Susan Sarandon, Thomas Morgan, Scott Mantz & Cecelia Peck Join Forces with San Diego International Film Festival

The San Diego Film Foundation, best known for presenting The San Diego International Film Festival (SDIFF) each October, announces dynamic additions to the San Diego Film Foundation Board of Directors and the Social Justice Advisory Board for the San Diego International Film Festival.

Emmy-Nominated Filmmaker Cecilia Peck and Film Critic and Emmy-Nominated Producer Scott Mantz (formerly of "Access Hollywood") have joined the San Diego Film Foundation Board of Directors. Producer and Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon and award winning filmmaker Thomas Morgan join the Social Impact Advisory Board for the San Diego International Film Festival.

Tonya Mantooth, CEO and Artistic Director of the Festival shared: "We are experiencing a wonderful period of growth for the San Diego Film Foundation and the San Diego International Film Festival both with our artistic reach and our professional partnerships. We are thankful to be surrounded by a community of professionals who are passionate about film and its capacity to transform perspectives and create empathy. As we continue to grow the festival, the films we are able to access, and its impact on San Diego - we are thrilled to have the voices and perspectives of Cecilia, Scott, Susan and Thomas to help guide us forward."

Cecilia Peck, Emmy Nominated Filmmaker and daughter of Gregory Peck, shared: "I have been involved with the Gregory Peck Award for the past three years at the San Diego International Film Festival which has been a wonderful way to celebrate my father and honor the work he accomplished both on camera and in the community. I have watched the festival make incredible artistic leaps and grow its impact. Joining the Board of Directors for the San Diego Film Foundation is a natural progression for me to help continue to be a part of that forward momentum."

Emmy Nominated Film Critic, Scott Mantz shared: "I've been involved with the San Diego Film Foundation and the San Diego International Film Festival since it changed leadership six years ago. The growth and progression with Tonya at the helm has been explosive. For a film advocate like myself - it is an honor to work to premiere films at the Festival that go on to become award winners and have an impact on the film industry. Partnering with the Pendry SD Hotel as our festival headquarters for the second year is another exciting piece of the puzzle as the San Diego International Film Festival continues to grow its economic impact on San Diego. Those high profile screenings and partnerships serve to support the continued growth of the Independent Film Industry that depend on the festival circuit to find their audience."

Susan Sarandon was the Executive Producer of Storied Streets, a documentary on homelessness that was screened during the 2016 SD International Film Festival, and later toured the San Diego School system as a part of the 2017 FOCUS on Impact Film Tour. Sarandon is an advocate of social change through film and a new member of the Festivals Social Impact Advisory Board. "Our passion for making documentaries allows us to shine a light on issues of social justice both here at home and around the globe. But making the film is only the first step. To have an impact, the film has to be seen. We are so grateful to the San Diego Intl Film Festival for their partnership to take Storied Streets into the classrooms where it made such a difference in the overall understanding of the issue of homelessness and provide students with the knowledge and compassion to make changes within their own community," said Sarandon.

Filmmaker Thomas Morgan, who has worked closely with Mantooth and the festival for the last 3 years is now joining the Festival Social Justice Advisory Board shared: "Last year, I had the wonderful experience of touring in the San Diego schools with Storied Streets - our documentary on homelessness for the SDFF FOCUS on Impact Film Tour. Tonya and I have a shared interest in telling stories that help us examine important topics, and encourage the next generation to be change makers. I have seen this focus both in the Social Justice Track of the Festival and the FOCUS on Impact school tour. I am looking forward to helping the Festival continue to explore this important area of film as a member of the Social Justice Advisory Board."

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

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