Film Independent Names Mary Sweeney Board Chair

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 11, 2013) — Film Independent co-presidents Sean Mc Manus and Josh Welsh jointly announced that filmmaker Mary Sweeney (The Straight Story, Baraboo) has been elected as the new sitting Chair of its Board of Directors. She takes over the position from outgoing Chair, filmmaker Bill Condon (The Twilight Saga – Breaking Dawn Part I and II, Gods & Monsters), who has served as Chairman for the last three years. On the Executive Committee, Sweeney joins current Vice Chair, writer/director Rodrigo García (Mother and Child, In Treatment), Secretary, director/producer Alan Poul (The Backup Plan, The Newsroom, Rome) and newly seated Treasurer, Landmark Theatres C.E.O. Ted Mundorff. Condon will remain on Film Independent’s Executive Committee as a member-at-large. Sweeney has been actively involved in the organization’s film education programs, the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, as well as having served on many of its committees. In addition to her own writing and directing work, she’s served as an editor and producer with longtime collaborator David Lynch. Additionally, she is the Dino and Martha De Laurentiis Endowed Professor at the School of Cinematic Arts, University of Southern California, where she teaches screenwriting.