Toronto programmer Dorota Lech has been appointed as festival director of Wrocław’s New Horizons International Film Festival, succeeding Marcin Pieńkowski.
The Polish-born film curator and writer has been working for the Toronto International Film Festival since 2013 as lead programmer for its Discovery sidebar and international programmer, selecting films from central, eastern and southeastern Europe, Turkey and Iran across the festival’s sections and in the year-round TIFF Cinematheque.
In her new role heading up New Horizons, Lech will lead the curatorial team composed of co-artistic directors Małgorzata Sadowska and Ewa Szabłowska, and also work together with Weronika Czołnowska, director of industry events in Wroclaw, to oversee the development and growth of the industry programme.
The latter includes the Polish Days and the New Horizons Studio+ training programme.
In addition, she will be supporting Ula Śniegowska, director of the American Film Festival, in developing the programme for the upcoming 17th edition this autumn under the umbrella of the New Horizons Association.
In an official communique about Lech’s appointment, Roman Gutek, president of the New Horizons Association and the festival’s founder, said: “I’m delighted that Dorota Lech has chosen to take on this role. Her curatorial and festival experience, international network, and openness to collaboration with the outstanding festival team ensure both continuity and further development of the festival’s original vision. The New Horizons Festival is in good hands.”
Gutek founded the festival that takes place in the town of Sanok in southeastern Poland in 2001. Last year, the New Horizons festival posted record attendance of over 169,000 admissions, with viewers choosing from 271 films and 628 screenings
The 26th edition of the New Horizons International Film Festival will be held from July 23 to August 2.
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