RiverRun International Film Festival (RiverRun) has named Michael C. Morin as Executive Director, and Arts Consulting Group (ACG) extends its congratulations on his leadership appointment. He began his tenure on December 8, 2025.
RiverRun International Film Festival is a nonprofit media arts organization dedicated to the role of cinema as a conduit for powerful ideas and diverse viewpoints. Founded in 1998, RiverRun is a competitive event that annually showcases new films from established and emerging filmmakers around the world. Each spring, RiverRun screens new narrative, documentary, short, student, and animated films, offering both audience and jury prizes in competition categories.
Morin is a producer, writer, and festival executive with more than 20 years’ experience at the intersection of film, music, and live events. He is passionate about building spaces where artists and audiences connect, and where film and music remain accessible, collaborative, and transformative.
For the past seven years, Morin has been a driving force behind the Slamdance Film Festival, producing eight editions and overseeing its landmark relocation from Park City to Los Angeles. Under his leadership, Slamdance achieved record-breaking ticket sales, expanded hybrid programming, and launched new revenue streams, including Slamdance Channel VOD.
Beyond Slamdance, Morin has produced, coordinated, and managed more than 25 productions across film, television, commercials, and music videos. His creative roots also run deep in the music industry, where he booked festivals, ran venues, and tour-managed bands including FIDLAR.
A graduate of the Los Angeles Film School, Morin began his career working with director David O. Russell as his executive and writing assistant, contributing to “The Fighter” (2010) and “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012). As a screenwriter, Morin wrote “This Time Each Year” (2024), Hallmark’s first Christmas movie to center on a character struggling with alcoholism—breaking new ground for the network’s holiday storytelling.
“We’re thrilled Michael is joining us as executive director,” said Denise Gunter, Chair of RiverRun’s board. “Michael’s film festival experience is deep and varied, and we believe that he is the right person to lead RiverRun forward.
“Michael is building on a strong foundation established by Dale Pollock, who brought RiverRun to Winston-Salem, our previous executive directors, our outstanding staff and volunteers, and our dedicated board,” Gunter added. “I am very grateful to the community for its support and for the work of our search committee, consisting of Dale Pollock as Chair, Wanda Starke, Stephanie Nelson, and Deborah LaVine, Dean of the UNCSA School of Filmmaking.”
“What draws me most to RiverRun is its deep community involvement and commitment to education. Throughout my career, I’ve prioritized inclusive programming, industry engagement, and artist-first principles—strengthening local ties while maintaining a global reach,” Morin said. “My experience managing multi-format festivals, supervising diverse staff and volunteers, and launching long-term sponsor relationships would translate seamlessly into RiverRun’s collaborative ecosystem."
ACG is the leading provider of hands-on interim management, executive search, revenue enhancement, strategic planning & community engagement, and facilities & program planning and research services for the arts and culture industry. ACG consultants are located in communities across the United States and Canada to best serve the needs of our clients. ACG team members have decades of combined senior leadership experience in every artistic and cultural discipline and area of functional management expertise.