Sean Farnel, documentaryprogrammer at the Toronto International Film Festival, has been appointed tothe newly-created post of director of programming at Hot Docs, the CanadianInternational Documentary Festival. As well as leading the programming team, Farnelwill be charged with refining the event's slate of professional developmentindustry programming.

Farnel told Screendaily:"It's an organic step forward in many ways both in terms of what I've beendoing over the past five years at TIFF and what's going on at Hot Docs. Italigns very nicely because they're looking for some strong leadership and it'sa great opportunity for me."

Farnel joins Hot Docs fulltime in November; he said the programming cycle begins at Amsterdam later thatmonth.

Hot Docs executive directorChris McDonald pointed to Farnell's international reputation he was selectedfrom a worldwide field of applicants - adding, "Sean has a loyal following ofdoc-lovers in the city who trust that his choices will always provechallenging, thoughtful and rewarding."

A graduate of Cinema Studiesat Montreal's Concordia University, Farnell became TIFF's first dedicateddocumentary programmer. During his tenure, he was key to bringing severalhighly-regarded titles including The Story Of The Weeping Camel (2000), Spellbound (2002), The Yes Men (2003) and Gunner Palace (2004).

The 13th editionof Hot Docs runs April 28 to May 7, 2006.