Seattle International Film Festival Group executive director Helen Loveridge is leaving the festival she took over from co-founder Daryl Macdonald less than two years ago. The festival said in a statement Tuesday that Loveridge is leaving to return home to England. (Macdonald moved on to run the Palm Springs International Festival).
Past board member Deborah Person, a former SIFF staff member and now a member of the Board Emeritus for SIFF, has been named interim director of the organization, beginning immediately. She will be responsible for carrying out the day-to-day management responsibilities of SIFF, including fundraising, community relations, staff and program oversight, and working to find a replacement for Loveridge.
"While we were surprised and saddened to hear of her decision, we couldn’t be happier with the leadership, dedication and creativity Helen has shown with our beloved festival," said SIFF board president Chris Gorley in a statement. "Helen and all of the SIFF staff have done a phenomenal job in generating excitement and ensuring the highest quality programming, resulting in unprecedented attendance at the Festival. We hope to find ways that Helen may continue to be connected to the SIFF organization."
