AFAI - Nonprofit Information

ATHENS FILM ARTS INSTITUTE

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—under the stewardship of THE ATHENS FILM ARTS INSTITUTE (AFAI), an all-volunteer Athens-based Board of Directors—Ciné reflects and celebrates the complex tapestry of the community we serve. AFAI ensures that Ciné can continue its unique and vital role in Athens’ cultural life, helping to make our town a better place to live, work, visit, and do business. Our mission to inspire, educate, and build community through art and culture is at the core of everything we do.

Diversity and inclusion are core to our mission, and Ciné will continue working towards creating a diverse, warm and welcoming environment for all. We’re committed to this for our business and for the community. Cine serves all members of the community regardless of age, race, color, religion, creed, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

BOARD OF ADVISORS

Ruta Abolins
Ruta Abolins is Director of the Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia. She loves independent and classic films and prefers seeing them on the big screen. She is a past board president of the Athens Film Arts Institute.

Matthew H. Bernstein
Matthew H. Bernstein is Department Chair of Film and Media Studies at Emory University where he also holds the Goodrich C. White Professor. He serves on the National Film Preservation Board for the Library of Congress. In Atlanta, he has been co-chair of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and is a member of its Board of Directors. He has hosted The Cinema Club on Sundays since 1998 and is on the Board of Directors for the Plaza Theater Foundation and organizes the Emory Cinémathèque each semester. Matthew Bernstein has written and edited six books and scores of significant articles.

Cassie Bryant

Brian Carney

Dave Marr
Dave Marr is the communications director of the Willson Center for Humanities and Arts at UGA. He served on AFAI, Ciné’s nonprofit Board of Directors, from 2011-2019, including as chair from 2016-2017. Before joining the Willson Center, he served as Flagpole’s film columnist and city editor. Dave holds degrees in film studies and journalism from UGA.

Carl Martin
Carl Martin is co-owner of D.O.C. Unlimited in Athens, GA and served on AFAI, Ciné’s nonprofit Board of Directors, from 2011-2019. D.O.C. Unlimited projects range from large scale (+20k square feet) commercial design rehabilitations to very small scale residential construction. Past experience includes projects as lead designer for projects in New York City and Savannah, GA., and included in that range is the building that AFAI dba Cine’ now owns.

Peter Smith

Margie Spalding

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