Edinburgh International Film Festival and Filmhouse have announced that Ginnie Atkinson is to leave to pursue new projects.
Atkinson has been the managing director of EIFF for 15 years and CEO at Edinburgh's Filmhouse for the past five. Her appointment at the Filmhouse led to the forging of greater links between the arthouse cinema and the festival and she has also overseen the Festival's move from August to its new slot in June.
EIFF chair Iain Smith said: "Ginnie has done a fantastic job over the last 15 years and has made a huge and significant contribution to the growth of the Edinburgh International Film Festival. She leaves us with our warmest best wishes for the future."
Atkinson said: "I've had a fantastic experience at the EIFF over 15 years. Edinburgh is a very special film festival and it has been a real privilege to work with the hundreds of staff that make it happen every year and in particular the four artistic directors in their turn and the core teams."
"Bringing the Filmhouse and the EIFF into closer partnership over the last few years has been an exciting and creative job and this is a perfect juncture at which to pass the baton on and to widen my own horizons."
Artistic director of the festival Hannah McGill added: "Ginnie has helped to build the reputation of the Edinburgh International Film Festival over many years and she will be missed. We go forward developing the legacy and anticipate a ground-breaking festival in June 2010."
