NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) announced today that Dodd Loomis has been appointed Executive Director. Loomis, who served as Interim Executive Director through the successful 2025 New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF), assumes the role as the organization continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact across New Orleans and the regional film community.
NOFS also announced a leadership transition at the board level. Doug Spearman, an actor, writer, and director and longtime member of the NOFS Board of Directors, will assume the role of Board President on January 1, 2026, succeeding Laura Ashley. Alexa Georges, a founding member of the New Orleans Film Society, longtime board member, and champion of independent film and art in the American South, has been named Emeritus.
“Dodd Loomis is a dynamo. From the moment I met him, his drive, energy, and almost surreal “let’s do it” attitude made him someone I knew I wanted both as a friend and as a collaborator,” said Spearman when asked about working with Dodd. “You have to be a little bit nuts to work anywhere near the film business, and that kind of crazy is something we both share. I admire his work-ethic, his connection to New Orleans, and the collaborative vision he brings to the NOFS.”
“My long-standing support of the New Orleans Film Society comes from a deep belief in its importance to the cultural life of our city,” said Emeritus, Alexa Georges. “I’m enthusiastic about the new leadership and the fresh perspective they bring to the organization. This next chapter builds on a strong legacy that has always championed creative voices.”
2025 Organizational Milestones and New Initiatives
NOFS significantly expanded its community footprint in 2025 by launching more than 20 new initiatives. These efforts included new partnerships with the New Orleans Jazz Museum and The Historic New Orleans Collection, which brought curated film collections and thoughtfully designed festival programming to both venues, as well as the launch of Reel Futures, a university-focused industry day developed with Loyola and Tulane University that connected students with industry leaders and provided free festival passes.
NOFF also achieved multiple milestones in 2025, including its largest Opening Night to date, a record number of film submissions with more than 4,000 entries, and the highest number of volunteer applications in its history. For the first time, NOFF launched The New Orleans Film Festival Podcast in partnership with LMP Studios, a 30-episode series recorded during the festival featuring leading voices in film, including Academy Award–winning directors, artificial intelligence industry thought leaders, and New Orleans cultural bearers.
In addition, NOFF introduced the Éclair Film Festival, its first-ever 48-hour film competition, with completed shorts premiering at the Independent Filmmaker Party at The Broad Theater. The organization secured the festival’s first multi-year presenting sponsor, Andscape, a Black-led media platform and subsidiary of Disney/ESPN.
Beyond the festival, the year-round initiative NOFS/365 debuted with a sold-out collaboration with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Loyola University at Loyola’s Roussel Hall. NOFS’ first partnership with the Jewish Community Center through Science on Screen expanded access to filmmaker conversations and screenings for new audiences across the city.
Executive Director Dodd Loomis quote about accepting post
“I’m from New Orleans, and I grew up surrounded by artists who taught me that culture isn’t something you observe from a distance. It’s something you participate in.
Film sits at the center of what we do at NOFS, but in a city like New Orleans, film is never just about the screen. It’s a gateway to music, food, visual art, literature, and live performance. We’re a festival town, and I see film as a gathering place. A starting point for immersive experiences that invite people in and bring culture to life.
While NOFS will always champion filmmakers, I’m equally committed to making our work welcoming and accessible to everyone, including people with no connection to the film industry. Movies are a shared language, and when they’re paired with live events, conversation, and celebration, they become something the whole community can take part in.”
NOFS announces new appointments to the Board Executive Committee
The New Orleans Film Society also announced additional board leadership appointments. Stephen Rehage, founder and president of Rehage Entertainment, co-president of AEG Live Festivals, and president of Live Nation North American Festivals, will serve as Vice President. A prolific creator and producer, Rehage founded the Voodoo Music Festival and the Planet Hoops 3-on-3 Basketball Championship Tours. His philanthropic work includes producing major fundraising events such as New Orleans for the Team Gleason Foundation, the Revlon Run/Walk for Women in New York and Los Angeles, and Rock ’n Race featuring Katie Couric and Paul Simon.
Lisa Thompson has been named Secretary. Thompson brings more than 20 years of experience as a strategic technology and program leader, with a career spanning digital transformation, governance, and cross-sector collaboration. She has served on the NOFS Board since 2023, is an active member of the Junior League of New Orleans, and holds a Master of Science in Public Health from Tulane University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Jeffray Teague will continue to serve as Treasurer. He has spent more than a decade as Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration at Greater New Orleans, Inc. and brings deep expertise in nonprofit and charter school finance, having also served as a founding board member and treasurer for two New Orleans–area charter schools.