Sheffield Doc/Fest have appointed Cíntia Gil as Festival Director, replacing Interim Director Melanie Iredale.
Having served as Festival Director of DocLisboa since 2012, she will take up her new position in November following the October edition of the Portugese festival. Born in Portugal, Cíntia has been a member of Apordoc (the Portuguese documentary film association since 2015 and has texts that have appeared in numerous publications on philosophy and art.
She is also a regular guest at panel discussions and conferences, as well as residing on international festival juries such as Berlinale, Mar del Plata and FIDMarseille.
Chair of Doc/Fest Alexander Graham said: “We are thrilled to announce Cíntia as the new Festival Director for Sheffield Doc/Fest. She has a deep knowledge of, and passion for, documentaries together with a wealth of international connections to bring to Sheffield.
“What’s more she has the vision and the leadership to build on the Festiva’s success and take it into a new decade.”
Cíntia Gil herself stated: “Together we will contribute to the future of this festival and, most importantly, to the future of cinema and documentary worldwide, creating a space of freedom, plurality, inspiration and challenge.
“I thank the board of Sheffield Doc/Fest for their trust, and I look forward to welcoming everyone in June 2020 to celebrate and create meaningful experiences together.”
Current Interim Director Melanie Iredale stepped up to the position for the 2019 edition and has held the position of Deputy Director since 2014. She said that “she [Cíntia] brings new creative energy, ideas and experience (to the Doc/Fest family) and we are looking forward to working with her to deliver future festivals. It has been a privilege to deliver the 2019 edition, and I look forward to working closely with Cíntia to plan and produce the 2020 festival – and beyond”
Sheffield Doc/Fest is a world leading festival and marketplace, celebrating, sharing
and debating the stories of our time, through documentary and non-fiction
Storytelling and will return in June 2020.
Image credit: Sheffield Doc/Fest & Gerhard Kassner