Lots of people in Ann Arbor already consider the Michigan Theater's executive director and CEO Russ Collins to be "kind of a big deal," but Collins' inclusion on Indiewire Influencers list would appear to make it official.

Here's an excerpt from a press release issued by the Michigan Theater.

Michigan Theater executive director Russ Collins has been named to the inaugural Indiewire Influencers list, along with 39 other film industry movers and shakers such as Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Forest Whitaker, Robert Rodriguez, and Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League. According to Indiewire, this "list of the smartest, most innovative and forward-thinking filmmakers, content producers, distributors, financiers and curators who are turning the creative world on its head" includes "people and companies who are bending technology to their creative wills, and, in turn, providing filmmakers and film lovers with the tools that allow the best content to be created and discovered in the 21st century." Read more at indiewire.com/article/welcome-to-the-2013-indiewire-infuencers and check out Russ' interview at indiewire.com/influencers/collins-russ.

Jenn McKee is an entertainment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.