BFI’s Annabel Grundy replaces Sylvia Bednarz 

BFI’s Global Screen Fund project manager Annabel Grundy has been appointed as Sheffield DocFest’s managing director.  

Annabel Grundy

The festival is transitioning into a joint leadership model after former managing director Sylvia Bednarz departed in July after nine years. Grundy will lead the festival in tandem with acting creative director Raul Niño Zambrano, who is responsible for setting the agenda across the festival’s film programmes. 

From December, she will be responsible for the charity’s business affairs, partnerships and fundraising, production and operations and audience development. 

At the BFI, she established and managed the BFI’s £7m government fund designed to support international growth opportunities in the screen sector for two years, and had financial oversight of international co-production, business development and film sales awards.  

Grundy said that the appointment “feels like coming home” having participated in the festival as a consultant and industry decision maker.  

“I know intimately how much care and expertise goes into crafting an outstanding programme each year. I’m honoured to join the dedicated and passionate team that delivers a world class programme, right here in Sheffield, and excited to take the charity forward into our 30-year celebrations in 2023, developing future editions and our year-round activity,” she said.  

The festival will celebrate its 30th edition in 2023, running from 14-19 June.