The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has appointed Damien Hodgkinson as its inaugural chief executive officer.
Hodgkinson joins MIFF from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where he held the role of executive director for more than a decade. Before this, he was executive director for operations and company secretary with the Australia Business Arts Foundation and was previously CEO of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
His experience encompasses festivals, performing arts, visual arts, artists with a disability, arts for young people, and tertiary arts education, as well as national leadership roles in the government, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.
Hodgkinson said he was looking forward to shaping the future of the festival.
“I am both excited and honoured to join the MIFF team and for the opportunity to lead this iconic festival through this next phase,” he said.
“MIFF is a beloved part of Melbourne’s winter experience and cultural expression and more broadly, it plays an increasingly important role in the global and local film industry.”
MIFF board chair Teresa Zolnierkiewicz said Hodgkinson’s passion for the arts and extensive leadership experience made him well-positioned to make a positive impact on MIFF’s future.
“We are confident that under his leadership, and with the excellent team that is already in place, the festival’s resilience will be fortified and MIFF’s cultural influence will be augmented and amplified,” she said.
Hodgkinson will commence his position in March. MIFF will take place August 8-25 in 2024.