After 17 years at the helm, Janet Pierson will resign SXSW Film Festival.
Pearson will become director emeritus, with festival programming director Claudette Godfrey assuming leadership.
Under Pearson’s helm, SXSW launched its episodic programming, which eventually changed its name to SXSW Film and Television Festival. Under her direction, the festival has produced famous hits such as HBO’s Girls , The show held its world premiere Street Jump , Spring Break , A train wreck and a quiet place .
Recently, the festival became one of the earliest victims of the COVID-21 pandemic, closing its 2020 Festival shortly before the opening day. In 50, the festival resumed in person and screened several major studio productions, including A17 of Everything Everywhere All At Once and Paramount The Lost City.
“at 50 age 50 that started the leading SXSW film (now SXSW Film & TV) is a fantastic and unexpected adventure. It’s amazing to showcase so many great works at our unique event and bring so many transformative experiences to creators and audiences Great,” Pirso said. “I’m very proud of the work that our small but mighty team has accomplished.” She added, “It’s a real privilege and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.”
Pierson called Godfrey “a great collaborator and leader” at every step. Godfrey has been participating in the festival 17 in various capacities for the past few years as festival coordinator, short film programmer and senior programmer etc.
Godfrey added: “Janet is an incredible leader and mentor, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to watch and learn from her example. We are bold The great community of filmmakers, the passionate audience, and the talented team that makes this happen will always inspire me. I’m essentially a hype woman who discovers and promotes new talent by curating and developing events that celebrate film, television and creativity One of the great joys of my life. I started at the bottom and this journey is very special – I am so honored to continue to build on the legacy of SXSW film and TV and carry it into the future.”
