Merrill Sterritt Head of Alliances and Cultural Engagement, Cinereach

Advocating for increased funding and accessibility for under-resourced and marginalized filmmaking communities. 

As the Head of Alliances and Cultural Engagement, Merrill Sterritt has expanded Cinereach’s impact by developing methods of support for regional and community-focused film organizations and collectives. She firmly believes there is no sustainable, ethical or equitable path forward for the independent film industry without a diversification of field leaders and gatekeepers and a decentralization of power. Prior to joining Cinereach, Merrill co-founded Film Presence in 2010, where she lead theatrical outreach campaigns to connect films with crucial audiences from outside the arthouse bubble. Merrill has also worked in post-production and managed the Production Assistance Program at Women Make Movies.