Simon Field, an influential film programmer and producer who championed directors such as Wang Bing, Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Christopher Nolan, has died at the age of 80. His death was confirmed by film critic Geoff Andrew, with tributes following from the Rotterdam Film Festival and collaborators including Weerasethakul, who described him as an irreplaceable creative partner.

Field died on 16 July. He served as Festival Director and Co-Director of the Rotterdam Film Festival from 1996 to 2004, during which its Tiger Competition honoured filmmakers including Nolan, Lou Ye, Hong Sang-soo and Pablo Trapero. Earlier in his career he founded the journal Afterimage and was Director of Cinema at London's ICA from 1988 to 1996. After leaving Rotterdam, he produced acclaimed films through Illumination Films, including Weerasethakul's Palme d'Or-winning Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives and Memoria.