New Artistic Director

Photo: Darwin Festival’s Artistic Director Felix Preval

Darwin Festival today announces the appointment of Felix Preval to the role of Artistic Director. Preval will oversee the development of the 2018-2020 Darwin Festivals programs.

Preval joined Darwin Festival as Head of Programming in 2016. Following the departure of Artistic Director Andrew Ross in November, Preval stepped into the role of Acting Artistic Director for the 2017 season.

A dynamic producer, programmer and festival manager, Preval has worked for arts festivals across Australia and New Zealand, the UK and the USA. He spent four successful years as Festival Producer of Melbourne Fringe Festival before joining Darwin Festival.

Along with festival management experience, Preval brings a wealth of knowledge from a decade of artistic practice as a director, actor and writer, and as former creative director of an award-winning independent theatre company.

The 2017 Darwin Festival enjoyed record-breaking success, with a 70% increase on gross box office and 75% increase on tickets sales. More than 36,500 tickets were sold and 85,000 attendees enjoyed the Festival’s free and ticketed events. Fifty per cent of the 183 ticketed shows sold out.

Chief Executive Officer Emily Mann will continue to lead the organisation.

The 2018 Darwin Festival will run from 9-26 August.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Matt Fraser matt@cardinalspin.com.au P: 02 8065 7363 M: 0401 326 007