Alex Graham appointed as new Chair of Sheffield Doc/Fest

Sheffield Doc/Fest has appointed Alex Graham, Chief Executive of Wall To Wall, as their new Chair.

Graham set up the independent television production company Wall To Wall in 1987 and is the former Chair of the Producers’ Alliance for Cinema and Television and now sits on their Patrons’ Group. He has been involved in the production of shows such as Who Do You Think You Are? and New Tricks.

Hewlett has been Chair of Sheffield Doc/Fest since 2004, during which time he has presided over the growth of the festival from 500 UK based delegates to one that this year attracted over 2,310 international industry attendees. Heather Croall, festival director since 2006, said: “Steve has been a huge support for me in implementing change at the festival…some of the new elements - like embracing the digital world and engaging with the international industry - took some time to deliver benefits but they have all paid off and I could only have done it with the strong chairmanship of Steve Hewlett.”

Commenting on his appointment, Graham expressed his desire to make Sheffield Doc/Fest “one of the leading film festivals in the world”: “The festival has grown exponentially in size and reputation in the past few years and the team put together by Heather is world class. The move to June looks like it has been an unqualified success. My job is to take those achievements and build on them.”

Hewlett, who will continue on the Board of Governors, added: “Having seen the festival grow, and now successfully move to June, it seemed like a good time to step back and let someone else shepherd the next phase of Doc/Fest’s development. Heather and the team are the real stars…and I wish them and my successor Alex Graham all the very best.”