Denise Kasell, who joined forces with the Hamptons International Film Festival in 1998 and was instrumental in helming its rise to the forefront of American festivals, is leaving her post as Executive Director.

Board Chairman, Stuart Match Suna, and the Hamptons Board are in the process of searching for a candidate to take over the position. Artistic Director, Rajendra Roy, remains firmly in place to guide the festival’s acclaimed programs and creative vision.

When Denise Kasell took the reins of the Hamptons International Film Festival in the event’s fifth year, the event was a notable regional festival with a powerful brand identity that was greatly underutilized. Nine year’s later, the Hamptons is a World Class event, strongly supported by the Hamptons community as well as the film industry. It has become a ‘must’ on the international festival calendar.

“Denise’s tenure has been a boon to the Hamptons Film Festival,” stated Board Chair Stuart Match Suna. “Through her efforts, the Festival has enhanced its standing in the international film community and has earned a solid footing as one of this country’s foremost film events. The Board, Staff and I wish her well in all her future endeavors.”

“In the early years I found the work at the festival very challenging and over the last several years very rewarding,” said Kasell. “Of special note has been the inception of two new working Boards, an Honorary Board spearheaded by Alec Baldwin and an Advisory Board led by longtime Hampton resident and iconoclast Indie producer Jeff Sharp. These, along with our Board of Directors, chaired by Stuart Match Suna, have played major roles in the growth of the festival.

I may have made my best and farthest reaching decision five years ago when I brought on board a young talented curator, Rajendra Roy, who has brought his impeccable taste and vision to the programming of the Festival. Ours has been both a pleasurable and very successful collaboration. I feel blessed to have been at the helm of such a prominent Organization, and I’m honored to have worked so closely with all the many players in meeting our goals.”

“One of the things I am most proud of is establishing the Conflict and Resolution program, which brings to the forefront major social and political issues to a very influential community. At present I think we are at a crucial point in the USA, and the next two years are going to bring very ‘interesting times.’ It’s been said the most successful Executives and Fundraisers are those who believe in what they are doing. I think that is my strong suit, a passion for what I do. Who knows where it will take me next.”

The Hamptons International Film Festival is currently searching for an Executive Director to collaborate alongside Rajendra Roy and the Board to continue augmenting the Festival’s stature and enhance its future fiscal growth.