We are thrilled to confirm the appointment of Mimi Poskitt as our new Managing Director.
Mimi joins Sheffield DocFest from Imagineer Productions, the country's foremost outdoor arts organisation, where she was Executive Director overseeing the overall management and strategic direction of the company. Mimi will join the Festival at the beginning of March.
As Managing Director, Mimi will take the festival into its next chapter, responsible for the charity’s business affairs, including growing audiences, overseeing production and operations, and extending the festival’s partnerships and fundraising avenues. The role is a joint leadership position and will work collaboratively with Creative Director Raul Niño Zambrano. Raul is responsible for setting the programme agenda across the Festival’s Film Programmes, Alternate Realities exhibition, Marketplace & Talent activities, and Talks & Sessions for the 32nd edition in 2025.
Alex Cooke, Chair of the Board of Trustees, says - “We are delighted to welcome Mimi to lead Sheffield DocFest as our new Managing Director. Mimi brings with her years of creative and strategic leadership experience, both nationally and internationally, coupled with a strong understanding of the power of factual storytelling and the huge potential of live events. Based in Yorkshire, and a former senior producer at Leeds Playhouse, she fully grasps the rich and diverse possibilities the region presents. Mimi will be building on the great work done by our previous Managing Director, Annabel Grundy. The combination of Mimi’s strengths sees her well-placed to further develop Sheffield DocFest’s tremendous relationship with its audiences, both in South Yorkshire and across the world.”
Raul Niño Zambrano, Creative Director says - “I am truly delighted to welcome Mimi to the team. From our very first conversations about the future of Sheffield DocFest, it felt like we had known each other for years. Her leadership, passion, and expertise are exactly what we need to take DocFest to new heights. I have no doubt that, together with the entire team, we will shape an exciting future for the festival. I can’t wait to join forces and bring our shared vision to life.”
Mimi Poskitt, incoming Managing Director says - “I am incredibly excited and honored to step into the role of Managing Director at Sheffield DocFest. This festival has long been a beacon for outstanding storytelling and a platform for sharing human experiences that matter.
This is a wonderful and exciting new journey for me – a new collaboration, new partnerships and a new adventure. My early career started in documentary and factual TV, and this role at Sheffield DocFest feels like coming home. In a world where truth, perspective, and empathy are more crucial than ever, documentaries offer us a deeper understanding of our shared human experience, helping us stay curious about the world we live in. Sheffield DocFest champions the form, the people and the process of filmmaking. I bring to this role my passion for people and partnerships and my commitment to supporting filmmakers and artists.”
Mimi Poskitt continues - “We are lucky enough to have some incredible partners and audiences across the city of Sheffield and beyond, supporting us on this iconic event. I look forward to working alongside Sheffield DocFest’s Creative Director, Raul, the DocFest board, and the team, to continue nurturing this incredible community, championing diverse narratives, and pushing the boundaries of what documentary filmmaking means in 2025.
Together, we will ensure that Sheffield DocFest remains at the forefront of celebrating the art of documentary and its power to engage, inform, and inspire audiences around the world.”
Planning is now underway for the 32nd edition of the Sheffield DocFest taking place, 18th – 23rd June, 2025. Click here to find out more.
Picture by Richard Lakos.
