A tribute to Simon Field (1946 – 2026)
We at the Kraszna-Krausz Foundation were fortunate to have had the privilege and pleasure of working with Simon Field who died last month. Simon was a trustee of the Foundation, joining the board in 2022. He was invariably enthusiastic, thoughtful and generous with his time, his considered insights and much-valued guidance. We will miss him a great deal and send our condolences to Simon’s wife, wider family and global network of friends and colleagues.
Simon’s passion for film making and production, and his dedication over decades to championing non-mainstream film and discovering new, talented film makers, programmers and curators has been joyfully remembered and much celebrated over the past few weeks.
He began his career as a writer and lecturer in film studies in the 1970s and was one of the founding editors of the radical film journal Afterimage. In 1988 he became Director of Cinema at the ICA, where his openness and creative vision consolidated and expanded the Institute’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading proponents of alternative cinema. In 1996 he was made Director of the Rotterdam Film Festival and Co-Director IFFR. In 2004, he moved into film production, joining Keith Griffiths at Illuminations Films.
Simon collaborated closely for many years with the Thai writer/director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, producing (among other titles) Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives which won a Palme d’Or in 2010, and Weerasethakul’s first English language feature Memoria in 2021. Indeed, they continued to work together on Apichatpong’s forthcoming film Jenjira’s Magnificent Dream until very recently.
The many, many tributes to Simon that have come from all over the world make clear the high esteem and deep affection in which he was held, both professionally and personally. Links to just a few of these remembrances can be found below.
Remembering Simon Field: programmer, producer and dear, dear friend by Geoff Andrew
Read here
A tribute from Apichatpong Weerasethakul
View here
In memory of Simon Field, International Film Festival Rotterdam
Read here
In memory of Simon Field, ICA
View here
Simon Field obituary: adventurous British Film programmer, producer and festival director
Read here