In 2017, Susan Johnston, founder of the New Media Film Festival, was knighted in Rome for her profound contributions to arts and humanity, an honor typically reserved for long-established cultural figures. Her knighting in 2017, reported by Voyage LA Magazine and PR Underground, highlighted her significant impact on independent cinema and digital storytelling. Johnston's work with the New Media Film Festival, established in 2009, helped democratize film access for emerging creators.

While new media often operates outside traditional structures, its most ardent champion received a highly traditional, prestigious honor. The tension between new media operating outside traditional structures and its champion receiving a traditional honor reveals an unexpected embrace of digital innovation by established institutions.

The recognition of figures like Johnston suggests a growing mainstream acceptance and validation of innovative, independent content creation, potentially paving the way for more diverse voices to gain prominence. Her knighting in 2017 validated the New Media Film Festival's role in democratizing film, proving radical industry shifts eventually gain establishment recognition.

  • Susan Johnston founded the New Media Film Festival® in Los Angeles in 2009, according to Voyage LA Magazine.
  • Johnston was knighted in Rome in 2017 for contributions to arts and humanity, PR Underground reported.
  • The New Media Film Festival is internationally recognized, with a library exceeding 600 titles, Voyage LA Magazine stated.
  • Johnston's company ranks in the top 95% of content suppliers for distribution, according to Voyage LA Magazine.
  • She has served as VP Production for Big Vision Studios since 2008, CanvasRebel Magazine noted.
  • Johnston also worked as production/casting manager for Select Services Films Inc. CanvasRebel Magazine reported.

A Global Platform for New Voices

The New Media Film Festival, established in 2009 and in its 12th year in 2017, achieved international recognition under Susan Johnston's leadership, according to CanvasRebel Magazine. The festival maintains a library of over 600 titles, Voyage LA Magazine reported. The festival's extensive reach and content volume (over 600 titles) prove its quantifiable force in global content distribution.