Jody Kielbasa is leaving his post as executive director of the Sarasota Film Festival after ten years in charge to pursue other artistic challenges.

Mark Famiglio, executive board member and one of the founding members of the festival, has been unanimously elected president and succeeds Ian Black.

Famiglio paid tribute to Kielbasa, adding: 'Through his efforts over the past ten years, we have become one of this country's premiere film events and have secured our standing in the international film community. The board, staff, and I wish him well in all of his future endeavours.'

'In the early years I found the work at the festival very challenging and over the last several years very rewarding,' Kielbasa said. 'My tenure in Sarasota has been one of the proudest accomplishments of my career. I have watched the festival grow from a three-day event with eight films to a stunning and internationally acclaimed ten-day festival.'

A replacement for Kielbasa will be announced in due course.

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