Holden Payne

Holden Payne is a seasoned professional in the film festival industry, currently serving as the Technical Director of Exhibition and Production at Sundance Institute. His career spans several decades and includes significant experience in film festival operations and technical management.

Career Highlights

Holden has held key positions in prestigious film organizations:

• Technical Director of Exhibition and Production at Sundance Institute (2013-present)3
• Manager of Theatre and Technical Operations at Palm Springs International Film Festival (2004-2013)3
• General Manager of Operations and Director of Operations at Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF)

Education and Background

Holden holds a Masters degree in Film Festival Production and Operations from the School of Hard Knocks, where he also studied Production and Staging, and Film/Cinema/Video Studies. His passion for film began early in life, growing up in Alaska where he and his friends consumed movies voraciously.1

Expertise and Responsibilities

As the Technical Director at Sundance, Holden is responsible for:

• Ensuring flawless execution of over 700 screenings across more than 30 locations during the festival1
• Overseeing the transition from film to digital projection at Sundance1
• Managing technical aspects of Sundance Institute's filmmaker labs and events in Los Angeles and London1

Professional Philosophy

Holden is known for his dedication to providing the best possible experience for both filmmakers and audiences. He emphasizes the importance of proper film delivery and projection, stating, "We cannot have a failure. When we are premiering their film, it is important to me that it is exactly the film they want it to be."1

Industry Insights

With nearly 30 years of experience as a projectionist, Holden has witnessed the evolution of film technology. He notes the transition from 35mm film to digital formats at Sundance and remains enthusiastic about new technologies like virtual reality and immersive sound systems.12

Holden Payne's LinkedIn profile can be found at linkedin.com/in/holden-payne-5b10b09, where he has over 500 connections.4