DNI’s McIntyre to head Doc/Fest

The UK’s leading factual-focused event, Sheffield Doc/Fest, has appointed a high-ranking production and development exec from Discovery Networks International (DNI) as its CEO and festival director.

Elizabeth McIntyre

Elizabeth McIntyre, who was DNI’s VP of production and development, will take up the position on September 1. She currently oversees the commissioning of original factual content for the global market at Discovery Channel, and also heads factual commissions for Discovery UK and Quest.

McIntyre will take up the role previously held by Heather Croall, who resigned earlier this year to become CEO and director of the Adelaide Fringe Festival in her native Australia, following eight years in the UK.

She was replaced on an interim basis by acting festival director Mark Atkin, who is heading Sheffield Doc/Fest 2015, which runs from June 5 to 10.

Alex Graham, chair of Sheffield Doc/Fest, said McIntyre had “impressed with her clear-eyed vision for the festival’s future.”

“This, together with her professionalism and wealth of experience as a commissioning editor at Discovery, gives me huge confidence in her ability to lead Doc/Fest to even greater heights,” he added.

McIntyre said: “Doc/Fest is the beating heart of the documentary and non-fiction content business across all platforms, and it is an absolute privilege to have the opportunity now to build on its impressive UK and international success.”