LEADERSHIP

NashFilm Executives

Jason Padgitt, Executive Director  – Nashville Film Festival

Jason Padgitt is a dynamic leader with deep experience and success as both an in-house and agency executive. With expertise across key disciplines including brand development, creative design, marketing communications and strategic partnerships, Padgitt oversees all aspects of NashFilm’s planning while charting the strategic future of the organization.

Prior to joining Nashville Film Festival, Padgitt led the global marketing and communications teams for major consumer and lifestyle brands by creating high-impact global integrated marketing campaigns while generating engaging digital content and media strategies.

Lauren Thelen, Programming Director  – Nashville Film Festival

Lauren previously worked at Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival managing the Education Outreach Program with a background focusing on media literacy and programming. This included facilitating and organizing year-round educational screenings for at-risk youth, a three-day international youth film festival and assisting with festival programming. Lauren developed a passion for approaching film from both an entertainment perspective as well as a powerful teaching tool for cross-cultural understanding.

As a film theory professional, Lauren’s work for NashFilm includes helping to plan and execute community-driven programming, writing for film, event management, public speaking and educating youth on the power of film.

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NashFilm Board of Directors

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