The BFI announced this week that Tanya Seghatchian, Head of the Film Fund at the BFI, is to leave and return to filmmaking.

Responsible for funding and overseeing the development and production of many award-winning British feature films, her credits have included Tom Hooper’;s The King’;s Speech, Jane Campion’;s Bright Star and Andrea Arnold’;s Fish Tank. Upcoming releases include Lynne Ramsay’;s We Need to Talk About Kevin, Terence Davies’; The Deep Blue Sea and Steve McQueen’;s Shame, each of which will receive its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.

On announcing her decision to leave, Seghatchian said: “It’;s been a pleasure and a privilege to have spent four years working with some of the UK’;s most talented filmmakers. With the dedicated team at the Film Fund we’;ve achieved more than I’;d dare hope amidst a recession, an abolition and a lengthy transition process. In a spectacular year for British film, we’;ve backed great British filmmakers and some strong new voices. Our films are enjoying critical success and major festival exposure ahead of the awards season, as well as taking money at the box office. But even so, four years determining the tone and direction of Lottery backed investment in British film is long enough. I feel that it’;s time for someone else to be the public sector champion for the remarkable filmmaking talent we have in the UK and I wish the BFI every success in the future.”

Amanda Nevill, CEO of the BFI added: “Tanya has made a huge contribution to the UK film industry. She brings a rare balance of independence of vision, commercial instinct and cultural understanding, and she has a real eye for backing talent. Tanya’;s heart lies in filmmaking and she will go on to make some great films; we look forward to working with her.”