The Board of the Centre for Moving Image (CMI) today announced the appointment of Chris Fujiwara as new Artistic Director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Fujiwara’s experience includes work with international film festivals in diverse capacities including as programme consultant; selection advisor; competition juror; workshop mentor; catalogue editor; writer and speaker.
Chris Fujiwara
Announcing the appointment, Leslie Hills, Chair of the CMI said: ‘We are delighted to have someone of the calibre of Chris Fujiwara joining us and we look forward to a festival to remember in 2012. His extraordinary knowledge of, and passion for, film coupled with a fantastic range of contacts, working with the expertise and dedication of Edinburgh International Film Festival staff, is exciting and will no doubt bring unexpected and delightful results.’
Chris Fujiwara added: “… I’m thrilled to be starting work with the Edinburgh International Film Festival. I’m especially enthusiastic because Edinburgh is a festival that has been known in the past for taking the lead during periods when filmmaking and film criticism were going through major transitions. I look forward to working hard to make Edinburgh central to the transitions that are now under way.’
Caroline Parkinson, Director of Creative Development, Creative Scotland said: ‘This is excellent news for the Edinburgh International Film Festival. In Chris Fujiwara, EIFF has made an outstanding, high-profile appointment which will bring international credibility to the UK’s longest-running film festival. This represents a confident appointment and recognition of the EIFF’s premier position amongst international film festivals. Creative Scotland continues to support the Festival and congratulates it on such a strong appointment.’
