IMAGE Film & Video Center welcomed Paul Marchant as Festivals Director. Marchant will oversee programming of the 26^th Annual Atlanta Film & Video Festival (AFVF) (May 31-June 8, 2002) and the 15^th Anniversary Out on Film: Atlanta's Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (November 2002).

"We are pleased to welcome Paul to the staff of IMAGE. His experience with film festivals and with the Association of Independent Video and Film makers in New York will help our two festivals attract better films and serve our audiences as we enter an exciting period of growth," stated IMAGE's Executive Director, Brian Newman.

A native of Savannah, Marchant attended the University of Georgia where he earned a B.A.J. in 1999. While earning his degree in Athens, he joined the 1^st Annual Athens Film Festival as Managing Director and later co-founded and co-directed the Athens’ Kudzu Film Festival. Prior to joining IMAGE, Marchant also produced the 8^th Annual and "Best of" Short Attention Span Film and Video Festival programs and most recently served as Membership Director at the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers in New York.

"I'm very excited to be a part of IMAGE, an organization that is so instrumental in nurturing the Southern film and video community. Recently, both the AFVF and Out on Film festivals have enjoyed an increase in size and stature, and I hope to contribute to their continued success," said Marchant.

IMAGE unveiled a new logo to accompany the gay and lesbian film festival, Out on Film, held in Novem ber. Meetings regarding the festival and other volunteer opportunities with IMAGE will be held on the third Thursday of every month at Innovox Lounge on Ponce de Leon Avenue.