Raul Niño Zambrano – Acting Creative Director, Alex Cooke – Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Clare Stewart – Interim CEO
Raul Niño Zambrano has been appointed Acting Creative Director of Sheffield DocFest to deliver the 30th edition, running 14-19 June 2023. A former programmer at IDFA, Zambrano joined Sheffield as Head of Film Programmes in early 2022.
“We warmly congratulate Raul on both his contribution to the 2022 programme and his move into creative leadership for our 30th edition.” Alex Cooke, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Sheffield also announced August 18 that, following a “successful” return to a predominantly in-person festival, which attracted 30,323 attendances, the organisation is adopting “a new, joint leadership model for the future.”
It has commenced a search for a new Managing Director, responsible for business affairs, partnerships & fundraising, production & operations as well as audience development; as well as a Creative Director who will be responsible for setting the programme agenda across Film Programmes, Alternate Realities, Marketplace & Talent and Talks & Sessions.
“We are seeking an exceptional candidate for the newly created role of Managing Director to jointly lead the organisation, and to assume full responsibility for business performance and sustainability. They will develop and action strategic and business plans that deliver on the International Documentary Festival Sheffield’s charitable objectives,” the festival says.
Sheffield DocFest took place in person in 2022 (23-28 June) with film screenings (135 films, 95 features and 40 shorts), Alternate Realities screenings (29) and exhibitions, Marketplace & Talent activity, and Talks & Sessions.
The Best Film in International Competition was announced as Sansón and Me directed by Rodrigo Reyes (Mexico/USA). The Best Film prize in International First Feature Competition was awarded to Master of Light by Rosa Ruth Boesten (USA/Netherlands).
On the industry side, the project Our Hoolocks by co-directors Chinmoy Sonowal & Ragini Nath (Liminal Picture Production – India) picked up the Whickers Pitch, Film & TV Funding Award 2022 (£100,000).
