I am delighted to announce that Michael Richardson and Andrew Utterson have been appointed to serve as co-directors of the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (FLEFF). Their work will continue the significant legacy of Patricia R. Zimmermann, pioneering director of FLEFF for almost two decades before her passing earlier this year.
Now approaching its 27th annual edition, FLEFF has become a major cultural event for our campus community and the wider region. Film screenings and other gatherings bring together Ithaca College’s five schools and host community of Ithaca, NY to encourage public participation in dialogues and debates about the worlds – or environments – we inhabit. Visiting filmmakers and other distinguished guests from around the globe provide a collaborative forum for socially engaged interdisciplinary inquiry. Major funding for FLEFF has been provided by the Park Foundation.
Dr. Richardson is Professor in the School of Humanities & Sciences and program director of the interdisciplinary major in Screen Cultures. He has worked closely with FLEFF in its film programming and other events, with a particular expertise in global cinemas. Dr. Utterson is Associate Professor in the Roy H. Park School of Communications and until recently served as coordinator of the all-college Ithaca Seminar Program. He has been a FLEFF associate producer/programmer and has organized many panels, workshops, and other special events.
Please join me in thanking Michael and Andrew for bringing their passion and commitment to continuing the legacy of one of the College’s longest running interdisciplinary initiatives. We look forward to joining them as festivalgoers at future editions of FLEFF, with more details to follow about FLEFF 2024.