Ann Mossop is stepping down as director of the Sydney Writers’ Festival, according to multiple reports. The change comes as the festival enters a broader leadership shake-up. The articles say her departure follows a period described as both successful and difficult, with record ticket sales reported during her tenure. They also note that she spent a challenging year managing public and political debate around the festival’s programming and its engagement with current issues. The sources present the move as part of an ongoing transition in how the festival is led, rather than a reaction to a single event. While the reports focus on Mossop’s overall time in the role, they do not provide detailed information about who will take over immediately or the timeline for appointing a successor. The coverage is consistent in attributing both the festival’s strong audience performance and the complexities of the political environment to the circumstances surrounding her exit.