Aspen Film is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has elected Peter Louras as its president.  Mr. Louras, who has served as one of the organization's co-vice-presidents, assumed his new responsibilities at the Board of Directors meeting on December 15, 2009.  He succeeds Neil Karbank, who has enjoyed a long and productive association with Aspen Film; Mr. Karbank will continue to serve on the Board of Directors.
 
An Aspen resident since 2005, Mr. Louras  was recently honored by the Aspen City Council as the City of Aspen's 2009 Volunteer of the Year.  Upon accepting his new position, Mr. Louras said: "My wife, Sam, and I chose to get involved with Aspen Film because of our longstanding love of movies. I am honored to lead such an enthusiastic Aspen Film Board and staff, who are committed to featuring in Aspen the highest quality full-length films, short films and documentaries, both foreign and domestic."
 
The current Board of Directors of Aspen Film includes Vice-President Mel Blumenthal, Treasurer Juliet Shield-Taylor, Secretary Frankie Welfeld, Jane Battaglia, Dede Brinkman, Rick Carlson, Howard Gross, Diane Goldberg Hunkler, Neil Karbank, Helen Klanderud, Maureen Poschman and Deborah Newman Sharpe.
 
Aspen Film will host the 19th Annual Aspen Shortsfest this spring.  The world renowned Oscar® qualifying festival celebrating the short film will occur April 7-11, 2010.   To learn more about Aspen Film, please visit aspenfilm.org.