Michaelle McLean is stepping down as director of the Toronto Documentary Forum, leaving her post, but not the Hot Docs festival to which it belongs.

McLean, who founded the deal-making sideshow nine years ago, is leaving to pursue ‘other professional opportunities,’ according to a statement issued by the festival on Monday, though she will continue to be associated with Hot Docs. She will oversee the new Canwest-Hot Docs Completion Fund.

Festival exec director Chris McDonald called working with McLean ‘a highlight’ of his career. ‘She had an ambitious vision for the TDF and with her extraordinary drive brought it to fruition.’

The search for a replacement will begin next month.