Points North Institute welcomes new leadership
A new era for Points North Institute
The Points North Institute has announced significant leadership changes, appointing Elise McCave as its new executive director and Sean Flynn as the artistic director. This announcement coincides with the opening day of the 20th annual Camden International Film Festival (CIFF), a premier four-day documentary festival held in Maine.
Transition in leadership
Elise McCave steps into the role previously held by Rick Rector, who served as interim executive director since January. Rector took over after Ben Fowlie, the former executive director and artistic director, stepped down after two decades of service. McCave’s appointment marks a new chapter for the organization, which has been a cornerstone in supporting the next generation of nonfiction storytellers.
A legacy of support for nonfiction storytellers
Under the umbrella of CIFF, the Points North Institute offers a variety of programs aimed at nurturing diverse voices in nonfiction storytelling. These include the Points North Forum, the Storyforms exhibition, and a year-round calendar of artist development initiatives. These programs are designed to foster the careers of emerging filmmakers and provide them with the resources they need to succeed.
Elise McCave’s impressive background
Before joining Points North, McCave was the head of film at Kickstarter, where she collaborated with over 700 film teams and helped channel more than $190 million towards various film projects. Her previous role as deputy director of Doc Society (formerly BRITDOC) in the UK and New York City saw her develop models for community engagement through documentary film, including the international Good Pitch program and the Impact Field Guide and Toolkit.
Caroline von Kuhn, PNI board chair and co-founder, praised McCave’s dedication to independent filmmakers, stating, “Through Elise’s work at Kickstarter and Doc Society, she has demonstrated a long-time dedication to serving independent filmmakers, fostering community, and unlocking resources. These achievements—and many more besides—make her a remarkable leader who we’re confident will build on Points North’s legacy and steer the organization into its bright future.”
A vision for the future
McCave will officially assume her new position on October 8, working between Maine and New York. Reflecting on her new role, she said, ”In this critical moment in our industry and in the world at large, Points North performs a unique and essential role by identifying, nurturing, and exhibiting work with a diversity of perspectives in an environment that invites open dialogue. This work is vital within thriving democracies, especially at a time when public discourse is more polarized and less nuanced at the local, national, and international level.”
Sean Flynn’s expanded role
Sean Flynn, a co-founder of PNI and a longtime leader of the organization’s artist development programs, will now serve as the artistic director. Flynn will oversee all Points North programs, including CIFF, and lead the development, design, and curation of the institute’s innovative artist programs. These programs encompass fellowships, grants, creative retreats, and industry networking opportunities, supporting dozens of filmmakers annually from around the world.
Flynn expressed his enthusiasm for his new role, stating, “I’m honored to be stepping into this expanded role, working alongside Elise and our stellar team to build an arts organization that serves both independent storytellers and Maine communities with such a rare mix of ambition, creativity, care, and integrity. Now more than ever, we need to invest in artistic freedom and innovation, ensuring that filmmakers have the resources they need to bring culture-shifting stories to audiences on their own terms.”
CIFF: A platform for Oscar contenders
Over the past decade, CIFF has become a key platform for documentaries seeking Oscar recognition. Last year, Madeleine Gavin’s “Beyond Utopia”, which was shortlisted for the best feature documentary Oscar, opened CIFF. This year’s festival features a lineup of politically charged documentaries fresh from showings at Toronto, Venice, and Telluride. Highlights include Steve Pink’s “The Last Republican”, Michael Premo’s “Homegrown”, and “No Other Land”, directed by Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, and Adra.
Expanding support for filmmakers
Points North will be supporting more projects-in-development and filmmaking teams than ever before, across six different fellowship programs and multiple partnerships with mission-aligned nonprofits. These initiatives will run in parallel with the festival, providing a robust support system for emerging filmmakers.
For more information on the Camden International Film Festival and to watch trailers of the featured documentaries, visit the following links:
The Points North Institute continues to be a beacon for independent filmmakers, fostering a community where diverse voices can thrive and innovative stories can be told.