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AN AMERICAN author and film critic based in Japan is in charge of the Edinburgh International Film Festival under another major shake-up for the event, which is now looking for a new chief executive.

Chris Fujiwara has been appointed after arguably the most turbulent spell in the festival’s history, when it suffered drastic funding cuts and saw the departure of a string of key figures.

He confirmed the event was “almost certain” to be staged in June again, despite clamour for a return to its traditional August slot, but said he would not be relocating to Edinburgh to work full-time on the 2012 programme until mid-December.

The Brooklyn-born writer, who admitted he had never visited Edinburgh before his interview for the post, has not previously been in charge of programming for a major international event, although he has served on a number of festival juries.

However Mr Fujiwara, who has lived in Tokyo for the past five years, is the author of a number of film books. He has also lectured at Tokyo University and Yale University, among others.

The film festival’s board said Mr Fujiwara had “extensive experience” of the film industry, citing a background that also includes mentoring at workshops, editing catalogues and public speaking. His appointment was announced as it emerged the chief executive of the festival’s parent body, Gavin Miller, who was only appointed last July, had resigned. The former BBC marketing executive was rocked by the resignation of previous artistic director Hannah McGill, and faced criticism for failing to appoint a proper replacement.

Australian film producer James Mullighan was charged with managing a radical rethink of the event for 2011 – originally masterminded by former director Mark Cousins – which divided critics.

This year red carpet events were banned, the number of film premieres was drastically cut back, long-running competitions were axed, and a host of guest curators failed to appear.

It emerged before the end of this year’s festival that Mr Mullighan’s contract was about to end and that the hunt for a new artistic director would get underway. Mr Miller said he had put his “heart and soul” into the film festival, but felt now was the best time to “step back and pursue other interests.”

He added: “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in what have been some very challenging times and circumstances: a rapid integration of a new company, completing a company-wide restructure, securing necessary and new forms of investment and setting out a strategy and plan for a new force in film and moving image for Scotland.”

Meanwhile Mr Fujimara said he would be starting to work part-time on the festival with immediate effect from Tokyo, before relocating to Edinburgh just before Christmas.

He told The Scotsman that he was “well aware” of the criticism levelled at the festival this summer, but said he applied for the job because he was a great opportunity to build the event up.

“It’s a very exciting time to be involved with film festivals, as I have been in Asia recently, working as a selection advisor and curator.

“Edinburgh is clearly a festival that is going through a transitional phase, but that means there is an opportunity for positive change and to help build the festival up again and make a real difference.”

Film critic Richard Mowe said: “On paper at any rate Chris Fujiwara appears to have exactly the right international credentials and deep knowledge and passion for cinema that can pull the EIFF back from the brink of implosion.”