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Sydney Writers’ Festival today announces the appointment of Tamara Zimet as its new Artistic Director, marking a significant return to the Festival for one of Australia’s leading literary programmers, after six years curating programs at Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Zimet began her programming career at Sydney Writers’ Festival in 2016 as Program Coordinator, before being promoted to Program Manager in 2017 and ultimately Associate Director in 2018, co-curating the Festival’s program.
Since joining Edinburgh International Book Festival in 2020, Zimet has held increasingly senior programming roles, culminating in her appointment as Director of Programming in 2024. In that role, she plays a leading part in shaping the artistic program and contributing to the strategic development of one of the world's leading celebrations of books and ideas.
Tamara Zimet said returning to Sydney Writers’ Festival as Artistic Director is both a professional and personal homecoming.
“Sydney Writers’ Festival is where I began my career in literary programming a decade ago, so to return to Australia as the Artistic Director is an enormous honour.
“SWF plays such a unique role in Australian cultural life—bringing the world’s leading writers and ideas to Sydney, celebrating extraordinary Australian writing, and creating a place where readers and writers come together with curiosity, generosity and a real sense of community.
“Even from afar, I have been so delighted to see the festival grow under Brooke Webb, Ann Mossop and the team, and have been so encouraged by its creativity and culture.
“After six incredible years in Edinburgh, I’m thrilled to be coming home to SWF with everything I have learned and the relationships I have developed. I'm so looking forward to connecting with readers, writers, publishers and partners in Sydney and beyond to build on the Festival's extraordinary foundations, and to work with the team to shape its next exciting chapter."
During her six years in Edinburgh, Zimet has played a key role in shaping the Festival’s artistic direction, creating ambitious programs, growing audiences and building an extensive international network of writers, publishers, agents and cultural partners.
She also brings extensive experience across Australia’s literary and cultural sector. In 2019, Zimet founded and directed Broadside, the Wheeler Centre’s festival of feminist ideas, which attracted more than 17,000 people and featured Zadie Smith, Helen Garner, Jia Tolentino, Aileen Moreton-Robinson, Monica Lewinsky and Mona Eltahawy.
Sydney Writers’ Festival CEO Brooke Webb said Zimet’s appointment comes at an exciting moment for the organisation.
“There is something incredibly special about welcoming Tamara home to Sydney Writers’ Festival ten years after she began her programming career here.
“She left SWF as an enormously talented programmer and returns with six years at one of the world’s great literary festivals, strong editorial judgement and a clear sense of what a contemporary writers’ festival can be. She also brings a deep understanding of SWF, our audiences and the Australian literary community.
“Tamara joins SWF at an exciting point in our evolution. We have an ambitious annual Festival, a growing year-round program and audiences with a real appetite for great books and writers, big ideas, complexity, joy and genuine exchange.
“SWF has become a leading voice in the global literary conversation, bringing some of the world’s most important writers and ideas to Sydney while proudly championing Australian voices. Ann Mossop has played an important role in that success, and Tamara’s international perspective, experience and relationships make her particularly well placed to build on what has been achieved.
“Tamara is an exceptional appointment to lead SWF’s artistic vision into its next chapter, and I am absolutely delighted to welcome her home.”
Tamara's appointment comes as Sydney Writers’ Festival continues to expand its year-round activity alongside its annual May Festival, including its partnership with the State Library of NSW.
Zimet will commence as Artistic Director of Sydney Writers’ Festival in November 2026.