18/08/2005

The European Documentary Network (EDN) has recently appointed Finnish journalist Leena Pasanen as the new director of the Copenhagen-based network.

Leena Pasanen, currently Head of programmes at the Finnish digital channel YLE Teema, stated how honoured she felt at being offered the post: "I feel like I am a child of EDN having been to so many workshops of the association." The choice of Pasanen as the future director is easily justified since, according to Ike Bertels, EDN's chairman "Leena Pasanen has, in a very few years, profiled herself as a committed commissioning editor who carries a deep respect for independent documentary filmmaking. She knows EDN in detail so there was no doubt among the members of the Executive Committee that she was the right person for this important job". Leena Pasanen will assume the post at the end of the year, when the current director, Tue Steen Müller, leaves.

Created in 1996, the EDN now has over 750 members, among them filmmakers, producers, production companies, distributors, associations, film institutions & boards, universities, festivals, broadcasters and film & television agencies. Consultanting on financing, development and co-production is among the main activities of the network, which is also responsible for the publication of two important source of information, the EDN TV Guide and the DOX Magazine.