ABC’s Amanda Duthie appointed Adelaide Film Festival director
ABC’s Amanda Duthie has been announced as the incoming director and CEO of the BigPond Adelaide Film Festival.
Duthie replaces Katrina Sedgwick who will finish in the role at the end of 2011.
Duthie is currently the content head of arts and entertainment at the ABC.
Sandra Sdraulig, chair of BAFF Board said: “Finding someone to fill the very large shoes of Katrina Sedgwick, the Festival’s founding director and creative dynamo who has evolved BAFF into one of the world’s most exciting film events was a daunting task. I feel absolutely confident that Amanda Duthie is that person, an individual with extraordinary skills, energy, knowledge and networks who we are absolutely delighted will guide the Festival into the future.”
Of her position, Duthie said: “I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to join this dynamic and respected Festival, which I have attended many times as a film lover. The BigPond Adelaide Film Festival is the most exciting arts and big screen content gig in the country and I am thrilled to be offered the position. Katrina Sedgwick has created an internationally acclaimed film event and I will honour it with the same passion and enthusiasm for Australian and international stories. I look forward to joining the team in Adelaide in the new year.”
Kim Dalton, director of the ABC said: “I would like to congratulate Amanda on her new appointment to one of the most enterprising film festivals in the country. I also want to recognise her many successes during her eight years at the ABC, and in particular, the last four years as ABC TV’s head of arts ande ntertainment. Amanda leaves ABC TV with an exciting slate in both arts and entertainment programming for 2012 with programs such as Shaun Micallef”s Mad as Hell, Randling with Andrew Denton, Myf Warhurst’s Nice, Photo Finish and Kitchen Cabinet with Annabel Crabb.”
Beginning her career as executive producer and series producer at SBS through the 90s, Duthie left to work as associate producer of Beyond the Fatal Shore, a PBS-BBC-ABC production.
In December 2003, she joined the ABC as commissioning editor and executive producer of arts and entertainment before being appointed head of content arts and entertainment in 2008.
At the ABC Duthie worked closely with the Adelaide Film Festival jointly investing in films such as Bob Connolly’s Mrs Carey’s Concert, Beck Cole’s Here I Am, and Matthew Bate’s Stunt Love as well as the investing $200,000 in the festival’s Hive Production fund projects.
