The director of Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival has resigned, after just two seasons in the role.
Marten Rabarts. Photo: Supplied
Festival director Marten Rabarts announced his departure as the festival ends its season tomorrow.
The film festival was only held in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin this year, having to bypass Auckland entirely due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Rabarts was named director of NZIFF in 2019 after long-time director Bill Gosden retired after running the acclaimed film festival for 40 years. Gosden died in 2020 at age 66.
The film festival has suffered through two pandemic-affected seasons during Rabarts' term. In 2020, it launched a part online, part in-theatre festival, but this year's event, which was delayed from its usual winter timing, was entirely in cinemas.
"It's been a wild ride taking on the role of festival director just as the pandemic descended," Rabarts said in a statement.
"Having steered the festival through what we hope is the worst of the storm, it's time for a director who will consolidate and future-proof the festival."
New Zealand Film Festival Trust chair Catherine Fitzgerald thanked Marten for delivering a festival in uncertain times.
"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 programme - in 11 centres around the country under Alert Level 2 restrictions.
"It has been a very challenging time and we acknowledge that this hasn't been conducive to fulfilling the vision of a more international and industry-engaged festival that Marten brought to NZIFF. We're very sorry to lose him but respect and understand his decision."
Marten 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.
A native of Coromandel, Marten had lived for most of the last 20 years in the Netherlands.
Rabarts said with travel restrictions easing he is moving on to develop a key role in a new film and arts project in Europe while also stepping up to play a more active role with whānau business interests in Coromandel after "a bit of a sabbatical which I've been talking about taking since 2010."
Fitzgerald said the festival will work with the government and stakeholders to pave the way for future events.
"We will now be looking to shape the structure of the festival for 2022 and the years ahead."
The 2021 festival continues until 5 December with encore screenings in Wellington next week and screenings continuing in Tauranga, Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Masterton and Nelson.