New Director Of Canadian Initiatives At The Toronto International Film Festival Group Announced

Toronto – Piers Handling, Director & CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG), announced today the appointment of Karen Black as Director, Canadian Initiatives for the organization. Under this new title, Black will helm Film Circuit and Canadian Programming, including Canada’s Top Ten and the Student Film Showcase. She will also be responsible for Industry Programming at the Toronto International Film Festival®: Talent Lab, Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS! and Match Club, including Doc Corner and Doc Roundtables, the CFTPA Producer’s Award and Meet With… sessions.

"Over the last year, Karen has done an outstanding job in leading the Canadian Initiatives team. As director, she will continue to instill Canadian content in TIFFG programming and further expand Film Circuit and Industry Programming." said Handling. "Her knowledge and expertise will ensure our initiatives receive the continuous attention necessary to achieve our goals."

"I am excited to continue the exploration and promotion of Canadian film to sustain our current audience members and engage a new and broader public." said Black.

For the past year, Black has served as Acting Director, Canadian Initiatives for the Toronto International Film Festival Group. She continued to raise awareness of Canadian film programmes within the organization, as well as improved and refined Film Circuit and Industry Programming at the Toronto International Film Festival. Previously, Black was the Senior Manager, Film Circuit.

Film Circuit raises the profile of Canadian and independent film. The division works with thousands of volunteers to distribute and exhibit Canadian and international independent cinema to communities who would otherwise have little or no access to these films.
Canada’s Top Ten is an annual event that celebrates and raises awareness for and demonstrates the exceptional vitality of contemporary Canadian cinematic achievements.
Student Film Showcase is an annual presentation of TIFFG in association with the Film School Consortium, a national group of 15 universities and colleges.
TIFF Industry Programming develops and supports the Canadian film industry at TIFF with its innovative international networking events, panels, discussions and development programmes, and acts as official host to all attending industry professionals.

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.

For information, contact the Communications Department at 416-934-3200 or email proffice@tiffg.ca