SCOTLAND'S biggest film festival is searching for a new artistic director following the surprise departure of its leader.
The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) announced yesterday that Chris Fujiwara is stepping down from the role after being in charge for three festivals where he is credited to "re-igniting" the event.
Recruitment for a successor is already under way and the festival intends to have someone in place for next year's event which runs from June 17 to 28.
Mr Fujiwara departs just as the festival is awaiting news of whether the main arts funder in Scotland, Creative Scotland, will continue to support it with an announcement on long-term funding due next month. The American director and writer took over the festival during a particularly rocky patch in its history and, during his tenure, admissions have increased by 33%, reaching 46,000 in 2014.
He will be stepping down to "pursue other activities" he said.
Mr Fujiwara said he was pleased to have played a part in the event's "rebirth" after a calamitous 2011 where the festival attempted a re-vamp under changes that proved to be unpopular critically and with the public.
Sources suggested the departure of Mr Fujiwara was a "mutual parting of the ways".
The New Yorker is also a writer, film critic, journalist, editor and translator and was previously working in Japan.
In the interim period before a new director is found, the existing programming team, led by deputy artistic director, Diane Henderson, will programme the 2015 Festival.
During Mr Fujiwara's reign there was no sign that the festival would ever move from its June slot in the calendar back to August, a bone of contention for some fans.
He reinstated prizes that had been discontinued, including popular Audience Award, the Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature Film and the Award for Best Documentary Feature Film.
Mr Fujiwara said: "It's been a genuine honour to work with the team in Edinburgh and contribute to the rebirth of EIFF over the last three years.
"However, I have decided to step down from my role at the Festival to pursue other activities."
Ken Hay, chief executive of EIFF, said: "Chris has played an instrumental part in reigniting EIFF, for which the Board of Trustees and I are very grateful.
"We are sorry to see him go. But we are excited and ambitious for the future, and we look forward to finding a fitting successor."
The festival was established in 1947 and is known in the industry as an event that has a history of showcasing international cinema.
Premieres in recent years have included Let The Right One In, Man on Wire, Control, The Hurt Locker, A Most Wanted Man, and Little Miss Sunshine.
Bob Last, the chairman of EIFF, said: "Chris Fujiwara's programming has reminded EIFF and our audiences of how important and inspiring it is to be challenged by technique, by content, by a diversity of view points and by innovation.
"As we reach out to wider audiences we will remain grateful to Chris for his contribution to EIFF at one of its most challenging moments."
EIFF is also funded by the BFI, the Scottish Government through the Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, the City of Edinburgh Council, and EventScotland.
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