I've known Michelle Materre for about 6 years now, and I can say that this is definitely well-deserved (with hopefully even more to come):
REEL SISTERS of the DIASPORA FILM FESTIVAL HONORS FILM PIONEER FILM DISTRIBUTOR/CURATOR MICHELLE MATERRE
Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series will celebrate its 15th Anniversary by honoring four outstanding film leaders who have opened the doors for many filmmakers and actors. The Reel Sisters Film Festival will be held on Oct. 13 & 14, 2012 at the Kumble Theater, LIU Brooklyn Campus.
On Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, from 6:10 pm – 7:30 pm, Reel Sisters is adding a phenomenal woman and pioneer film distributor/curator/promoter Michelle Materre to a stellar list of honorees. Reel Sisters proudly honors Michelle for her dedication to providing opportunities for filmmakers of color and as a friend of the festival! Reel Sisters will also honor actors/producers Tim and Daphne Reid and casting director Winsome Sinclair. For information on the awards ceremony and honorees visit our website.
Join us in thanking our honorees for their contributions!
REEL SISTERS PIONEER AWARD HONOREE:
Michelle Materre – distributor/curator/promoter
Creatively Speaking
Michelle Materre's professional background spans more than 25 years in television, film and video with a concentration on independent film. She has worked in myriad capacities in the nonprofit and commercial entertainment industry as a producer, writer, arts administrator, strategic advisor, outreach consultant, distribution/marketing specialist and/or educator.
Having earned a Master's Degree in Educational Media from Boston College, early in her career, she learned a core aspect of the industry at CBS' headquarters in their business division. She also worked as a staff writer/producer for over three years at Henry Hampton's Blackside Productions, and was an assistant story editor at MGM in the feature film division for over three years. Inspired by her work and vast experience, Ms. Materre became a founding partner and Vice President of Creative Affairs of KJM3 Entertainment Group, Inc., a film distribution and marketing company that specialized in multicultural film and television projects. Over the space of nine years (1992-2001), Ms. Materre directly managed the marketing, positioning and distribution of over 23 films by filmmakers of the African Diaspora. KJM3 was responsible for the marketing and positioning of the successful theatrical release of Daughters of the Dust, the highly acclaimed film by Julie Dash, as well as L'Homme Sur Les Quais (The Man By the Shore) by Raoul Peck.
For the past 14 years, she has curated the Creatively Speaking film series at Harlem Stage on the campus of City College and expanded the series to BAM Cinematek in 2007. Recently, Ms. Materre's Creatively Speaking was named a programming partner for My Image Studios (MIST), a $21 million dollar entertainment center in Harlem.
Ms. Materre is currently the Associate Director of the Bachelor's Program and Assistant Professor of Media Studies and Film at The New School where she won the "University Distinguished Teaching Award."
