HONG KONG -- Peter Tsi Ka-kei has quit as executive director of the Hong Kong Int'l Film Festival.

Resignation was tendered Monday to the fest board, which accepted it with immediate effect.

Tsi confirmed to Variety that he had resigned. But he offered no further explanation. A spokesman for the festival cited only "personal reasons."

According to industry sources, Tsi's abrupt departure follows a period of mounting tension within the org. Tsi had long been outspoken on the need for more financial and promotional support for the festival from gov't sources. The fest receives some HK$7 million ($900,000) from the Arts Development Council towards a budget of $2.5 million.

But the 2007 event faced criticisms from film critics that fest had become too commercial as a result of its quest for sponsorship and private sector cash.

In the short term Tsi's responsibilities will be shared by the fest's artistic director Li Cheuk-to and administrative director Jannie Ma. Spokesman said that fest will seek applicants for a replacement through public advertisement.

The HKIFF Society organizes two annual events, the protracted March HKIFF, which has completed 31 frames, and the more youth oriented Summer IFF.

Next edition of the HKIFF is skedded to run March 17 - April 16, 2008.

© Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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