Smith takes over as Edinburgh Chair
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Veteran producer Iain Smith has been named the new Chair of the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF). He succeeds John McCormick, Chair since 1996.
Smith’s producer credits include Cold Mountain [trailer], Children of Men, Wanted and ''Seven Years in Tibet.
'' He is no stranger to public life, having served on the UK Film Council board, the Scottish Film Council, the Scottish Film Production Fund, the Scottish Film Training Trust and as governor of the National Film and Television School. He is currently a Scottish Screen board member, Chair of the Film Skills Strategy Committee, deputy Chair of the British Film Advisory Group and a director of the Children’s Film and Television Foundation.
Smith said, “In these changing times the festival will be leading the way towards the discovery and showcasing of new talent and ideas in both a local and an international context.”
Scottish Screen CEO Ken Hay said, “Iain Smith represents all that the EIFF already is and what it seeks to be: a discoverer of talent, passionate about film and how it can inspire audiences and transform lives, and by no means least, a commitment to developing the Scottish film industry. John McCormick has been the perfect chair to navigate the festival through the last 12 years, Iain is the perfect choice to take the EIFF forward.”
Smith’s most pressing task will be to find a co-artistic director for the 2009 edition (June 17-28), since current artistic director Hannah McGill will be on maternity leave.
Naman Ramachandran cineuropa.org