M ore change is afoot for Toronto-based documentary festival and conference organization Hot Docs, after news that co-president and executive director Heather Conway is transitioning to an advisory position after spending only six months in her dual role.

Conway (pictured), a former executive vice president of English services at CBC/Radio-Canada, joined Hot Docs in mid-October following an extensive search to replace previous executive director Brett Hendrie, who had left the organization in March 2021. As co-president and executive director, she was given responsibility for the strategic leadership and management of the annual Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, industry programs and other year-round initiatives, working in collaboration with her fellow co-president Chris McDonald and longtime Hot Docs directors Alan Black and Erin Lau.

Hot Docs managing director Black, however, announced his imminent departure from the organization earlier this month, shortly after the line-up for this year’s edition of the festival was announced. Black said via social media that “this festival will be my last.”

Conway will transition to her new advisory role, which will cover strategic planning for the organization, on May 13. In her stead, Lau and Paul Lewis, conference director of World Congress of Science and Factual Producers, have been named as interim co-executive directors, while McDonald will assume sole leadership of Hot Docs.

“We are extremely grateful for Heather’s tremendous contributions during her tenure, and look forward to her ongoing involvement in Hot Docs’ future planning,” said Robin Mirsky, co-chair of Hot Docs’ board of directors, in a statement issued Thursday (April 14). “Her decision to transition from her current role comes after much thoughtful reflection on how best to restructure the organization for greater success and how she could best contribute her considerable talents. We thank her for her valuable insight and commitment to Hot Docs.”

“I love Hot Docs and have immense respect for the hard work and dedication of its talented team,” offered Conway. “There is a strong mission in place for the organization and very capable people already there to realize it. I remain a passionate member of the community and look forward to working with Chris to advise on strategic planning and contribute to the ongoing success of Hot Docs.”

The next edition of the Hot Docs Festival takes place in Toronto from April 28 to May 8.

With files from Andrew Jeffrey and Andrew Tracy

This story originally appeared in Realscreen