Firelight Media Appoints Loira Limbal as President and CEO (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Addie Morfoot Contributor Loira Limbal has been appointed president and CEO of Firelight Media. Limbal succeeds Marcia Smith, who co-founded the nonprofit organization with her husband, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Stanley Nelson (“Attica”) in 2000.

Firelight supports, provides resources to and advocates on behalf of documentary filmmakers of color. Smith, who announced her departure from Firelight Media in July 2024, stayed on as interim president and CEO while the company held a nationwide search for her replacement.

Limbal will assume her new position on June 1. “We could not be more thrilled with the appointment of Loira Limbal as Firelight Media’s next president and CEO,” Nelson and Smith said in a joint statement. “As Firelight transitions from being a founder-led organization for its 25 years of existence, and at such a pivotal time for the documentary industry, Loira is the ideal person to ensure the longevity of the organization for the next 25 years and beyond.

We know Loira will bring visionary leadership, new energy, and organizational acumen to this role, as she has for the last 16 years in her staff and consulting roles.” Limbal served as Firelight Media’s senior vice president of programs until 2021.