The International Film Festival Rotterdam has appointed Iwana Chronis as manager of the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF), which supports filmmakers in developing countries.

Chronis, who is currently coordinator of the partners programme at the Movies That Matter Festival in The Hague, joins in early June and replaces Bicana Taal. Taal, who was in the role for two years, is leaving to join the Binger Filmlab in Amsterdam.

Chronis will be responsible for broadening support for the fund and spearheading its HBF’s attempts to help the filmmakers secure distribution in their native countries.

Founded in 1988, HBF has a strong record of identifying filmmakers subsequently feted at major festivals. It has supported many prize winning films, including Carlos Reygadas’ debut Japon, Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Uzak and Cristian Mungiu’s 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.

It is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dutch non-governmental development organisations Hivos-NCDO Culture Foundation, the DOEN Foundation, Dioraphte Foundation and Dutch public broadcasting network NPS.

The 39th edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam runs from January 27- February 7 next year.

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