ICO Staff
Catharine Des Forges (Director of ICO – on maternity leave)
After completing her MA in Film and Television at the University of London in 1993, Catharine worked in the bfi's Regional Exhibition Unit, programming and advising a range of independent cinemas for 3 years. She then worked as a freelance programmer and arts consultant where she worked for a number of organisations including the Arts Council assessing lottery applications, as well as programming the Brief Encounters Short Film Festival for 3 years and monthly slots at the National Film Theatre. In 2000, Catharine was appointed Senior Programmer of the Bfi's Programme Unit, where she was responsible for touring and curating film programmes. During this time she undertook a secondment at Arts Council, East Midlands, developing a strategy for digital arts for the region. She has also lectured in film at a number of UK universities and is a regular contributor to industry events and a frequent filmmaker Q&A host. Catharine has recently delivered training programmes for independent exhibitors in Bogota, Colombia and for Europa Cinemas at the Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna. She is joint Artistic Director of the London Children's Film Festival which takes place at the Barbican and a number of venues in greater London from 17–25 November 2007. Catharine founded the ICO in 2003 and has been its Director ever since.
