Patrick Duynslaegher appointed artistic director of Ghent Film Festival

Film journalist Patrick Duynslaegher has been appointed as the new artistic director of the Ghent Film Festival.

Duynslaegher was the editor in chief of Flanders weekly magazine Knack Focus as well as writing for international publications including Sight & Sound and International Film Guide. He is also a consultant for the Chicago Film Festival.

Together with the festival’s business & operations director Filip Van Pottelberg and producer and programmer Wim De Witte, Duynslaegher will be responsible for the daily management of the non-profit organisation vzw Internationaal Filmfestival van Vlaanderen which organises the Ghent Film Festival.

Wim De Witte will continue to handle programming, but will focus increasingly on his new role as festival producer.

Danielle Heynickx will continue to be part of the programming committee, with responsibility for guests and special events, with Valerie Dobbelaere now managing music projects.

Managing director Jacques Dubrulle said the appointment was  “part of the board of directors’ plan to further develop the important role the Ghent Film Festival plays in the film culture of Flanders and beyond.”

Meanwhile Duynslaegher said he was “thrilled that I can now put my passion for cinema to good use serving the most dynamic film festival in Belgium.”