Sydney Film Festival announces Nashen Moodley as new director
The Sydney Film Festival has appointed Nashen Moodley as its new director.
The South African-born Moodley will finish his tenure as head of programming at the Durban International Film Festival before taking up the new position in January.
Leigh Small, Sydney Film Festival CEO told Encore: “We did an national and international search and given the status of the festival we wanted someone strong in international programming. He has deep and strong contacts for international markets. He’s already proven he has great connections in that area. Durban Festival is held around the same time as Sydney so the selection of films we look at are the same as Durban – but primarily because he has a keen aesthetic in his programming choices.”
Moodley said in a statement: “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.”
Moodley has recently programmed Asian and African cinema for both the Rotterdam and Dubai film festivals as well as having extensive knowledge of Durban’s FilmMart – the largest in Africa. Despite this, Small said there was no new outlook for the Sydney Film Festival but both Moodley and the festival’s vision was concurrent.
Small said: “Over the past few years there has been strategic positioning to strengthen the profile internationally. And over the last few years we’ve created a new audience for our festival.”
Moodley said: “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.”
Sydney Film Festival Chairman, Chris Freeland said: “Nashen Moodley joins Sydney Film Festival at a time of great strength and growth. His strong international film festivalconnections and curatorial flare ensure that Sydney will continue to be presented the best films and filmmakers from around the world; whilst highlighting the great films and talent of the Australian film industry.”
Moodley replaces Claire Stewart who left after this year’s festival – Stewart was director for five years.
“He watches 800 films a year,” said Small. “Clare Stewart is very much the same – once someone takes the path of an international film director, it’s a very consuming life.”
Outsourcing.
Don’t get this – what there was no suitable local candidate?
Curious – this organisation receive public funding?
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Emailed above several times regarding last subject – suspect they’ve learned from their other publicly funded bretheren & adopted the Ostrich position.
Where’s the accountability & transperency in all this?
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