The Sundance Institute has appointed Channel 4 commissioning editor Tabitha Jackson as its documentary film programme director.
Jackson - who will be supervising a staff of eight - will oversee $1.8 million (£1.1 million) in filmmaker grants and five creative labs annually after she takes up the position on December 6. She replaces Cara Mertes - who has left the institute to take up a role as the director of social justice filmmaking programme JustFilms.
Jackson has more than 20 years experience in the non-fiction field, including a stint as editor at More 4 at Channel 4, where she ran the day-to-day operations for the UK’s sixth largest digital channel including running the two key areas of original programming True Stories and More 4 Arts. Over the course of her career at Channel 4, she supported documentary films including The Imposter, The Cove, Burma VJ and Which Way Home.
Sundance Institute's executive director Keri Putnam said: “Tabitha’s professional experience, demonstrated leadership, and passion for the field make her an ideal candidate to lead our documentary program at this time.
“We were impressed with her infectious enthusiasm and fresh approach to storytelling, creating engaging content, and discovering new voices. I am confident that Tabitha will be a great leader in service of our core mission and will advance and deepen our impact and reach on a global level.”
Speaking about her department from Channel 4, its head of factual Ralph Lee said: “Tabitha has made the arts on Channel 4 truly distinctive with original commissions like Random Acts, House Party, Street Summer and the BAFTA-winning In The Best Possible Taste with Grayson Perry.
“She also made a real mark in documentaries backing The Arbor, The Imposter and Dreams Of A Life. We’ll miss her unique output and her presence as a colleague, but we wish all the best at Sundance.”
If her Twitter feed is anything to go by, she'll be bringing some welcome humour to the role as well as a wealth of experience. When congratulated on the move, she tweeted The Great Hip Hop Hoax director Jeannie Finlay, saying: "Still all subject to visa. Bit of a premature one. But if I don't get it I'm moving to Hartlepool."
