Local author and poet Amber Dawn is leaving Out on Screen for a second time.

Amber Dawn was the artistic director of the Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF) from 2009 until she left in 2012 to work on her next book. However, she returned to become co-artistic director with playwright, director, performer, and arts organizer Anoushka Ratnarajah in March 2017 after Shana Myara left the position.

During her time with the VQFF, Amber Dawn helped create the artist-in-residence program, multidisciplinary programs such as the Root during the 30^th festival (which ran from August 9 to 19), and starting up the Coast is Genderqueer shorts program to focus on gender-diverse identities.  

Amber Dawn, who teaches creative writing the University of British Columbia, released her sophomore novel, Sodom Road Exit, this year.

Ratnarajah has subsequently been appointed artistic director of Out on Screen for the 31^st edition of VQFF, which will be held from August 15 to 25 in 2019.

The Georgia Straight has contacted Out on Screen for further information.

Meanwhile, Out on Screen's fundraising fall gala, which includes a cocktail party and art auction, will be held on November 3.