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Jon Fitzgerald has been named executive director of the Santa Barbara Intl. Film Festival. He will work closely with incoming board president Arnold Kassoy and oversee artistic direction, development, marketing and overall festival management.

Fitzgerald was formerly the director of the Slamdance and AFI film festivals, each for a three-year period. He is also founder of the Santa Monica-based indie film company Marine Street Films. His first project, "Criminal Procedure," was set up at Montecito Picture Co. and will be distributed by DreamWorks.

Prior to launching his own production company, Fitzgerald served as VP of programming for iFilm.com. He was also recently a visiting lecturer at UC Santa Barbara.

"To say I'm excited about this opportunity would be an understatement," said Fitzgerald. "I look forward to building on the success the SBIFF has achieved, enhancing their current strengths and incorporating fresh ideas that will help the festival grow."

Fitzgerald will also be looking to create new sponsorships and a marketing program to tie fund-raising, hospitality and PR more closely to the local community.