The Ann Arbor Film Festival (AAFF) has just announced that festival director Donald Harrison has submitted his resignation, after helming this year's successful 50th anniversary edition of the fest.

During his four years as director, Donald was responsible for positive changes within the AAFF. Under his leadership, the organization built an outstanding staff, which have rebuilt the festival’s international reputation - making it, once again, one of the most renowned film festivals in the world. Donald opened the AAFF to other community organizations that now participate with several of the festival’s programs; and under Donald’s leadership, the AAFF initiated additional special programs throughout the calendar year, introducing AAFF to many new people.

Mike Huget, vice chair, said in a press release, "Donald did an outstanding job for the festival he will be difficult to replace." The Board of Directors have begun a search for his replacement. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact Julie Crichton at Julieecrichton@gmail.com.

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest running independent and experimental film festival in North America, internationally recognized as a premier forum for film as an art form. The AAFF receives more than 2,500 submissions annually from over than 70 countries and serves as one of a handful of Academy Award-qualifying festivals in the United States. The AAFF is a pioneer of the traveling film festival tour, and each year visits more than 35 theaters, universities, museums and art house cinemas around the world. The 51st Ann Arbor Film Festival takes place March 19-24, 2013. For more information, visit aafilmfest.org