Gisli Snaer c gisli snaer lfs

Source: Gisli Snaer / London Film School

Gisli Snaer

Icelandic director Gisli Snaer is stepping down as director of the London Film School (LFS) to focus on filmmaking after a six-year stint at the school.

Snaer joined the LFS in 2016 where he served as head of studies, before replacing Jane Roscoe as director in 2017.  

Recruitment for a new director is underway and the school hopes to have someone in place before Snaer’s departure later this year.

Snaer is currently in pre-production on new feature project The Shepherd which he will direct.

Prior to working at LFS, Snaer previously ran the Puttnam School of Film at LaSalle College of the Arts in Singapore. The La Fémis graduate is also a member of the European Film Academy, the Royal Television Society and the Federation of European Film Directors.

His directing credits include Behind Schedule (1993), Benjamin, The Dove (1995) and Ikingut (2000) which premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival.

Snaer said in a letter to the school: “More filmmaking opportunities have come my way recently, and I have chosen to concentrate on these projects, as they will demand full attention. Hopefully, I can return to LFS and share my latest filmmaking experience with students.

“Over the next three months, I will do what I can to make the transition as smooth as possible and support LFS in whatever way possible.” 

Greg Dyke, chair of the LFS board, added: “I would like to pay tribute to Gisli and all he has achieved in his six years at the school, the last three as director. In particular, the board thanked him for his success in leading the school through the very difficult Covid years.”