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Sean Farnel

Director of Programming for Hot Docs, Canadian International Documentary Festival (April 17-27, 2008). Sean was appointed to this newly created position in November 2005, following six years as a programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival Group. In 2000, Sean became the first documentary programmer for TIFFG, while also launching the Festival Group?s hugely successful screening and discussion series, Reel Talk. While at TIFFG, Sean also founded Jump Cuts and the Student Film Showcase, continuing programmes created to provide screening opportunities to youth and emerging filmmakers. Along with curation, Sean managed TIFFG's Learning programmes, and in 2003 proposed and drafted a Strategic Plan for Public Film Education. Sean began his association with Hot Docs in 2000, when he founded Doc Soup, a very popular screening series. Now in its sixth season, and presented by Hot Docs, Doc Soup attracts 800 people to monthly screenings of current documentary. Before being appointed Director of Programming at Hot Docs, Sean was responsible for programming and moderating Industry related programming for the Festival. Sean is a graduate of Cinema Studies at one of Canada's most respected film schools, Concordia University. Upon graduation, Sean received the Motion Picture Foundation of Canada Award for Most Outstanding Achievement.