Raised in Kenya
with over fifteen years
in the film industry,
Collins brings
extensive experience
and international perspective
to organization’s future
(Chicago — 26 June 2018) IFP Chicago, a non-profit that supports filmmakers at every stage of production and presents the annual Chicago Underground Film Festival, today announces a new phase of leadership as Gregory Collins joins the organization as Executive Director, effective immediately.
Collins assumes the role following a comprehensive search by the organization’s governing board for the best candidate to lead IFP Chicago into is next thirty years.
“IFP Chicago is thrilled to welcome Gregory to the organization. He has a passion for film and helping filmmakers. We are excited by the vision and ideas Gregory has for the future of IFP Chicago, while honoring our 30 years of history,” said Board President Lisa Swanson.
Collins entered the film industry as executive administrator of the Austin Film Society in 2002, and has since gained extensive experience in film production, higher education, and nonprofit management. As director of development for Burnt Orange Productions, Gregory was centrally involved in the development and production of Jamie Babbit’s The Quiet and Will Geiger’s Elvis & Anabelle, starring Max Minghella and Blake Lively.
At the Pennsylvania State University, Collins served as director of communications of the World in Conversation Project and also lectured on screenwriting, producing, and representations of Africa in cinema.
Having written and directed two feature films and worked on many more, Gregory brings a filmmaker’s experience and perspective to his role with the organization.
Since moving to Chicago, Collins has worked with Kartemquin Films, Facets, and the University of Chicago. He received a BA from Marquette University, was a David L. Boren Fellow through the National Security Education Program, and is an alum of the IFP Filmmaker Labs in New York. Born and raised in Kenya, Gregory has also lived in Brazil, Malawi, and in a dozen American cities; he currently resides in east Hyde Park.
“I sincerely believe the next Ang Lee, Claire Denis, Dee Rees, and Xavier Dolan are living in Chicago,” he said. “And it’s a profound privilege to work with an organization dedicated solely to finding these individuals and to helping them along their path.”
IFP Chicago recently concluded the 25th Chicago Underground Film Festival; in addition to providing day-to-day production resources and fiscal sponsorship, the organization regularly produces events aimed at cultivating and celebrating Chicago and midwest filmmaking. For more on the organization, the films and filmmakers it champions and all upcoming events, visit www.ifpchicago.org.
About IFP Chicago
IFP Chicago was founded in 1987 as a small group of filmmakers that met in bars around the city to view each other’s work. In 1992 we introduced an annual conference that brought together filmmakers and film lovers from around the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. In 2004 we began hosting filmmaker workshops and independent film screenings. Today, IFP Chicago not only offers a full slate of year round community programs and filmmaker services it also runs the Chicago Underground Film Festival, the longest running underground film festival in the world. Learn more at www.ifpchicago.org.
Send your film updates to Reel Chicago Editor Dan Patton, dan@reelchicago.com.
