knowledge of film along with a fervent desire to create an event that would bring exceptional films and filmmakers to Salem.
Salem Cinema, a locally owned and operated movie theater, consistently brings a delightful alternative to the usual movie going experience. With over 22 years of film exhibition specializing in first-run art, foreign, and independent film features and offering a tantalizingly delicious and unique snack bar this little independent theater is one class act. The quality presentation as well as the tailor made programming of unique films has put the theater on the map as Salem’s first choice for superior entertainment offering rare, fun and intelligent films to be enjoyed by old and young alike. The belief that film is art and that art enriches life is the passionate force that drives owner Loretta Miles and her knowledgeable staff. Together they have created a gracious environment with broad appeal to the more sophisticated and eclectic movie lover.
Allied Video Productions, was established in 1984, and since, has grown steadily, expanding into an impressive facility near downtown Salem. With state of the art camera packages, editing suites, live event support equipment, and an incredible staff, Allied Video Productions has positioned itself as the premiere production company in the area. Supporting the Salem Film Festival seemed like a clear extension of what they do every day – providing technical support and event coordination in combination with a clear understanding of high end film and video production values.
Chemeketa Community College, is a local highly regarded community college. Chemeketa established the Wednesday Evening Film Series and a sequence of Film Studies courses in the early 1970s. Since then, the college has educated thousands of patrons and students on the history and appreciation of movies as an art form. In 2004, Chemeketa and The Historic Elsinore Theater became Film Series partners, presenting the best in classic films weekly on the big screen through state of the art technology in one of America's grand theater palaces.
Willamette University, is a nationally recognized liberal arts school with graduate programs in law, business and education. Founded in 1842, Willamette University embodies academic excellence and challenges its students to broaden their college experience beyond the classroom. Willamette University offers diverse courses in film, including classes in video, screen writing, documentary, film history and criticism. A Film Studies Minor is available through the university's College of Liberal Arts.
IKE Media, is a local non-profit organization with a contagious passion for creativity and young people. Their mission is to capture the attention of young people with uncommon hospitality and opportunity, and to inspire in them the courage to express their creativity and to live their dreams. IKE Media has created and opened the IKE Box in downtown Salem, where youth are positively engaged in music, in movies, and in coffee shop conversations. IKE Media attracts students of widely diverse backgrounds and resources to their programs on the top floor of the IKE Box, and with uncommon acceptance, continues to assist them with professional media creation and to inspire them to believe in their true value. As a partner in the Salem Film Festival, IKE Media is excited for the community to gather around, to celebrate, and to enjoy the creativity all around us.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Every startup organization consists of individuals who are willing to contribute their time, energy, and talent to a common goal. Whether these people create magic or madness depends on who gets involved. The steering committee for the Salem Film Festival is made up of men and women from diverse backgrounds and professions with unique talents and abilities. Together they imagined the possibilities and then went out and did the heavy lifting to make their collective vision become a reality.
Steering Committee Members:
Jeff Hart, coordinator and co-chair of the festival, is the co-owner of Allied Video Productions, one of the film festival’s partners. With a background in film and video production, Jeff has a passion for independent cinema. He has attended several film festivals recently including Sundance, Port Townsend, and others. Jeff has been involved in every facet in the creation and management of the Salem Film Festival from programming to trash removal. He’s been married for 20 years to his patient wife, Barbara, and has two wonderful children, Quetzalí and Camilo, who graciously allow him to stay up late nights to organize a film festival.
Steven R. Martin became the executive director of the Historic Elsinore Theatre, in June 2005, after moving from Colorado Springs, Colorado where he oversaw the 2,100 seat Pikes Peak Center for 20 years. In addition to numerous other activities associated with the festival, Steve has kept track of the budget and managed the ticketing process. He’s excited about the inaugural year of the Salem Film Festival and anticipates that it will broaden the audience of the Elsinore and bring new energy and excitement to downtown Salem.
Josh McMurrin is the Media and Art Director for IKE Media. For more than four years he has worked with IKE Media helping to create inspiring opportunities for youth. He came on board with SFF to create the Youth and Amateur Competition. He has also been instrumental in creating the festival’s image. Working with the logo designed and created by Jim Johnson, an instructor at IKE Media, Josh has developed the look and feel for SFF in all printed and electronic materials. His background is in video, graphic design and art, and he has always had a love for great movies. Josh also served on the steering committee for Salmon in the City and was one of the salmon artists.
Loretta Miles worked at the Salem Cinema for several years before purchasing the theater in 1990. Her passion for quality film coupled with her true desire to enrich the lives of movie lovers made her the perfect choice for program chair of the Salem Film Festival.
Brena Moyer Lopez is a member of the Board of Directors of the Historic Elsinore Theatre. She works part-time as a consultant while caring for her two sons, ages 5 and 2. She has helped with planning and was instrumental in the fundraising effort for the festival.
Elaine Sanchez, co-chair of the festival, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Historic Elsinore Theatre. Her background was in television advertising sales management. She and her husband Alex moved to Salem in 1998 from Albuquerque, New Mexico and since that time she has been an active volunteer in the community. Elaine served as chairperson for the Fundraising Ccommittee and has spent countless hours planning, writing, and editing marketing and publicity materials.
Steve Slemenda teaches Film Arts and English at Chemeketa Community College. He’s been active on the Steering Committee from the beginning and has contributed greatly to the decisions made by the Programming Committee, where he participated in film selections and the shaping of panel presentations.
Ron Steiner is president of the Marketing Communications Group, Inc, a consulting company to the broadcast television industry. Previously he was the volunteer marketing committee chair for the Albuquerque Family Film Festival. Ron loves great film and has attended numerous film festivals. Committed to Salem, the Historic Elsinore Theatre, and creating exciting happenings in our city, Ron has assisted the SFF greatly in fundraising, marketing and public relations.
Stewart Williams, a professional banking officer with Bank of the Cascades, is a member of the board of directors for the Historic Elsinore Theatre. He also has a background in concert and event planning. Stewart coordinated the flight arrangements and travel plans for all guest filmmakers.
Suzette Budreaux, a realtor with Prudential Real Estate, brought her background in advertising to the Steering Committee. Her support of the festival stems from her desire to boost cultural interests and activities in our area.
Special Committees:
Filmmakers’ Gala
Kathy Kelemen, a long-time Salem resident, is active in Assistance League of Salem, where she has served as the Publicity Chair, Kids on the Block Puppeteer, 2005 Cooks Tour Chair, and will be the chapter Assistant Treasurer in 2006-7. Continuing with her commitment to making Salem a better place to live through her support of local charities and the arts, she took on the job of chairperson for the Filmmakers’ Gala at j.james restaurant.
Volunteer Coordinator
Hazel Patton is frequently referred to as “the woman who started Salem’s Riverfront Carousel”. Hazel is a master at recruiting volunteers. When it became obvious to the members of the Steering Committee that a massive volunteer effort was going to be required, there was no question about who to call.
Coralee Cox, volunteer team leader at the Historic Elsinore Theatre, also volunteers with the Salem Convention and Visitor Bureau Salem Chamber of Commerce. She has recruited and organized all of the ushers for the weekend at the Elsinore.
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