2/18/2009

in

Sundance Film Festival chief leaves for New York festival gig.

Sara Kimball

Longtime Sundance Film Festival director Geoffrey Gilmore has resigned and is taking over as creative director of Tribeca Enterprises, which oversees the Tribeca Film Festival, reports The New York Times. After 19 years at Sundance, Gilmore will join Tribeca Enterprises in a broad role that will include marketing, distribution and strategy of the company's independent films.  
  
"I can't tell you everything in this job is really clear at this point. A lot of it is about exploring the possibilities," Gilmore told Reuters. "This isn't a straight programming job. This is a job that says, 'Let's look at what festivals do, let's look at alternative distribution.'"  
  
Almost as synonymous with Sundance as its founder Robert Redford, Gilmore's move has shaken up the independent film world because of his deep industry contacts and commitment to Sundance. He will now bring this experience to Tribeca Enterprises and the Tribeca Film Festival.  
  
Started in 2002 by Robert DeNiro and Jane Rosenthal, the festival has been criticized for lacking cinematic focus and failing to secure distribution for its films. This April will mark the festival's eighth year.