After 15 years heading the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival and growing the annual Austin, Texas-based event into a major player, festival director Janet Pierson is passing the baton to longtime deputy Claudette Godfrey, SXSW announced today.
“Leading SXSW Film (now SXSW Film & TV) starting in 2008 at the age of 50 was a wonderful, and quite unexpected, adventure,” said Pierson in a statement. “It’s been glorious to present so much great work at our unique event, yielding so many transformative experiences for creators and audience alike. I’m intensely proud of the work our small and very mighty team has accomplished.”
Pierson, a respected 45-year industry veteran and beloved fixture in the independent film world, will shift to a new role as director emeritus and programmer as planning continues for the 2023 festival. Godfrey, who has been with the organization since 2006, will assume the role of VP, director of film and TV.
