Jackie Brenneman Becomes IFTA President & CEO

The Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) has named Jackie Brenneman as its next president and CEO, succeeding Jean Prewitt, who is stepping down at the end of the month after 25 years of leading the organization.

Brenneman joins IFTA after a career spanning organizational leadership, government relations, legal practice and nonprofit oversight. She spent nearly a decade at NATO, eventually becoming executive VP and general counsel. Her work encompassed competition and regulatory matters, advocacy on copyright and trade policy, revenue and partnership development and even management. She led NATO’s industry relief efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic, including its Save Our Screens initiative, and was president of The Cinema Foundation.

Most recently, Brenneman served as CEO of Attend, a theatrical marketplace connecting independent filmmakers directly with exhibitors to expand distribution opportunities.

“Jackie brings industry insight, legal and lobbying expertise and a proven record of guiding complex membership organizations,” said Paul Bales, chairperson at IFTA and partner and COO of The Asylum. “Her deep appreciation of how business, public affairs and creative communities intersect and her experience navigating the fast pace of evolution in our industry and the challenges it presents, especially for independent companies, make her uniquely qualified to lead IFTA and AFM into their next chapter. We look forward to working closely with her.”

“This is a pivotal moment for the independent film and television community, which has always been defined by risk-taking and innovation,” Brenneman said. “As the industry undergoes rapid transformation—through consolidation, new financing structures and evolving models of production and distribution—independents are uniquely positioned to shape new paths forward and lead the next phase of change.

“Thanks to the strong foundation Jean has built, IFTA and AFM are entering this next chapter from a position of real strength. Having seen firsthand the power of collaboration across the independent sector, I’m excited to work with our members and with new partners across the global ecosystem to ensure that IFTA and AFM continue to evolve as the premier platforms where independent creativity, innovative business models and meaningful dealmaking come together.”

Bales further added, “On behalf of the board, I want to sincerely thank Jean Prewitt for her extraordinary leadership over the past 25 years and for the profound impact she has had not only on IFTA, but on the independent industry at large.”

“I am incredibly proud of what the IFTA community and AFM have become and continually inspired by the creativity and commitment of our members and team,” Prewitt commented. “Jackie’s experience and understanding of this industry position her exceptionally well to lead both the Alliance and AFM forward and to support the entrepreneurial spirit and needs of the Independents.”