Hot Docs Names Charlotte Cook Director of Programming

Last night at the opening edition of Hot Docs‘ year round Doc Soup screening series, the Toronto-based festival announced Charlotte Cook as their new director of programming. Cook comes to the festival from Frontline Club in London, UK where she was the head of film programming for the past two years. She replaces Sean Farnell, who announced his departure this summer.

Hot Docs’ next edition will run April 26-May 6, 2012.

Full press release below.

Toronto, October 5, 2011 – Hot Docs is delighted to announce that Charlotte Cook will join the Hot Docs team as the organization’s new director of programming. Cook was introduced to Toronto audiences tonight at the Toronto premiere of MARATHON BOY, the opening film in the 2011-12 Doc Soup screening series, which took place at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

“Charlotte is a great addition to our team, and we are eager to introduce her to Hot Docs audiences, colleagues and friends,” says executive director Chris McDonald. “Charlotte has impressive educational and professional experience, and a keen eye for programming. We know she will help Hot Docs to continue to bring the best that documentary has to offer to Toronto. We are lucky to have her onboard.”

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be taking on this role with Hot Docs and joining this incredible team,” says Cook. “This is a very exciting year for Hot Docs, it is such an important festival and I’m honoured to be able to be a part of it.”

Cook comes to Hot Docs from Frontline Club in London, UK – the prestigious media centre dedicated to celebrating and showcasing quality journalism – where she was the head of film programming for the past two years. There, she was responsible for an ambitious program that showcased over 100 documentaries each year. In addition to managing and scheduling the film program, Cook also organized quarterly pitch events and managed the training program. Previously, Cook has worked with the Edinburgh International Film Festival, where she programmed the specialist strand Conflict | Reportage and managed several events, and was also a strand coordinator with BBC Storyville. Cook has written extensively on documentary for a number of different outlets and has worked with Channel 4 BritDoc Foundation on their Puma Creative Catalyst Fund. Cook holds a Master of Arts in documentary filmmaking from Royal Holloway, University of London.

In her role as director of programming at Hot Docs, Cook will head up an exceptional programming team that includes senior Canadian programmer Lynne Fernie and a staff of experienced programmers specializing in Canadian and international films. Cook will be responsible for developing the programming vision for the Festival, continuing Hot Docs’ reputation for presenting a high-calibre documentary slate each year. Cook will contribute to the long-term visioning and strategic planning for the organization, working with various departments to help research and shape new initiatives, and with the wider senior management team to help direct existing projects, both online and live-event based.

After attending various festivals and industry events throughout October and November – including Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival; DOK Leipzig; CPH:DOX; and IDFA – Cook will re-locate to Toronto in December.