Jennifer Bell Appointed Vice President Communications at Toronto International Film Festival Group

Toronto –Toronto– Piers Handling, Director & CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG), announced today the appointment of Jennifer Bell to the newly created position of Vice President Communications for the organization, effective March 9, 2009.

"We are pleased to welcome Jennifer to the senior leadership team at TIFFG. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in corporate and internal communications as well as media relations. I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments of our communications team and adding Jennifer to the mix acknowledges the importance of this area as we build toward our future,” said Handling.

Ms. Bell is a communications and public-affairs professional with extensive experience designing and implementing successful communications, media and public-affairs campaigns. Most recently, Bell held the position of Vice President Communications and Public Affairs at Vale Inco Limited. In that role, she oversaw all matters related to corporate communications, issues management, community investment and public affairs worldwide. Prior to this, Bell was Vice President Corporate and Public Affairs at Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., where she oversaw all matters relating to communications and public affairs, including strategic communications support for CanWest’s acquisition of Alliance Atlantis.

At TIFFG, Bell will provide strategic planning, development and execution of all external and internal communications efforts and will oversee all media relations for TIFFG. She will also provide counsel to the CEO, senior staff and the Board of Directors. Bell will lead the communications and media-relations team at TIFFG, which is comprised of: Andréa Grau Clunie, Director, Media Relations Toronto International Film Festival®; Marie Nazar, Manager Corporate Communications; Alma Parvizian, Coordinator; Lina Rodriguez, Publicist; and Tanya Koivusalo, Assistant.

"This is an extraordinarily exciting time for TIFFG and the cultural industries of our city,” said Ms. Bell. “I look forward to being part of this great organization in a time of transformational change”.

Over the past year, the leadership of TIFFG has evolved to reflect the growth of the organization. The promotions of Noah Cowan to Artistic Director of Bell Lightbox, Allen Braude and Elizabeth Muskala to Co-Directors of Learning, Cameron Bailey to Co-Director of the Toronto International Film Festival®, and Karen Black to Director of Canadian Initiatives, galvanize the programming leadership of the organization under the visionary direction of Piers Handling. The addition of the position of VP Communications to the Leadership Team of TIFFG provides lynchpin support for the evolution of the organization. (Directory of the Leadership Team attached)

Bell Lightbox
Currently under construction in downtown Toronto, Bell Lightbox is soon to be the world's leading destination for film lovers. This major new cultural institution on the Canadian and international landscape will be structured around five state-of-the-art cinemas celebrating film from around the world. Bell Lightbox programming will give context to films through innovative crossmedia exhibitions, lectures, and film-related learning opportunities for all ages. Designed by innovative architecture firm KPMB, Bell Lightbox's fluid design encourages exploration, movement and play within its soaring atriums.

The campaign to build Bell Lightbox is generously supported by founding sponsor Bell. The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario each have contributed $25 million to realize Bell Lightbox. A gift of more than $22 million has been confirmed from the Reitman family – acclaimed filmmaker Ivan Reitman and his sisters Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels – and The Daniels Corporation, who together form the King and John Festival Corporation. The project is also supported by RBC as Major Sponsor and Official Bank, Visa†, the Copyright Collective of Canada, NBC Universal Canada, the Allan Slaight Family, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, CIBC, and many other individuals and corporations. The Board of Directors, staff and many generous individuals have also contributed to the campaign. The total amount raised to date is $147 million, three quarters of the total campaign of $196 million. For more information on the Bell Lightbox campaign, visit belllightbox.ca

We are a charitable, not-for-profit cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. Our vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image.