David Heurtel Speaks To Prost Amerika

David Heurtel is the new Chief Marketing Officer of SIFF Group. His extensive past experience includes Director of Marketing and Business Development at Seattle Center, Director of Television Sales and Development at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, communications advisor to the Office of the Premier of Quebec and membership in the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. A member of the Quebec Bar Association, he practiced entertainment and administrative law in Montreal. He talked to us about his new job.

Prost Amerika: How are you settling to your new role?

David Heurtel: One month in and feels great. The full-time staff is dedicated and passionate and easy to work with. Can't say enough about their level of commitment to the SIFF Group. It's very energizing. Same for the SIFF members and the SIFF Board. This is an exciting time to be part of SIFF.

Prost Amerika: What are the major challenges facing you?

David Heurtel: In the last year SIFF has faced enormous growth which is exciting but at the same time brings major challenges. For the last 33 years, the organization has been centered on the Festival. With the addition of SIFF Cinema, our year-round screening venue at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall, SIFF has to think as a year-round organization. It's not just about SIFF Festival anymore. SIFF has had to re-organize itself as a year-round, 52-weeks/year operation. This means changing the way we look at marketing-communications and business development while still developing the largest film festival in the U.S. and one of the great international film festivals.

Prost Amerika: You have quite an extensive and interesting bio, what unique aspects do you bring to the job?

David Heurtel: What my bio does not reflect is first and foremost my love of film. On the business side, I bring entertainment law, marketing-communications and business development backgrounds in the non-profit, private and government sectors. Furthermore, most of my experiences have been tied to the arts and major festivals in one way or another. Having worked on the SIFF Cinema and SIFF Film Center projects with SIFF for over a year when I was at Seattle Center gives me a great perspective on what SIFF is and where it's going.

Prost Amerika: You are credited with bringing the VERA Project to the Seattle Center. What was the motivation behind this move?

David Heurtel: VERA is a great organization that needed a new home and Seattle Center needed to partner with organizations that could help it bring more teens to the Center. I thought is was a great fit.

Prost Amerika: Would you describe yourself as a film fan?

David Heurtel: Enormous film fan. Film is one of my great passions.

Prost Amerika: How important is the 'International' in Seattle International Film Festival?

David Heurtel: In my opinion it is fundamental and one of the reasons today it is the largest film festival in the United States. This year we had films from 63 countries. I think the truly international characteristic is what makes SIFF truly one of best film festivals in the world and why people keep coming back and why new audiences come each year. Filmgoers know that at SIFF they will discover stories from all over the world that they would not otherwise discover.

Prost Amerika: Prost Amerika thought that Quebecois Cinema was one of the highlights of SIFF 2007, are you a fan of the genre?

David Heurtel: Bien sur! This is what I grew up on in Montreal.

Prost Amerika: How did you enjoy working in comedy?

David Heurtel: Great learning experience. Almost 5 years at the largest comedy festival in the world was very challenging and allowed me to grow.

Prost Amerika: Do you see your teaching at College of Arts & Sciences at Seattle University as in any way connected with your new role, or is it teaching just a passion of yours?

David Heurtel: Absolutely. Teaching marketing allows me to revisit basic notions and apply them to the modern challenges SIFF is facing. I always learn when I teach. Teaching is also one of my passions

Prost Amerika: In an ideal world, what would you like to achieve in the next 3 years

David Heurtel: Get the word out here and abroad about the Festival and SIFF Cinema so that more people discover this world-class film institution.

Prost Amerika: What is your favorite film?

David Heurtel: Difficult question, there so many but if I have to pick one: Les Invasions Barbares (The Barbarian Invasions).

October 23, 2007