Katha Cato is the Founding Executive Director of the Queens World Film Festival and Co-Founder of chipAway Productions. A producer, educator and award winning improviser, she has spent more than four decades creating opportunities for artists to connect, collaborate and share their work. Under her leadership, Queens World has grown into an internationally recognized filmmaker centered festival known for its thoughtful programming, meaningful conversations and commitment to emerging voices. The festival has been recognized by MovieMaker Magazine and was named Best Annual Festival Event in Queens by Schneps Media.

Katha earned a BA from California Polytechnic University, an MFA from the University of Oregon and completed Executive Education at Columbia Business School. In the 1980s she moved to New York with For Play Improvised Theatre, helping introduce long form improvisation and the Herald format to the city’s growing improv community. She is the recipient of a MAC Award, two Backstage Bistro Awards, the PASEsetter Award and numerous recognitions for her leadership in arts education and community development.

Today Katha produces films, festivals, workshops and public conversations that bring people together through creativity. Her recent return to improvisation has inspired a new series of performances and professional development workshops focused on collaboration, communication and building creative communities.

Explore Katha’s improv performances and workshops:

• Katha Cato: REassembled
• Process in Progress
• One Community, Inifinite Voices
• Getting into the room