Linda Blackabyhas been named director of programming for the San Francisco Film Society andthe San Francisco International Film Festival.

Blackaby willtake over from Carl Spence, who has left to pursue other interests.

In her new roleBlackaby will work with executive director Roxanne Messina Captor overseeingprogramming duties both for the film society and the festival.

They willcontinue to use industry consultants and the festival's internationaladvisory board, including Roger Garcia, Tom Luddy, Michel Ciment and AlbertoBarbera.

Melanie Blum,president of the board of directors of the film society, said financialrestraints on nonprofit organisations played a part in the decision torestructure the programming department.

"Becausewe are determined to maintain the quality and integrity of the San FranciscoInternational Film Festival and all of the other programmes of the filmsociety, we needed to make consolidations throughout the organisation,"Blum said in a statement. "Our best wishes go with Carl."

Prior to joiningthe San Francisco Film Society as associate director of programming in 2001Blackaby served as programme director for the San Francisco International AsianAmerican Film Festival.

She was alsoco-director of programming for the Hamptons International Film Festival andfounding director of the Neighborhood Film/Video Project and the PhiladelphiaFestival of World Cinema.

The SanFrancisco Film Society will present the 47th San Francisco International FilmFestival from April 15-29, 2004.