20/11/2014 - Executive brings with him experience from Koch Media and Curzon Artificial Eye

The British Film Institute has appointed Ben Luxford to the new role of Head of UK Audiences. Reporting to BFI Film Fund Director, Ben Roberts, Luxford will begin from February 16, 2015. Luxford will work with various BFI departments to build a strategic approach to audience development across the UK.

Luxford joins the BFI from distributor Koch Media where he is currently Head of Distribution. He will continue to oversee the current slate – including the Film Fund-supported family comedy Bill and drama X+Y [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - during his transition to the BFI.

Before joining Koch, Luxford was Head of Theatrical Distribution at UK distributor Curzon Artificial Eye where he was responsible for several high profile campaigns including for Paolo Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Paolo Sorrentino
film profile], Roger Michell’s Le Week-end [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], Clio Barnard’s The Selfish Giant [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Clio Barnard
interview: Clio Barnard
film profile] and Abdellatif Kechiche’s Blue is the Warmest Colour [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Abdellatif Kechiche
film profile]. 

Roberts said, “The future economic success of British films depends upon active and new thinking and is absolutely key to achieving our ambitions for growing audiences for British and specialised film across all platforms and in as wide a geographical area as possible. Ben brings an intelligent, instinctive approach to audience development, and his experience from the coalface will provide invaluable support for exhibitors and distributors. I’m really looking forward to having him on board.”

Luxford said, “There has never been a more necessary time for the BFI to create a joined up approach to reaching new audiences in order to react to the emerging opportunities in the film landscape. I can’t wait to get started.”