After three years as creative director of the ReFrame Film Festival, Eryn Lidster is stepping down.
“Over the past three years, Eryn has shaped ReFrame with fierce kindness, wisdom, compassion, and deep integrity,” states an email from the festival sent on Monday afternoon (May 11).
“A skilled and thoughtful curator, they have led the programming of three extraordinary festivals, guiding the festival through a complex period of hybrid presentation while deepening its artistic vision and community impact.”
Lidster was appointed to the role in April 2023 to replace Amy Siegel, who served as creative director since 2018, joining festival director Kait Dueck in co-leadership of the festival, Dueck was hired in October 2022 to replace Jay Adam, who was in the festival director role since 2018.
“As many audience members will understand, this work is not easy,” Lidster writes in a message to festival supporters, noting the decision to step down was made “with much consideration.”
“While I have been deeply affected by the hardships inherent in working towards justice, I have been even more deeply influenced by the care, dedication, and strength of all of you who do this work. I will cherish the memories and relationships I have built over the past three years. I owe particular thanks to Kait Dueck, Ferne Cristall, Mike Morritt, the Board, the Programming Advisory Committee, and the staff and volunteers — past and present — on whose shoulders I have stood.”
“It has been an honour to be part of the history of ReFrame, and I will be forever grateful for the learning, care, and inspiration you have shared with me,” Lidster adds. “While I am sad to be leaving, I am excited for new voices to become part of the fabric of this wonderful organization. I can’t wait to see what the future brings for ReFrame, and what ReFrame brings for our future.”
With Lidster’s decision to step down, ReFrame is seeking its next creative director to support the 2027 festival season and beyond.
Reporting to the board of directors, the creative director is responsible for the creative and artistic vision of the festival, overseeing all aspects of creative programming, including curation of artistic work, organizing guests and events, managing the programming budget, creating the festival schedule, leading communications, and representing the organization in the media.
The creative director works in a collaborative co-directorship model with the executive director, sharing responsibility for the organization’s operations and overall direction. The executive director leads on finance, fundraising, administration, and governance, while both roles collaborate closely on communications and day-to-day operations.
The full-time creative director position pays an annual salary of $49,000 to $55,000 with a comprehensive health benefits package.
For more information and to apply, visit reframefilmfestival.ca/about-reframe/careers/. Applications are due by June 1.
