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NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW
ANNOUNCES MELISSA FARNUM
AS NEW CO-CREATIVE DIRECTOR
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New York, NY – April 1, 2009 – The National Board of Review today named Melissa Farnum as Co-Creative Director of the organization. Farnum will work in collaboration with James Janowsky, who has served as the NBR’s Creative Director since August 2005. Farnum comes to the NBR with an extensive background in the film industry, making her an asset for the organization as they move forward in their 100th year.
"We are thrilled to welcome Melissa to our team and know that her experience and skills will make her a strong addition to our organization,” said NBR President Annie Schulhof.
Working alongside Janowsky, Farnum will work with studios, filmmakers and talent to coordinate over 300 screenings and discussions throughout the year. She will also play a pivotal role in the growth of the NBR’s student philanthropy program by helping select the recipients of the student grants that are awarded by the organization each year. In addition, she will help create and implement the NBR’s free educational seminars that focus on different areas of the film industry. Farnum will also be a part of the team that plans and organizes the annual awards gala that takes place each January in New York City.
Farnum joins the National Board of Review from Paramount Vantage, where she served as the New York Awards and Events Consultant for the 2008 awards season, working on campaigns for Revolutionary Road and Defiance. Prior to Paramount Vantage, Farnum worked for The Weinstein Company during the 2007 awards season. As manager she coordinated award campaigns for films including Great Debaters, Sicko and I’m Not There. Farnum’s previous employers in the film industry include DreamWorks SKG/Paramount Pictures, Grant Wifley Casting and Don Buchwald & Associates.
About The National Board of Review:
For over 100 years the National Board of Review has dedicated its efforts to the support of film, domestic and foreign, as both art and entertainment. Our nonprofit organization celebrates the distinctive voice of the individual artist, honoring excellence and supporting freedom of expression in film. The Board's core activities include fostering commentary on all aspects of film production, as well as underwriting educational film programs and seminars for film students. In 2008, the NBR expanded its student grant giving to ten schools, and reached out to the community through the Children’s Aid Society and the Ghetto Film School.
NBR members annually view approximately 300 films: theatrical, independent, and major studio, documentary and foreign language. The screening membership comprises film professionals, educators, students, and historians. Frequently, in-depth discussions with filmmakers, directors, actors, producers, or screenwriters follow screenings. At year's end, members receive a list of all films screened, along with final ballots, which are tallied by the awards committee in order to determine annual honorees. The organization works to foster commentary on all aspects of film production, to endow scholarships for film students and to underwrite educational film programs and seminars. For more information on the National Board of Review, please visit www.nbrmp.org
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