Film festival rocked as third chief steps down

Published on Thursday 14 October 2010 18:03

A THIRD senior figure involved in the running of the Edinburgh International Film Festival has quit in a matter of months.

Iain Smith has stood down after two years as chairman of the long-running event, which has already been rocked by the departure of managing director Ginnie Atkinson and artistic director Hannah McGill in recent months.

Both the film festival and the Filmhouse cinema are now being run by a new company, the Centre for the Moving Image, which is headed by a former marketing executive, Gavin Miller

Glasgow-born Mr Smith, an acclaimed producer who worked on Chariots of Fire, Local Hero, The Killing Fields and Children of Men, was awarded a Bafta for outstanding achievement in film five years ago.

Mr Smith, who joined the film festival board four years ago, said: "My growing commitments as a producer have meant my time is limited, so regrettably I have decided to step down as a board member for the film festival.

"I will always have a place in my heart for the festival and will continue to be on hand to offer my advice and support. As a producer, I am always looking for new talent, and there is no question that Edinburgh is the place to find the very best."

Mr Miller was appointed chief executive of the CMI in July. He will be leading efforts to raise the profile of the film festival, promote Scottish-made films, attract investment and help rear new talent.

Leslie Hills, chair of the CMI, said: "We are sad to see Iain go, but wish him all the best for his future projects."