FIRST PERSON
If You Build It
Lynn Selassie, Montclair
Film Festival Capital
Campaign Co-Chair
I
t was lucky for Montclair and
its film festival that resident
Lynn Selassie is the friend and
neighbor of Warren Ross, a
founding member of the
beloved local showcase.
He tapped the former technology
developer to help spearhead its
capital campaign, and make the
Investors Bank Film & Media Center
a reality. We talked to Selassie about
the role of filmmaking in the life of
the town, and her own.
THE BACKSTORY
I was born and raised in Chicago.
My training is in product development
and marketing for consumer packaged
goods. In 1999, I was recruited to work in
technology, and moved to Montclair.
This was in the early days of wireless
telecom, and I was involved in the
creation of TV on airplanes.
SEGUE TO MFF
As an at-home mom, I’ve done a lot of
volunteer work in Montclair. Warren
knew that once my kids got bigger –
they’re 11 and 9 now – I’d be looking for
something to sink my teeth into and to
get involved with.
A HOME OF THEIR OWN
PHOTO BY ANNE-MARIE CARUSO; MAKEUP FOR SELASSIE
AND ROCHE BY SUSANA CANARIO, BOBBI BROWN STUDIO
24
MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE MAY 2016
Investors Bank donated the building at
505 Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair to us,
and we want to move into it in spring
2017. When the renovation is complete,
there will be a micro-cinema seating 75,
and a main hall usable for public parties
that can accommodate 200 people,
cocktail-style. There will be a gorgeous
entry lobby and box office, with a donor
wall designated for people who’ve
stepped up to support the project. The
lower concourse will feature an education center with two classrooms and a
flexible wall that can be reconfigured
into one large space. The recording
booth and administrative offices will be
on the second floor.