Trust Board’s Chair of NZIFF, and WIFT member, Catherine Fitzgerald, has stepped down from the position after a 20 year run. Fitzgerald is succeeded by Kaine Thompson. And the board appointed WIFT member Sharon Menzies to the position of Deputy Chair.
Thompson states, “We were faced with a stark choice in 2023 – shut down, like so many arts and culture events have had to do, or radically refresh. The last three years brought the festival to the brink.
New Deputy Chair Sharon Menzies adds, “The circumstances of the last three years forced us to look at how to preserve the future of this national arts, culture and events treasure.
Quotes from The Big Idea: https://thebigidea.nz/stories/lowdown-film-festival-shake-up
Menzies, Fitzgerald and Thompson drove the strategic and organisational refresh, resulting in Te Ahua o te Whānau Mārama, a 10-year programme to support rebuilding the Film Festival. Menzies also brings significant governance experience with more than 15 years in chair roles, board and advisory positions at a national level in New Zealand and Australia.
The Trust Board was pleased that Fitzgerald agreed to accept reappointment as a Trustee for a further term, adding to an already 24-year association with the Board. Trustee Robin Laing also accepted reappointment by the Trust Board for a further term, bolstering the Board’s desire for a stable leadership transition that drew on the strengths of Trustees. Both Fitzgerald and Laing bring enormous experience, knowledge, networks and understanding of the New Zealand screen sector.
The Trust Board has also appointed previous General Manager, and WIFT member, Sally Woodfield as the NZFFT (New Zealand Film Festival Trust Board) Executive Director. Woodfield’s appointment enables the Board to account for the delivery of its strategic plan and is the final major element in its refresh programme. Woodfield has completed a review of positions within the film festival whānau and work is now well underway to deliver the 2024 Festival.
The Trust Board’s 10-year Te Ahua o te Whānau Mārama programme, which can be viewed here.