Liz Manne Joins FilmAid Intl. as Executive Director

Veteran independent film executive and producer Liz Manne has been named executive director of FilmAid Intl., a humanitarian organization that uses the power of film to educate and bring hope to refugees and other communities in need.

Manne hit the ground running. In February, she visited two refugee camps in Kenya, and is presently in Haiti.

FilmAid organizes screening series at various refugee camps around the globe. Many of the titles shown are local productions, while studio movies that have screened include The Wizard of Oz and Up. FilmAid also hosts filmmaking workshops.

Mann intends to use her extensive ties in the film business to build more Hollywood support for FilmAid.

"FilmAid has a unique power to connect and communicate with audiences on a deep, emotional level, giving it unlimited potential as a force for good in the world," Manne said.

Manne also will continue to sit on the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, where her focus is cultural diplomacy.

In 1990, Manne co-founded Fine Line Features with Ira Deutchman, serving as executive vice president of marketing until 1997. She helped spearhead campaigns for The Player, My Own Private Idaho and The Sweet Hereafter.

From 1998 to 2001, Manne was executive vice president of programming and marketing for Robert Redford's Sundance Channel. She next co-founded production and consultancy firm Duopoly, producing such films as The Heart of the Game, A Dog Year and Lucky.

More recently, Manne served as an advisor to HBO Films on theatrical releases Maria Full of Grace, American Splendor and Real Women Have Curves.