Editor

The Boston Jewish Film Festival announced today that it has appointed Sara L. Rubin as “Artistic Director Emerita” in recognition of Rubin’s outstanding work on behalf of the Festival for the last 15 years. For the past three years, Rubin served as Artistic Director for the nonprofit cultural arts organization, stepping down after the November, 2011 Festival.

Said Board Chair Joyce Field Pastor, “We are delighted to recognize Sara Rubin’s contributions to The Boston Jewish Film Festival with our first Emeritus position. “

Prior to serving as Artistic Director, Rubin served as the Festival’s Executive Director since joining the organization in 1997. Under her leadership, Rubin more than tripled the Festival’s annual budget; increased the size of the annual Festival; and instituted year-round programming, including collaborations with local film organizations. The Festival also engaged Board members through first-ever trips to the Haifa International Film Festival (2005 and 2009) and the Berlin Jewish Film Festival (2007).

During her tenure, Rubin was recognized by Women in Film/Video New England and the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film and received the title of Chevalier in France’s Order of Arts and Letters from the French Ministry of Culture for her work on behalf of French culture. This year, she served as a panelist for grants for both the Foundation for Jewish Culture and the Hadassah Brandeis Institute (HBI).

Rubin stated, “I am honored by the Festival’s recognition of my service on its behalf. I believed strongly in the Festival’s mission, which made it easy to work passionately for it, whether asking for contributions or negotiating film contracts. For many of my 15 years, a core group of colleagues gave the organization great stability.”

“I wish the Festival’s current management team all the best as they move forward in a field of constantly changing technology – and astonishing creativity.”

Asked about her future plans, Rubin said, “After 15 years of long hours and hard work building the Festival to what it is today, I need to step back and decide what challenge is next in my life. I’m eager to seek out new opportunities in which film and other cultural arts intersect. It remains to be seen exactly what that direction will be.”