Hot Docs has appointed Shane Smith as its new director of programming, the organization announced Wednesday.

Smith, who was mostly recently director of special projects at the Toronto International Film Festival, will start his new gig at Hot Docs on Oct. 5.

As director of programming at Hot Docs, Smith will be responsible for leading the festival’s programming team, developing a programming vision for the festival as well as contributing to long-term strategic planning. He will also work with various departments at Hot Docs to develop new initiatives, as well as with the senior management team to direct existing online and live event projects.

In his most recent role at TIFF, Smith was responsible for overseeing a variety of events and initiatives at the TIFF Lightbox Theatre, including TIFF in the Park, Nuite Blanche, the digiPlaySpace travelling exhibition and Short Cuts programming. Prior to that, he was the director of public programs at TIFF, and also held various programming positions at Spafax Canada and Silver Screen Classics. Smith also served as the Canadian Film Centre’s Worldwide Short Film Festival for six years.

Current Hot Docs programming manager Sarafina DiFelice will take on the newly created position of associate director of programming. In that expanded role, DiFelice will be tasked with strategic assignments to help build Hot Docs’ programming brand and outreach.

Photo credit: George Pimental