Editor

The Tahoe/Reno International Film Festival (T-RIFF) today announced that David Shor, managing director of Labrador Media Group and Labrador Pictures of Santa Barbara, California has become president of its board of directors. The Festival will be held Aug. 23-27, 2006 in Lake Tahoe.

In announcing the appointment of Shor, Katrina Wilson, founder and executive director of the festival said, “It’s no secret that the Festival was a huge hit last season; it was voted by the Lake Tahoe community as ‘Most Outstanding Community Service Organization in 2005’ out of hundreds of candidates. We grew 500% in the last year alone, and we needed a President who could bring a breadth of experience in strategic management, consulting and finance from the entertainment industry to the T-RIFF Board Room. David Shor not only fits the bill, his visionary ideas and hands on leadership approach energizes and inspires everyone around the table.”

During his 35-year career, Shor has advised, managed and produced events for a variety of clients from the entertainment industry; from major showroom acts in Las Vegas, to world-renowned "cirque" performers. He has also served as executive producer in event production for such acts as Santana, The Eagles, and Eric Clapton. Additionally, Shor has been involved in numerous motion picture projects as consultant, producer and executive producer, and to this end is a principal and managing partner of Labrador Media Group and Labrador Pictures. Labrador provides financing, production, development and distribution for filmmakers, writers and other artists. Shor’s partners in Labrador are Jeff Arch, an Academy Award nominee best known for writing “Sleepless In Seattle”, and Pulitzer Prize author and humorist Dave Barry.

Recently Shor served as producer and executive producer of Labrador Pictures recent release “Dave Barry’s Complete Guide To Guys,” which held its World Premiere at T-RIFF in 2005. Shor also serves on numerous corporate and not-for-profit boards and is a member of the Producer's Network of the Cannes Film Festival. Shor has raised and managed tens of millions of dollars on behalf of nonprofit organizations and his clients.

In a statement, Shor gave his experience of the festival from a guests’ perspective:
“I attended the festival in 2005 with almost the entire cast and crew from our film. We all agreed that T-RIFF has enormous potential to rise as one of the world’s premiere festivals and to gain notoriety in the industry. The enthusiasm and professionalism of the T-RIFF staff, the quality of films, workshops and panels and the venue itself were awesome. I have attended and participated in film festivals all over the world, and T-RIFF has the elements to become one of the great ones. When I was asked to join the T-RIFF Board, and then to become its President, both decisions were easy for me”.

Shor further noted, “T-RIFF is celebrating its 7th year as a nonprofit organization. Their infrastructure is in place and they have everything needed to make a leap to the next level in 2006. With technology unique to the industry coming online this year and major sponsors coming on-board, a dedicated and passionate staff, a community of supportive people whose demographics are in the 99 percentile nationally, year-round offices in a multimillion-dollar center, and the fact that T-RIFF owns and operates its own TV station, T-RIFF is poised to become a major player among film festivals. Their location is key, not only because of the beauty of the area, but the close proximity to Hollywood and the influx of entertainment industry people buying second homes at Tahoe to vacation”.

“T-RIFF is an elite destination dedicated to raising awareness of film -- both as an art form and a catalyst for positive social change. Our eye is on the discovery of new talent and a diverse line-up of quality independent films. I am excited to be a part of the Tahoe/Reno International Film Festival and I am looking forward to serving as its President,” said Shor.