Adrian Wootton is stepping down as director of the London Film Festival to take up the post of deputy director of the event's parent body, the British Film Institute (BFI). His deputy, Sandra Hebron will take up the newly-created post of acting artistic director of the LFF, and is a likely candidate to take on the post permanently.

Wootton will continue to have an advisory role at the festival as executive director, while at the BFI, he will oversee educational and cultural operations, including providing artistic direction for Collections, Education and Exhibition.

"It is a fantastic opportunity to be given the responsibility for leading the cultural operations of the Institute, to strengthen and develop our activities for the general public and our partners throughout the UK and around the world," Wootton said:

Wootton was previously head of BFI Exhibition, which encompassed the National Film Theatre along with running the festival. The appointment will be effective from February.

"Adrian will bring unsurpassed experience in the world of film and television to this vitally important role," said BFI director Jon Teckman.