Introducing: Your New Stage 32 Director of Community

Hi there, Stage 32! I’m Shellie Schmals, Stage 32 Director of Community and self-declared Cheerleader of Creativity!

Previously, I was the Senior Program & Industry Relations Manager at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, where I played a lead role in selecting the nearly 800 films that are considered for each annual Festival. I currently sit on the national board of the Film Festival Alliance (FFA), state-wide Georgia Production Partnership (GPP) as Membership Chair. Locally, I am the Vice President of Programming for the Women in Film & Television Atlanta where I coordinate WIFTA industry panels at Dragon Con (Film Track) and Cinema Life Collective, and previously held positions as the co-chair of the WIFTA Short Film & Talent Showcase and WIFTA Secretary.

I also spend time as Creative Director of The Springs Cinema & Taphouse in Atlanta, Georgia designing immersive film programming for cult classics, new favorites, horror films, and iconic ’80s with dance, comedy, music, fashion, and fun!

I believe in the power of artists collaborating to accomplish their goals, learn new tricks, and help lift each other in an industry that can sometimes feel isolating. I’m consistently impressed with how Stage 32 members are building camaraderie and helping each other up the career ladder, one relationship at a time…