The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival's outgoing executive director, Courtney Pledger, expressed confidence in the future of the prestigious annual event after she was named the new executive director of the Arkansas Educational Television Network earlier this week.
Pledger, who is set to start at AETN on March 20, has been the film festival's executive director since 2012.
"I'm pleased to say that HSDFF is extremely sound and healthy, both financially and creatively. Support from and partnership with the Hot Springs community and beyond, as well as increasing support from Hot Springs city organizations, will ensure that HSDFF continues its impressive growth and remains one of the top cultural events in Arkansas and the region, as well as a strong driver for tourism in Arkansas and Garland County."
Though it has not yet been determined who will fill Pledger's position, she said she plans to work with the Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute board of directors during the transition to help make sure that HSDFF remains a world-class festival.
"Many people have invested tremendous time and energy in HSDFF and we have come a long way," she said.
In addition to a number of jobs in film, Pledger has worked as an independent producer for CBS, ABC and NBC, vice president of television for the IndieProd Company, and director of television for Hearst Entertainment. Her first job during her college years was at a public television station, "so coming full circle feels wonderful to me," she said.
"I've had a lifelong love of public television and a deep respect for its service to Arkansans and the people of our country," she said. "I am elated to become a part of what AETN and public television as a whole contribute to our world."
Pledger said AETN is far more than a TV station; it is Arkansas' only statewide public television network that promotes lifelong learning for people from all walks of life.
AETN is one of 349 PBS member stations in a strong nationwide network that delivers award-winning Arkansas-made productions and renowned PBS programming aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers.
"Education is a top priority for AETN; we offer programs to help Arkansas children build critical literacy, math, technical and social skills," Pledger said. "Educators rely on AETN digital content to bring classroom lessons to life, and also to access thousands of hours of state-mandated teacher training that levels the playing field for teachers across our state, offering them all an equal level of excellence."
Programs like multiple Emmy Award-winning "Champion Trees," "Silent Storytellers," "Dream Land: Little Rock's West 9th Street," "Exploring Arkansas" and "Arkansans Ask" are among those showcased on AETN.
Pledger said she believes AETN has the tools to tell the story of Arkansas in ways that no one else can and is a voice for all Arkansans, poised to reach the people of the state in more ways than ever before.
"As executive director of AETN, I will work with the incredible team at the network to make certain we continue to serve all the people of our state, every inch of our state, rural and metropolitan, students and educators, and with the help of a growing number of digital platforms, provide education for all," she said.
Though Pledger said AETN will always speak first and foremost to Arkansans on the subjects that matter most to Arkansas, AETN also has the ability to reach audiences beyond Arkansas' borders, offering more opportunities to showcase Arkansas both nationally and internationally. "With our rich past and limitless future, I know that AETN will never be at a loss for stories to tell," she said.
"As I leave my role as executive director of HSDFF, I want to thank Dorothy Morris for her focused determination for HSDFF. Without her, all we have accomplished would not have been even remotely possible. I thank the huge number of donors, sponsors and partners, the Hot Springs community and the Arkansas community who have made the survival and growth of HSDFF possible, and hope that they will continue their support for years to come.
"I am deeply grateful for the dedication and spirit of board Chairman Don Gooch and the board of directors of HSDFF, and the extremely hard work of associate director and logistics manager Megan Baker, as well as for our many wonderful volunteers who repeatedly give of their time and energy to make the festival the warm, loving and unique event that it is," Pledger said.
Local on 03/11/2017