The Galway Film Fleadh has introduced its new festival programmer. Longtime staff member Gar O’Brien will take over from Felim Mac Dermott, programmer since 2006, for the 2011 event.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to build upon the achievements of Felim, and I look forward to delivering an ever more varied and exciting programme for audiences both old and new," said O'Brien.

The new programmer has a master's in film studies at the Huston School of Film and Digital Media in NUI Galway and is currently writing a PhD on "issues of complex and ambiguous narration in contemporary cinema".

In further Fleadh news, the junior branch of the event has extended the deadline for its story pitch competition. Interested participants aged 13-18 should submit story ideas by October 20th. Full details at galwayfilmcentre.ie.