Aspen Film, which organizes international events such as the Aspen Filmfest and Aspen Shortsfest, announced Wednesday its co-directors George Eldred and Laura Thielen have resigned, effective June 30.
"George and Laura have been with Aspen Film for 20 years, and they've decided it's time to leave," Board President Howard Gross said. The pair intend to pursue new projects after they leave Aspen Film, according to a release.
Thielen and Eldred will continue their current positions through the 2015 Shortsfest in April. Then, they'll work with the organization's programming team for the 2015 Aspen Filmfest in September, which will be the last festival "bearing their creative imprint," said the release.
Gross added that Aspen Film will start the process of replacing Thielen and Eldred immediately. The organization is conducting a national search for someone to start at the beginning of July.
"We're looking for a permanent replacement, a single person who will fill both George's and Laura's roles," Gross said.