Former Frontline club programmer takes post vacated by Sean Farnel.

Charlotte Cook is joining Hot Docs, North America’s largest documentary festival, as its new director of programming.

Cook was introduced to Toronto audiences last night at the Toronto premiere of Marathon Boy, the opening film in the 2011-12 Doc Soup screening series at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Cook comes to Hot Docs from Frontline Club in London, UK, the prestigious media centre dedicated to celebrating investigative journalism. She also programmed a specialist strand at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and was a strand coordinator on the BBC’s Storyville series.

“Charlotte is a great addition to our team, and we are eager to introduce her to Hot Docs audiences, colleagues and friends,” said executive director Chris McDonald. “Charlotte has impressive educational and professional experience, and a keen eye for programming. We know she will help Hot Docs to continue to bring the best that documentary has to offer to Toronto. We are lucky to have her onboard.”

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be taking on this role with Hot Docs and joining this incredible team,” added Cook. “This is a very exciting year for Hot Docs, it is such an important festival and I’m honoured to be able to be a part of it.”