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Film Critic Takes Helm at SXSW Fest
26 Mar
Summary
- Peter Debruge appointed Director of SXSW Film & TV Festival.
- He replaces Claudette Godfrey after two decades of service.
- Debruge is a veteran Variety film critic returning to Texas.
The South by Southwest Film & TV Festival has appointed veteran film critic Peter Debruge as its new Director, effective April 6. He succeeds Claudette Godfrey, who is departing after nearly two decades with the organization. Debruge, a 20-year veteran of Variety where he served as Chief Film Critic, will now lead the renowned festival.
This new role brings Debruge back to his home state of Texas, where he grew up in Waco and studied film at the University of Texas at Austin. His early career included contributions to local Austin publications, where he covered SXSW in the late 1990s. Debruge expressed excitement about returning to the festival that holds significant personal meaning and continues its legacy of supporting groundbreaking filmmakers.
Godfrey's tenure was marked by her support for emerging talents like Janicza Bravo, the Safdie brothers, and the Daniels. Her contributions were instrumental in shaping the festival into a globally relevant platform for discovery. SXSW leadership expressed gratitude for her impactful service and optimism for the festival's future under Debruge's guidance.
