Mary Fessenden, who has served as managing director of Cornell Cinema since 1987, has been named the organization's new director. The appointment, which was effective July 1, was made by Professor David Bathrick, chair of the Department of Theatre, Film and Dance, formerly the Department of Theatre Arts. Fessenden succeeds Steve Tremble.
"We are extremely pleased to have Mary Fessenden as director of Cornell Cinema," Bathrick said. "She has been an invaluable part of the growth of the Cinema over the recent years and will surely provide strong leadership in the challenging years to come."
Prior to joining Cornell, Fessenden was marketing and publicity director and general manager of Central Casting Theatre Company in Ithaca.
Fessenden holds a master's degree in arts administration from SUNY Binghamton and has held internships with Sydney Opera House in Australia, among other arts organizations.
In addition to her responsibilities as managing director at Cornell Cinema, Fessenden also programmed the IthaKid Film Festival, something she will continue to do as director.
Cornell Cinema offers an array of programming for the campus and Ithaca community, presenting more than 700 screenings year-round. Along with its regular showings, Cornell Cinema sponsors or co-sponsors film festivals with various university departments and programs.
Among the changes Fessenden will oversee is rescheduling of Sunday matinees from 4:30 to 2:30 p.m., a change suggested by Cinema patrons, she said. In addition, a 5:15 p.m. Thursday matinee will be added.
With regard to programming, Fessenden said she plans to open up the process to guest curators from both inside and outside Cornell.
"I'd like to take advantage of the film expertise that exists outside the organization by offering guest curatorships to film scholars, critics, filmmakers and others," she said.