The International Documentary Association (IDA) has appointed Simon Kilmurry to the position of executive director. Kilmurry will relocate from New York to Los Angeles to begin work on July 6, 2015.
Kilmurry joins IDA following a 16-year tenure at POV, the long-running PBS showcase of independent documentaries, where he has served as executive producer since 2006.
“It’s hard to imagine anyone better qualified to take the reins at IDA,” said Marjan Safinia, president of IDA’s Board of Directors. “As an internationally recognized leader in our field, Simon’s name is synonymous with excellence in documentary, and his passion for the form is unrivaled. He is truly from the tribe of documentary filmmakers that we serve. This, coupled with his extraordinary track record in organizational management and deep insight into the needs of the documentary field, makes him the strongest possible leader to continue our evolution.”
Kilmurry observed, “Documentary is one of the most exciting forms of cultural expression, it is absolutely vital to a thriving democracy, and I am deeply passionate about it. The IDA has never been better positioned to play a leadership role in the field, advocating for and providing support to filmmakers, and convening an international dialogue for filmmakers telling the most relevant stories of our time.”
Kilmurry has won numerous accolades in his role at POV including a Primetime Emmy Award, 12 News and Documentary Emmy Awards, a Special Emmy Award for Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking, as well as more than 50 News and Documentary Emmy nominations. He is also the recipient of five Peabody Awards, three Du Pont Columbia Awards, two Overseas Press Club Awards, a Grierson Award, and is a two-time recipient of the Best Continuing Series Award from IDA. In 2011 he received the National Association of Latino Independent Producers’ Award for Corporate Commitment to Diversity.
Kilmurry has also served as executive director of American Documentary, POV’s non-profit parent organization. Under his leadership, the organization was the recipient of a $1 million MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions in 2013. In addition to POV, he is the executive producer of America ReFramed, a documentary series on the WORLD Channel. Established in 2012, America ReFramed is a year-round showcase of independent documentaries featuring contemporary American stories.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More