New Creative Director Announced by Centre for the Moving Image

Scotland’s leading independent cinema charity, the Centre for the Moving Image (CMI)  that has under its umbrella Edinburgh’s Filmhouse, the Edinburgh International Film Festival and Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen, announced the appointment of Kristy Matheson as its new Creative Director. Kirsty’s role will be to lead and champion the creative vision and voice of Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) and Filmhouse Cinemas, placing film, filmmakers and audiences at the heart of everything they do. She will be responsible for developing and driving the creative vision and strategies for the whole of the CMI, including its curated screenings programmes and its audience development, community engagement, learning, talent and industry development programmes.

Kristy, who comes to CMI from her role as Director of Film at Australia’s national museum of screen culture (ACMI), brings over 20 years’ experience across distribution, film festivals and the museum sector. Prior to her role on the Executive Team at ACMI, she worked at Brisbane International Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival and Dendy Films and has served on film festival juries and industry peer assessment panels. She is a regular reviewer on ABC Radio, Melbourne, a member of Screen Australia’s Gender Matters Taskforce, and a recipient of the Natalie Miller Fellowship.

 On her appointment Kristy said “I’ve had the enormous privilege to lead the strategic direction of the Film Department in a multi-disciplinary museum that puts curiosity, collaboration, and audiences at the centre of everything it does. I’m excited to bring this programming ethos into my new role with the CMI.”

Atholl Duncan, Interim Chair of CMI said “The board are delighted that Kristy has agreed to be the new Creative Director of the CMI. After a global search, Kristy was the perfect candidate, bringing not just exceptional knowledge and expertise, but also a deep passion for making film accessible to everyone.”

Kristy will join CMI as its new Creative Director following the delivery of EIFF 2021 from 18th-25th August 2021, and will lead the vision for the 75th anniversary edition of EIFF in 2022.

Irene Brown