Paula Le Dieu appointed BFI's digital director

Le Dieu will take charge of all aspects of the BFI’s digital strategy, from growing online audiences and developing revenue streams to unifying the BFI’s online experience across all its properties and services.

She will take an executive board position and reports to BFI director Amanda Nevill.

BFI executives said the new post was critical as the BFI strengthened its commitment to digital operation and moved forward its plans for a BFI Film Centre that connects with audiences digitally as well as in person.

Staff have already digitised thousands of hours of archive film and made them available to view at one of the BFI Mediatheques, on the BFI’s YouTube channel, via streaming sites such as Jaman, or via download.

Hundreds of British films and clips including television are on BFI Screenonline, which is available for free in educational facilities and public libraries, while academics and researchers can access material via an online portal.

“We are in a new era as we really open up the archive and reach wider and more diverse audiences in many ways previously only imagined,” Nevill said. “We are thrilled to have Paula on board with all her experience and her connections as we pursue every new opportunity in this burgeoning digital universe.”

Following stints in theatre and newspapers, Le Dieu joined the new media division of the BBC in 2001 as a producer and eventually become project director for BBCi’s Creative Archive. She worked for the US-based non-profit body Creative Commons and served two years at Magic Lantern Productions as director of open media.