Executive Team

Avery McCann
Director of Programming
Avery McCann
Director of Programming

Avery is the Director of Programming for the Washington West Film Festival. Avery is also a Programmer at the Annapolis Film Festival. Avery comes to the film festival world with a background in film production. Most recently, Avery co-produced the documentary ANOTHER BODY (SXSW Special Jury Award, Sundance Catalyst)...

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McKenzie Russell
Digital Content Manager
McKenzie Russell
Digital Content Manager

McKenzie joined the Washington West team in 2022 and is our Digital Content Manager. She has a passion for photography, designs that inspire, and well told stories...

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Brad Russell
President & Executive Director
Brad Russell
President & Executive Director

Brad grew up in Virginia and started Washington West in 2011 around the idea that any “Story Can Change the World.” He believes the Film Festival is a catalyst for Washingtonians...

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Christine Bryson
Director of Operations
Christine Bryson
Director of Operations

Christine Bryson joined Washington West Film Festival in February 2018. She serves as our Director of Operations working as “the quarterback”. She believes strongly in Washington West’s vision, which is to to bring world class film and television screenings to the Washington metro region...

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Operations Team

Box Office
Leslie Dominy, Box Office Coordinator

Development
Jonathan Baker, Local Sponsorship Coordinator

Events
Christine Bryson, Director of Operations

Programming
Avery McCann, Director of Programming

Digital Content
McKenzie Russell, Digital Content Manager

Sponsors
Jason Slattery, Sponsor Relations

Volunteers
Volunteer Coordinator
Alton Bryant, Volunteer Relations Coordinator

Board of Directors

Brad Russell
Founder & President
Washington West Film Festival

Brian Jones
Principal Consultant
Table Group

Chris Bess
Global Publicity
The Walt Disney Company

David Fouse
Partner
The Pinkston Group

Mark Maxey
President
Rolling Pictures

Melissa Duenas
Senior Vice President of Communications
Leidos

Sara Georgiades
Regional Community Engagement Manager
Amazon Web Services

Thomas Wear
Partner and Chief Strategy Officer
Atmosphere Digital

Advisory Board

Brad Hall
Bruce Cohen
David Darg
Harold Mintz
Snuffy Walden
Terre Jones