17/09/2014 - Hunt on for a new Artistic Director for festival

Chris Fujiwara has called time on his Artistic Director role at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) after three years in the role. The festival is commencing the recruitment process for his successor immediately. In the interim the existing Programming team, led by Deputy Artistic Director Diane Henderson, will have responsibility for programming the 69th edition of EIFF (17-28 June, 2015).

Fujiwara took over the reins at a time when the festival was going through a troubled phase. During his time at the EIFF, admissions grew 33%, reaching 46,000 this year, and popular Audience Award was reinstated, along with the Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature Film and the Award for Best Documentary Feature Film. 

Fujiwara said, “It’s been a genuine honour to work with the team in Edinburgh and contribute to the rebirth of EIFF over the last three years. However, I have decided to step down from my role at the festival to pursue other activities.”

Ken Hay, Chief Executive of EIFF, said, “Chris has played an instrumental part in reigniting EIFF, for which the Board of Trustees and I are very grateful. We are sorry to see him go, but are excited and ambitious for the future of EIFF, and we look forward to finding a fitting successor.”

Bob Last, Chair of EIFF, added, “Chris Fujiwara’s programming has reminded EIFF and our audiences of how important and inspiring it is to be challenged by technique, by content, by a diversity of view points, and by innovation. As we reach out to wider audiences we will remain grateful to Chris for his contribution to EIFF at one of its most challenging moments.”