
James Woolley
James Woolley, the newly appointed Executive Director of Miami Dade College’s acclaimed Miami Film Festival (MFF), brings a wealth of experience and a dynamic vision to one of the city’s most celebrated cultural events. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Woolley has been at the forefront of organizing and running major film festivals across the globe, from Sydney to San Francisco, demonstrating his expertise in festival management, programming, and marketing.
Born into a family with deep ties to the film industry—his grandparents were subscribers to the Sydney Film Festival, where his parents enjoyed their dates—Woolley’s passion for film and the arts was ingrained from an early age. After earning a bachelor’s degree in creative arts from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, he embarked on a journey that saw him start from the ground up in the festival circuit. Over the years, Woolley has worked on more than 20 large-scale film festivals, including those in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, showcasing his ability to manage complex events and cater to diverse audiences.
In 2017, Woolley was named the head of marketing and customer relations at the Sydney Film Festival, where he played a crucial role in rebranding the organization and implementing strategies to increase attendance. His leadership skills and innovative approach to festival management were further recognized during his tenure as the Executive Director of Frameline, the world’s longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival and one of the largest on the West Coast. There, Woolley demonstrated his ability to elevate festival profiles and connect with international audiences.
As the new Executive Director of MFF, Woolley is committed to enhancing the festival’s international programming and furthering its reach to audiences in Miami and beyond. His experience in developing programming, marketing, and box office operations, coupled with his passion for film and the arts, positions him as an ideal leader to drive the Miami Film Festival into its next chapter.
Woolley’s arrival at MFF comes at a transformative time for the arts in Miami, with the festival playing a pivotal role in the city’s cultural landscape. With plans to nurture relationships with filmmakers, distributors, sponsors, donors, and the local film community, Woolley is poised to elevate MFF’s reputation on the international stage, ensuring its legacy and prestige are recognized worldwide. His ambition to build on the festival’s success and chart a new vision for the future reflects a deep commitment to enhancing the vibrant arts and cultural scene in Miami.


