Anne Chaisson, who has served as the executive director of HamptonsFilm, the organization behind the Hamptons Film Festival, will be stepping down from her position following this year’s festival. Chaisson initially joined the organization as a film producer and later co-founded its advisory board in 2002. She took on the role of executive director in 2012.
In light of Chaisson’s impending departure, Randy Mastro, the Chairman of the Board for HamptonsFilm, plans to assemble a subcommittee to conduct a national search for her successor. The new executive director will be chosen after the conclusion of this year’s festival in October.
The Hamptons Film Festival, which takes place in various venues on the east end of Long Island, has grown in significance since its inception in 1992. It has become a key event on the fall film circuit, attracting industry professionals and influencers who frequent the Hamptons during the summer. The festival has also benefitted from the region’s increasing popularity, symbolized by the transformation of Montauk into a trendy destination.
During Chaisson’s tenure, HamptonsFilm launched various initiatives and programs to enhance the festival’s offerings. These include initiatives like Compassion, Justice and Animal Rights, and Air Land and Sea Signature, as well as a weekly year-round “now showing” series, free outdoor summer screenings, and educational programs. Additionally, the festival introduced new awards such as the Dick Cavett Artistic Champion Award, The Melissa Mathison Award for female screenwriters, and The Peter Macgregor Scott Memorial Award for narrative short filmmakers.
Under Chaisson’s leadership, the festival expanded from a five-day event to an 11-day celebration. She also navigated the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic by implementing virtual events and drive-ins as interim solutions. Chaisson expressed pride in the organization’s growth and transformation into a year-round non-profit. She thanked her team for their collaborative efforts and looks forward to the next chapter in her career.
Despite Chaisson’s departure, Artistic Director David Nugent and the festival’s programming team will continue their roles as preparations for this year’s festival intensify. Chairman Randy Mastro expressed gratitude for Chaisson’s dedication over the past 12 years and wished her success in her future endeavors.