Michel Ciment, the long-running editor of French filmmagazine Positif, has been named as guest programmer at the 46th San FranciscoInternational Film Festival. Making the announcement today (Feb 10), SanFrancisco Film Society executive director Roxanne Messina Captor said Cimentknew the festival well after covering it for many years as a reporter. Sheadded in a statement: 'I know that our audiences will be caught up by hispassion for film and appreciate his discovery of and advocacy on behalf of importantnew works.' During the year-long appointment Ciment will programme Frenchand international titles. This year's event runs from Apr 17 to May 1.

While in SanFrancisco the France-based Ciment will present the inaugural State of Cinemaaddress, an assessment of current cinema from his personal perspective. Hejoined Positif in 1963 and became a member of its democratic editorialcommittee three years later. He has written numerous books on cinema andreceived notable awards including the Chevalier of the Order of Merit,Chevalier of the Legion of Honor and Officer in the Order of Arts and Letters.Ciment is the current president of FIPRESCI.