NSW Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality, Racing and the Arts, George Souris, announced today that Nashen Moodley will take up the position of Festival Director at Sydney Film Festival, following a comprehensive national and international recruitment campaign by Watermark Search International.

Nashen will take up the position in January 2012, stepping down from his current role as Manager/Head of Programming of the Durban International Film Festival, South Africa’s longest-running film festival, which he has held since 2001. During his ten-year term he has been responsible for expanding the content and audiences of the festival and raising the profile of the South African film industry by establishing the Durban FilmMart.

As a highly respected international film programmer, Nashen has worked as an Industry Consultant at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, and as a regular expert guest as part of the Programme Events at the Berlinale Talent Campus. Since 2005 he has held the position of Director of Asia and Africa Programmes for the Dubai International Film Festival and has overseen DIFF’s popular Muhr AsiaAfrica competition.

In 2006, Nashen curated the first South African Film Festival in Tehran. He has also been an adviser to several other festivals including India’s International Film Festival of Kerala, South Korea’s Busan International Film Festival and Africala in Mexico City.

Nashen’s film writing and criticism has appeared in newspapers and magazines including GQ, The Sunday Independent and The Mail & Guardian online. He is currently the film critic for South Africa’s Sunday Tribune.

Minister Souris said:

“Mr Moodley is internationally renowned and I am confident he will produce exciting and cutting edge Sydney Film Festivals.”

SFF Chairman, Chris Freeland, said:

“Nashen Moodley joins Sydney Film Festival at a time of great strength and growth. His strong international film festival connections and curatorial flare ensure that Sydney will continue to be presented the best films and filmmakers from around the world; whilst highlighting the great films and talent of the Australian film industry.”

Nashen Moodley said:

“After spending the last decade immersed in the world of international film festivals, both as a programmer and industry attendee, I am very honoured and excited to be tasked with the position of Sydney Film Festival Director. Not only is Sydney Film Festival one of the world’s longest running, it has always been a great champion of Australian cinema and its Official Competition attracts some of the most interesting and significant films from around the world.

I very much look forward to joining the energetic and innovative SFF team in bringing great films and filmmakers to Sydney.”

Commenting on Nashen’s appointment Peter Rorvik, director of the Durban International Film Festival said:

“Nashen  has contributed significantly to the growth and development of the Durban International Film Festival across the past decade, and whilst his departure is a great loss to DIFF, it is for Nashen a big step into the international arena, and deserved recognition of his skills.”