New Orleans Film Society Welcomes Carroll Morton as New Executive Director

35th Annual New Orleans Film Festival set to take place October 16 – 27 // October 16 – 22 (in-person), October 16 – 27 (virtual)

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Carroll Morton as its new Executive Director. Morton joins NOFS with an impressive background in the New Orleans film industry — serving as the director of the City of New Orleans Film Office since 2018 — and a deep commitment to the growth and preservation of the city’s cultural heritage. Now, as Executive Director of NOFS, Morton will continue to expand the mission of NOFS by promoting and amplifying the diverse voices of filmmakers through film and film-related programming that inspire, educate, challenge and entertain its audiences.

“I am deeply honored to step into the role of Executive Director at the New Orleans Film Society,” said Morton. “This organization has long been a cornerstone of our city’s cultural landscape, and I am eager to work alongside the incredible team at NOFS to build on its legacy. Together, we will continue to champion the film industry in New Orleans, ensuring it remains a vibrant and integral part of our economic and cultural heritage.”

During her tenure as director of the New Orleans Film Office, Morton made significant contributions including establishing the city’s first film industry workforce training program, advising on key film legislation, developing comprehensive film policies and protocols and enhancing film data tracking systems. Her collaboration with economic development organizations brought substantial film business investments to New Orleans.

“We are beyond excited to welcome Carroll Morton as our new Executive Director,” said Laura Ashley, Board President of the New Orleans Film Society. “Her experience, vision and dedication to the New Orleans film community make her the perfect leader to take NOFS to the next level. We are confident that under her leadership, NOFS will continue to flourish and expand its impact.”

The NOFS is guided by a dynamic board of directors composed of industry veterans with extensive experience and connections including, Jonathan McHugh (producer, director and music supervisor), Elston Howard (supervising location manager, and member of Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences), Peter Schlessel (former studio president and producer), Greg Lucas (management and operations of Preservation Hall), Virginia McCollam (producer and supervising location manager), Steve Rehage (founder and Producer of The VooDoo Music + Arts Experience) and Doug Spearman (writer/director/producer and actor) and honorary board members Jennifer Coolidge, John Goodman and Wendell Pierce.

The New Orleans Film Fest is set for October 16-27 (16-22 in-person; 16-27 virtual cinema). More exciting announcements and films will be announced soon. To purchase passes and learn more, visit www.neworleansfilmsociety.org/attend.

About the New Orleans Film Society:

The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to promote, nurture, and amplify the diverse voices of filmmakers and to facilitate conversations through film and film-related programming that inspire, educate, challenge and entertain our audiences.

Founded in 1989, NOFS produces the Oscar®-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival annually and invests year-round in building a vibrant film culture in the South to share transformative cinematic experiences with audiences, and connect dynamic filmmakers to career-advancing resources. Year-round programming includes free and low-cost screenings for members and the broader community of cinephiles in New Orleans, a 27-year running French Film Festival featuring contemporary and classic French cinema, and filmmaker professional development programs created to nurture diverse voices in filmmaking in the American South. NOFS is a 501(c)(3) organization.

The New Orleans Film Society is supported by grants from the Ford Foundation; The National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; Perspective Fund; and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The City of New Orleans supports NOFS’s programs through a Community Arts Grant administered by Arts New Orleans.

NewOrleansFilmSociety.org