John Cooper, former director of the Sundance Film Festival, has been named the True West Film Center’s new Artistic Director.

As artistic director, Cooper will focus on crafting and implementing the artistic vision guiding all programs, including education, film screenings and the yearly True West Film Festival.

Cooper’s position comes as the True West Film Center prepares to move to the James Redford Campus with a three-screen cinema and educational spaces opening this summer in Healdsburg, Calif., the historic wine country town north of San Francisco.

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“I am delighted to welcome John to True West as our new Artistic Director,” executive director Kathryn Philip said. “Over a decades-long career, Cooper has demonstrated visionary artistic leadership, exceptional curatorial know-how, and a passion for supporting independent filmmakers. As we look toward opening our cinemas and expanding our programs to serve more Sonoma County residents than ever before, I am thrilled that we will do so with the benefit of Cooper’s deep experience and well-honed creative instincts.”

Before his time at Sundance, he led Outfest, Los Angeles’ annual festival celebrating LGBTQ+ films, from 1995 to 1998.