Newsweek film critic David Ansen has been appointed Artistic Director of the 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival, following the departure of Director of Programming Rachel Rosen to the San Francisco Film Society this past August. Joining him in leading the team at LAFF is Senior Programmer Doug Jones, who has been promoted to the post of Associate Director of Programming.

Festival Director Rebecca Yeldham said in a statement, "As a consummate movie lover, David is one of the finest critics thinking, watching, and writing about movies today.  To have David join our exceptional programming team is a dream come true, and will only further ignite the excitement building around LAFF, its direction, and its future." Ansen was part of the Documentary Jury for the 2009 installment of the Festival.

Ansen is now the second journalist to take on programming duties at an established Los Angeles festival. Film writer/critic Robert Koehler joined the AFI FEST team for the 2010 installment, programming alongside AFI FEST Artistic Director Rose Kuo and programmer Lane Kneedler. AFI FEST tried something new this year in offering tickets to the public for free. Perhaps we can convince Ansen to do the same?

While Sundance isn't offering gratis tixx to festival attendees, the organization has announced an initiative that aims to make the festival experience more accessible to those who can't make it to Park City. Beginning on the night of Thursday, January 28, 2010, "Sundance Film Festival U.S.A." will head to eight cities with coinciding premiere screenings and topical events at the Festival in Utah.

The filmmakers and their films will be sent to art houses in Ann Arbor, MI; Brookline, MA; Brooklyn, NY; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Madison, WI; Nashville, TN; and San Francisco, CA. An introduction video featuring Robert Redford and highlights from the Festival will precede the screenings.

Sundance has experimented with satellite screenings in the past, including the 10-day "Sundance at BAM" series.