Brigid O’Shea, the long-time Head of DOK Industry, is leaving DOK Leipzig at the end of February to dedicate herself to new endeavours.
As part of our team for 11 years, taking over as Head of DOK Industry in 2015, O’Shea has made a lasting impact on our film industry platform.
“We are deeply grateful to Brigid O'Shea for her many years of creative work. She has developed DOK Industry into one of the most important international industry platforms for documentary film and created a place in the festival that is known for its commitment, warm atmosphere and intensive exchange,” festival director Christoph Terhechte said. “Her approach has always been the expression of an emancipative festival policy. We see it as our challenge to further develop the programme in this direction.”
O’Shea’s passions were equal participation for all, creating a strong sense of community, and of course the great pleasure of personal exchange and networking between film professionals. She developed numerous formats for the festival and put a great deal of energy into the equal promotion of women directors. Several development awards were launched in this area during her time at DOK Leipzig. Promoting underrepresented filmmakers and questioning power structures were imperatives that she pursued wholeheartedly.
“Over the past decade, to grow DOK Industry Programme and make a small contribution to the long history of DOK Leipzig has been an absolute honour and privilege. I want to thank my immediate team and colleagues for their support and hard work. Leaving such a beautiful job was not an easy decision, but I hope I am leaving fertile earth for those who come next,” O’Shea said. “Most of all, I want say thank you to the partners, accredited guests, and of course the amazing projects and films that have been through our markets, meetings and events over the years.”
O'Shea will now focus on her work with the Documentary Association of Europe (DAE), of which she is a founding member. Dear Brigid, we wish you all the best for your future endeavors!
For more details please read our press release.
We will announce more personnel changes for the DOK Industry section soon.
