Bleach* Festival’s creator and inaugural Artistic Director Louise Bezzina has been appointed as the Brisbane Festival’s new Artistic Director. She will present her first Brisbane Festival program in 2020, taking over from David Berthold who will present his fifth and final festival next year.

Bezzina launched the Gold Coast’s Bleach* Festival in 2011, building it from a pilot project to a major annual event. She will deliver her eighth and final program for the festival next year. She led the festival through last year’s Commonwealth Games and was listed as one of the 11 inspiring women of the Commonwealth Games on International Women’s Day in 2018.

Louise Bezzina. Photo: supplied

Bezzina has been a fixture of the arts scene in Queensland, with previous roles including Program Manager for the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Producer at Brisbane Festival and Director of the Mackay Festival of Arts.

“After a competitive international search, the Board of Brisbane Festival is incredibly excited to appoint exemplary cultural leader Louise Bezzina to role of Artistic Director to guide Brisbane Festival future development alongside CEO Charlie Cush,” said Brisbane Festival Chair Paul Spiro.

“Louise’s deep understanding of festivals,...