When Out On Film’s new Executive Director Cindy L. Abel talks about film, she doesn’t begin with cameras, scripts, or red carpets. She begins with people.
For more than 25 years, Cindy has believed stories have the power to bring people together, challenge assumptions, and inspire action. Whether directing award-winning documentaries, leading nonprofit organizations, or helping organizations navigate transformational change, she has always been driven by one question:
How can storytelling help shape a better world?
As the organization’s new Executive Director, Cindy joins one of the world’s leading LGBTQ+ film festivals at an exciting moment in its history. For nearly four decades, Out On Film has celebrated bold LGBTQ+ storytelling while growing into one of the world’s leading queer film festivals, earning recognition as an Academy Award®-qualifying festival and four-time USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice winner.
Earlier this year, that impact reached Hollywood’s biggest stage when Two People Exchanging Saliva—which qualified through the Out On Film screening at the 2025 festival—went on to tie for the Academy Award® for Best Live Action Short.
“It’s an incredible legacy,” Cindy says. “Out On Film has earned a reputation for championing extraordinary filmmakers and creating a welcoming space where LGBTQ+ stories can be seen, celebrated, and shared. I’m honored to become part of that story.”
A Career Built on Storytelling
Her career has been defined by the intersection of storytelling and leadership. In 2007, she founded Atlantis Moon Productions, producing documentaries exploring social justice, human rights, and underrepresented voices. Alongside her filmmaking, she’s led nonprofit organizations through strategic communications, fundraising, and organizational growth, helping mission-driven organizations navigate change while keeping people at the center of their work.
“Whether you’re making a documentary or leading an organization, the work is really about helping people understand one another,” she says. “Stories build empathy, and empathy builds community.”
Why Out On Film?
For Cindy, Out On Film represents something much bigger than an annual festival. "It's a community built around storytelling," she says.
Throughout the year, Out On Film brings together filmmakers, audiences, volunteers, and community partners through screenings, conversations, educational programs, and special events.
"Every screening begins a conversation," she says. "Film doesn't just entertain—it helps us understand one another."
The World We're Making
Those ideas are reflected in this year's festival theme: The World We're Making. The campaign celebrates the belief that queer cinema doesn't simply reflect the world—it helps shape it. That means:
Every filmmaker who shares a story.
Every audience member who experiences it.
Every volunteer who welcomes guests.
Every sponsor and donor who invests in the mission.
Every conversation that continues long after the credits roll.
"I love that this theme reminds us the work is never finished," Cindy says. "Every film invites us to see the world—and each other—a little differently. That's how communities grow."
Why Stories Matter—Especially Now
Throughout history, the arts have helped people navigate moments of uncertainty and change. Out On Film has proudly been part of that tradition.
In 2013, the festival presented Bridegroom, bringing Shane Bitney Crone to Atlanta for conversations with audiences that demonstrated how film can inspire compassion, dialogue, and action.
“For me, that’s the power of art,” Cindy says. “A great film doesn’t end when the credits roll. It stays with us, inspires conversations we might not have otherwise, and sometimes even moves us to act.”
Building on a Strong Foundation
Cindy is quick to acknowledge the strong foundation already in place.
Under Festival Director Jim Farmer’s artistic leadership, Out On Film has become one of the world’s premier LGBTQ+ film festivals. As Executive Director, Cindy will focus on organizational strategy, fundraising, partnerships, marketing, operations, and long-term sustainability while working alongside Jim, the Board, staff, volunteers, and supporters.
"The Board recognized that Out On Film has reached an important moment in its growth," she says. "Jim will continue to lead the festival's artistic vision while I focus on the organization's strategic growth and sustainability. Together, we're creating a leadership model that positions Out On Film for an even stronger future."
Next year’s 40th anniversary represents more than a celebration of Out On Film’s past—it’s an opportunity to imagine what’s next. Her vision is to continue championing bold filmmakers, welcoming new audiences, fostering meaningful dialogue, and ensuring queer stories remain a vital part of our shared cultural conversation.
"At Out On Film, we believe the stories we celebrate today help shape the world we'll live in tomorrow," she says. "That's what The World We're Making means to me. Together, we’re creating a place where authentic LGBTQ+ stories continue to entertain, challenge, inspire, and remind us of what connects us all.”
Because in the end, the most powerful stories don’t simply reflect the world. They help us imagine—and create—a better one.