At the final SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL Board meeting for fiscal 2007, Ian Black was sworn in and inducted as the fourth President of the Festival’s august Board. Black promised to continue the festival’s growth, advancement and programs initiated by his predecessors while indicating that he has plans for solidifying the festival’s fiscal and artistic well-being in this tenth anniversary year and beyond.

During the last three years of outgoing President Neil McCurry’s term in office, the festival has experienced unprecedented growth and has seen its reputation as an important event on the international film festival circuit leap tenfold. Mr. McCurry will remain a member of the Festival’s Board and as an avowed fan of the event.

“I look forward to my term as President of this most exciting and internationally acclaimed organization,” stated President Black. “It is one of Sarasota’s, and the Southeast’s, most important annual cultural events and I am proud and honored to be entrusted with the pleasurable duty of keeping it at the forefront of the film festival world.”

“Guiding the structure of the Sarasota Film Festival for the last three years has been one of the most satisfying duties I have ever undertaken,” ex-President McCurry ebulliently stated. “I am extremely grateful to have had the privilege of serving the Sarasota Film Festival and to assist in enabling its tremendous growth.”

Following President Black’s inaugural a delightful and joyous celebration was held at the Long Boat Key Club and Resort to honor these two fine leaders. Also on hand were Festival Founder and first President Dr. John Welch, and acclaimed Executive Director Jody Kielbasa.

In addition, Howard Doss of Bank of America and Michael Welly of the Longboat Key Club and Resort, have been appointed to the Executive Committee and Larry Fraczak of Merrill Lynch and Lou Schultz owner of Canvas Cafe have also recently joined the board.

Ian Black is one of Sarasota’s leading businessmen and has been a prominent fixture in the local commercial real estate market since the early 1980’s. In 1982, Ian and his family moved from Northern Ireland to Sarasota, where the Blacks owned and operated, then later sold, a ten-unit motel on Siesta Key. He then went on to work at prestigious area real-estate companies finally opening his own commercial real estate brokerage and management office in 2003. Through both his professional and private interests, Ian has built a solid reputation from amongst Sarasota’s business, philanthropic and arts communities.

The Sarasota Film Festival has its official dates for 2008. SFF will celebrate a decade of cinema April 4th -13th, 2008. True to form, the 10th edition will be stacked from top-to-bottom with hundreds of film screenings as well as jaw-dropping special events, intimate conversations with some of the brightest minds in film and more intensive educational programs.