There have been major changes this week at Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival which is set to kick off in just a few months.
The board has disestablished the positions of three key staff: executive director Sally Woodfield, Head of programming Michael McDonnell and part-time finance and HR manager Kirsten Dowsett. According to newspaper The Post, the Film Festival board say the restructure of the team is to support the goal of a more artistically led festival and to ensure its long-term financial sustainability.
Sally Woodfield's last day was Friday and she didn't want to comment beyond an email to the film industry saying she was deeply saddened and had hoped to continue in the role. She also paid tribute to her long-serving colleague Michael McDonnell.. McDonnell says the board offered affected staff the chance to apply for new roles, but that the new positions were quite different and limited. They were also changed from permanent positions to contracts.
The Film Festival has also this week reconfirmed Paolo Bertolin as artistic director for this year - despite re-advertising for that position earlier this month. The festival will be held over late July and August.
RNZ Culture 101 was joined by Chairperson of the New Zealand International Film Festival Kaine Thompson.
