The Sydney Film Festival announced today, via NSW Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality, Racing and the Arts, George Souris, that Nashen Moodley has been appointed the new director of the Sydney Film Festival. He will take up the position in January 2012.
Moodley replaces Clare Stewart, who served as the director for the last five years, and will step down from his current role as Manager/Head of Programming of the Durban International Film Festival, South Africa’s longest-running film festival, which he has held since 2001.
He will take the position as the Festival moves towards its 60th year, with his first directorial duties being for the 59th Sydney Film Festival in June 2012.
In addition to this position, Moodley’s extensive experience includes the position of Director of Asia and Africa Programmes for the Dubai International Film Festival since 2005. In 2006, Moodley was responsible for curating the first South African Film Festival in Tehran. He has also been an adviser to several other festivals including South Korea’s Busan International Film Festival, which is rapidly emerging as one of the leading film festivals in the world.
Moodley commented: “After spending the last decade immersed in the world of international film festivals, both as a programmer and industry attendee, I am very honoured and excited to be tasked with the position of Sydney Film Festival Director. Not only is Sydney Film Festival one of the world’s longest running, it has always been a great champion of Australian cinema and its Official Competition attracts some of the most interesting and significant films from around the world. I very much look forward to joining the energetic and innovative SFF team in bringing great films and filmmakers to Sydney.”
Outgoing director Clare Stewart has recently taken up the position of Head of Exhibition at the BFI (British Film Institute).
