Edinburgh International Film Festival
The Edinburgh International Film Festival has appointed Picturehouse Entertainment head of acquisitions Paul Ridd as its new director.
Ridd will join in December. Its first festival, the event’s 77th anniversary, will take place in August 2024, with specific dates to be announced.
The festival returned for its 76th edition earlier this year after financial difficulties. It was led by Kate Taylor, who took over from Christy Matheson who became the new director of the BFI London Film Festival. Taylor did not reapply for the position.
As director, Ridd will be responsible for creating, growing and running the business, implementing fundraising strategy and delivering a budget and multi-year plan for the festival. In addition, he will work in partnership with the board to lead the overall strategic direction and sustainability of the organization, develop the strategy and vision, and build a new and dynamic team.
During Ridd’s tenure at Picturehouse, releases included Francis Lee’s God’s Own Country, Audrey Diwan’s Happening, Charlotte Regan’s Scrapper and his Palme d’Or-winning Anatomy of a Fall 2023 by Justine Triet. Reed has also acted as program advisor to the BFI London Film Festival since 2018 and international advisor for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival since 2019.
Andrew Macdonald, chairman of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, said: “We are delighted that Paul will be the new festival director at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Paul is passionate about film and has the energy and business skills to lead and champion the new, fresh voice of EIFF. I look forward to supporting him and the new team now and in the future.”
Reed added: “I am very excited to be joining the EIFF at a critical point in its history. My aim is to lead the festival into a bright new future with world-class films, world-renowned filmmakers and an engaged audience at the heart of everything we do. Over the coming months I look forward to putting together a team to deliver the festival, working closely with Andrew Macdonald and the new board to launch something fresh and different for the world stage. I am indebted to his unparalleled guidance [Picturehouse MD] Clare Binns in recent years and I aim to replicate her fierce commitment, passion and true love of cinema as the driving principles of the festival. Watch this space and bring it.’
“Falls down a lot. Unapologetic alcohol guru. Travel specialist. Amateur beer trailblazer. Award-winning tv advocate. Hipster-friendly twitter aficionado”