“From the beginning, Maria has been a passionate supporter of LGBT films and filmmakers,” said Founder Kathy Wolfe. “She has played an integral role in the growth of our company and we will miss her incredible talent, dedication and passion.”
During her tenure at Wolfe, Lynn helped navigate the company through the many changes in the industry, including transitions from VHS to DVD to Blu-ray and Digital Streaming, thereby promoting the visibility of LGBT films around the world. Wolfe is internationally recognized as the leader in LGBT film distribution. Lynn’s vision was instrumental in developing strategies that placed the genre in mainstream retail, television and VOD platforms, and she forged strategic partnerships to ensure that LGBT culture gained the national prominence it has today.
“Wolfe has been an amazing journey and I will forever be grateful for the experience of working with our partners, filmmakers and the Wolfe Pack,” said Maria Lynn.
Jim Stephens, who was named Co-President last year, will assume the role of President. Stephens, who since July 2013 has sat on Wolfe’s Board of Directors, has an extensive background in LGBT filmmaking. He’s worked on the releases of award-winning LGBT films such as Reaching for the Moon, I Am Divine, Free Fall, Pit Stop, Five Dances and Tru Love. He also served as executive producer on Love Is Strange, Getting Go: The Go Doc Project and is co-producer of the upcoming Ten Thousand Saints starring Ethan Hawke, Emile Hirsch and Hailee Steinfeld.
“I enjoyed working with Maria as Co-President and have deep respect for her and the company that she helped build with Kathy,” said Stephens. “With the company celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year, I look forward to continuing the Wolfe legacy of distributing high-quality LGBT films and guiding the company into the future.”
In addition to his film credits, Stephens served on the Board of Directors of Frameline, the nonprofit media arts organization that produces the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival (2008-2013) and was the Board President in 2013. He also served on the national Board of Directors of Lambda Legal (2008-2012.) Previously he was Senior Vice President Worldwide Sales and Field Operations at Adobe Systems, the pioneer and leader of digital arts media, where he was employed for more than 15 years. He is a member of the Producers Guild of America.
