..Gary Dretzka
..Noah Forrest
..Leonard Klady
..R.J. Matson
..David Poland
..Douglas Pratt
..Ray Pride
..Michael Wilmington

October 31, 2005

For Immediate Release

EILEEN NEWMAN
NAMED AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FOR THE NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW

Eileen Newman has been named Executive Director of the National Board of Review, it was announced today (10/31) in New York by the NBR Board of Directors.

Eileen Newman comes to the National Board of Review with an eye toward the future of film, an understanding of non-profit management, and a love of film as the ultimate art of communication. Working closely with the Board of Directors, Eileen will be working to maintain the original spirit of the 96-year-old organization, while at the same time, moving the organization forward. Her specific goals include broadening the scope of membership, creating more opportunities for programming, and expanding scholarship opportunities.

Eileen Newman has most recently served as the Senior Director of Programming at IFP/NY. Previous to joining IFP, Eileen served as Executive Director of Film/Video Arts. Ms. Newman was formerly a program officer at New Visions for Public Schools, an educational non-profit where she assisted in the creation of small New York City elementary and secondary schools. She has worked in education and media for over 30 years as an administrator and a teacher working for the Department of Education in New York City and as a professor of film studies at Adelphi University. In addition, Ms. Newman has served on the boards of New York Women in Film as Vice-President of Programming and Membership, the New York Production Alliance, the Film and Video Council, and on the Advisory Board of DocuClub. Her work at Film/Video Arts included working closely with hundreds of filmmakers providing technical support through the fiscal sponsorship program.

Established in 1909 to combat censorship, the National Board of Review has dedicated its efforts to the support of film, domestic and foreign, as both art and entertainment. This non-profit organization celebrates the distinctive voice of the individual artist, honoring excellence and supporting freedom of expression in film. The NBR’s core activities include presentation of free educational film programs which are open to the public and draw film students, film professionals, and film buffs, as well as the award of scholarships and grants to promising film students and directors. Scholarship honorees also receive a year's free membership in the NBR screening group. In addition, NBR members annually view and rate over 300 films: theatrical and made for cable, independent and major studio, documentary and foreign language. The screening membership comprises film professionals, educators, students, and historians. Frequently, in-depth discussions with filmmakers, directors, actors, producers, or screenwriters follow screenings. At year's end, members receive a list of all films screened, along with final ballots, which are tallied by the awards committee in order to determine annual honorees.

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