New leader at helm of Leeds International Festival

Leeds International Festival, which showcases the city and also global cultural talent to the world is already planning next year's events - and they start with a new boss.
ON BOARD: Gemma Holsgrove is at the helm of Leeds International Festival for 2019.ON BOARD: Gemma Holsgrove is at the helm of Leeds International Festival for 2019.
ON BOARD: Gemma Holsgrove is at the helm of Leeds International Festival for 2019.

Gemma Holsgrove will be at the helm of LIF 2019, taking place in May, having in the last two years project-managed “Winchester, The Royal City” for Hampshire Cultural Trust and been Creative Producer at York Mediale last year, pioneering a new 10-day international media art festival.

Her remit with LIF 2019 is to showcase Leeds’ diverse talents, attract national and international interest and bring some of the best brains across several industries into our city.

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She said: “I am so excited to get to work on Leeds International Festival 2019. “Building on previous years’ exceptional line-ups, I plan to continue to push those boundaries, encouraging innovative and experimental thinking here in the city of Leeds, and beyond.”

Andrew Cooper, chief executive of LeedsBID added: “The Leeds International Festival has become an established showcase event in the city. Using events to amplify and raise the profile of Leeds is key and Gemma’s expertise will enable and support this ambition.”

LIF launched in 2017 and combines music, moving image and technology to bring the most diverse voices from these industries to workshops, talks, premieres and exhibitions across the city.

Last month the festival won international acclaim when it was presented with the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence at an awards held in Texas, USA.