In 1963, film critic Richard Roud and Amos Vogel founded the New York Film Festival, which was designed to give mainstream American audiences exposure to high-quality international and independently produced U.S. films. During the '50s and '60s, the selections Roud made for each festival had great impact on American filmgoers and Hollywood. Though born in the U.S., Roud spent most of his adult life in Europe. During the '50s, he was a London reporter for the Cahiers du Cinéma. Beginning in 1963, Roud began working for the Manchester Guardian and stayed with them through his death in 1989. For his many contributions to cinema, Roud was one of the few foreigners to receive the French Legion of Honor. He directed the New York festival from 1969 until late 1987 when a scandal erupted and Roud was fired. In retaliation, a number of critics resigned from the program.
by Sandra Brennan
biography
