Marten Rabarts has stepped down as director of the New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF), and is moving on to take up a key role in a new film and arts project in Europe. Rabarts’ d…
, and is moving on to take up a key role in a new film and arts project in Europe.
Festival chair Catherine Fitzgerald said that Rabarts was appointed with a vision to bring new and exciting developments to the festival, however with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, these became impossible and just the delivery of the festivals was a challenge. The 2020 edition of the festival was hybrid, while the current edition is in-person, with the Auckland and Hamilton legs having to be canceled due to pandemic restrictions.
Rabarts also drove the rebranding of the festival to Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival, reflecting the cultural diversity of contemporary Aotearoa and increased the engagement of Māori and Pasifika filmmakers in the festival.following the retirement of long-time director Bill Gosden due to ill health.
Fitzgerald said: “We thank Marten for his energy, drive and tenacity which ensured that in 2020 we were able to deliver a hybrid festival for audiences, and that this year, despite having to cancel the Auckland and Hamilton legs, we have been able to present a festival — with an outstanding program — in 11 centres around the country under Alert Level 2 restrictions.”