New director in place to head FIU Miami Film Festival

An individual who was raised in Miami and has been both a respected journalist covering the film and television industries over the past eight years as well as a writer for them has been named head of the FIU Miami Film Festival.

David C. Poland, author of the widely read, Internet-based entertainment industry column, "The Hot Button," assumed his new duties last month as festival director.

In addition to writng his column, Poland, 36, has served in recent years in roles ranging from editor-in-chief of Turner Network Television's roughcut.com website to consultant on the Bermuda International Film Festival. His coverage of the entertainment industry has appeared in such publications as Entertainment Weekly, The Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer and many others.

"David's intimate, personal knowledge of both the motion picture industry and film festivals combined with his appreciation of what the FIU Miami Film Festival can be made him a perfect choice for this postion," said FIU Visce President for Advancement & Marketing Dale C. Webb.

Poland grew up in Miami, spending a year in the University of Miami's fledgling film program after graduating from Ransom-Everglades High School in 1981. From there, he entered New York University, where he earned a bachelor's degree with a double major in Film and Politics. He worked in off-Broadway theatrical productions and for the Lou Harris polling firm before joining Saturday Night Live's film unit as production coordinator in 1985.

From 1987-'91, Poland worked in New York as a television producer, as an advertising executive and as a corporate sponsorship representative on the 1990-'91 Fleetwood Mac World Tour. He wrote for television and film between '91 and '92 before becoming a journalist covering entertainment in 1993.

David C. Poland

Poland joined the staff of Entertainment Weekly in 1995 for a two-year stint. He moved to the world of the Internet in 1997, launching daily ("The Hot Button") and weekly ("The Whole Picture") columns, serving as a host for live discussions on Yahoo! and joining TNT's roughcut.com. With Poland as editor-in-chief, the latter was subsequently named "Best Movie Website" by Yahoo! Internet Life. In 1999, he branched out to radio and television, adding co-host duties on KABC Radio's "The Movie Show" and guest spots on Roger Ebert & The Movies.

"David has both the experience and the film industry contacts to lead our

efforts in putting together an exciting, engaging FIU Miami Film Festival for 2002, even though he'll be working on a shortened timeline" said FIU Associate Vice President for Advancement & Marketing Pauline Winick, who oversees Festival operations. "It's going to be a tremendous experience to work with someone who not only shares our vision of making this festival a true 'destination event,' but who enthusiastically embraces it."