If one could count the number of serious film festivals found in the Mid-Atlantic region, that list would be very small indeed. But it would include a handful of regional cultural centers, Easton being one of them, that have distinguished themselves, despite their size, as not only communities that have an ongoing love affair with cinema, but supports and encourages the art of filmmaking itself.
To create and build this reputation for the Chesapeake Film Festival has been the objective of dozens of dedicated volunteers over the last nine years, and has recently transitioned into a new era of stewardship in the capable hands of Easton’s Joan Leanos.
The Spy spent a few minutes with Joan has she prepares for her first CFF weekend as the organization’s new president. She shares her thoughts on the challenges of running a film festival, the desire to create a distinctive culture on the Eastern Shore for film, her excitement in honoring famed director John Avildsen (Rocky, Karate Kid) and finding the financial equilibrium necessary to keep this fine tradition going for many years to come.
This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about this year’s Chesapeake Film Festival please go here
Liz Freedlander says
Joan Leanos is a long time friend and long time family accountant. In the short time she has lived here full time, she has dug into increasing the excellence of the Film Festival and moved mountains. She has always loved film. We are most fortunate to have her actively participating in our community.