Piers Handling, director and CEO of TIFF, announced that 2018 will be his final year leading the Toronto International Film Festival. TIFF is a charitable cultural organization with projects that include the annual Toronto International Film Fest; TIFF Bell Lightbox which features five cinemas; major exhibitions; learning and entertainment facilities; and innovative national distribution program Film Circuit. The TIFF organization generates an annual economic impact of $189 million CAD.
After nearly 25 years at the helm of TIFF, one of Canada’s most important cultural organizations, Handling will leave behind a lasting legacy. His career highlights include:
Handling’s tenure at TIFF has been both groundbreaking and prolific, with career highlights including:
- Growing TIFF from a 10-day event into a thriving year-round arts organization with global impact;
- Leading the Festival into the top tier of internationally recognized film events;
- Leading and mentoring a strong and seasoned team of executives and management and a passionate and dedicated staff;
- Supporting the careers of many Canadian and international filmmakers, including David Cronenberg, Atom Egoyan, Deepa Mehta, Guy Maddin, Denys Arcand, Denis Villeneuve, Jean-Marc Vallee, François Girard, Xavier Dolan, Michael Haneke, Danny Boyle, Kathryn Bigelow, Nanni Moretti, Agnieszka Holland, Abbas Kiarostami, Alfonso Cuarón, Jonathan Glazer, Antoine Fuqua, Pedro Almodóvar, Aki Kaurismäki, Patricia Rozema, Jennifer Baichwal, Guillermo Del Toro, Steven Soderbergh; and many others.
- Leading the campaign to design, fund and build TIFF Bell Lightbox, a permanent home for TIFF and film, now a cornerstone of engaging and innovative programming for audiences and professionals, here and around the world.
“Because of Piers’ leadership, TIFF is the leading cultural organization it is today, with a global reach and impact,” said Jennifer Tory, chair of the TIFF board of directors. “We are all indebted to him for his years of vision, innovation and dedication to the art of film.”
Handling shared, “I joined the festival in 1982 and have been CEO for the past 23 years. I am incredibly proud of the legacy we have achieved during that time. I am completely confident in the future of TIFF. It is now one of the most important film organizations in the world. We have an exciting and bold new strategic plan — Audience First. While I am excited about what the future holds in store for me, my immediate focus remains leading this wonderful organization through to the end of 2018, and ensuring that TIFF continues to inspire audiences and celebrate the riches of cinema from all over the globe.”
In recognition of his many contributions, Handling has achieved some of the highest honors afforded to cultural leaders, including Officer of the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, France’s highest cultural insignia “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres,” CEO of the Year by the Canadian Public Relations Society, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Technicolor Clyde Gilmour Award, the Human Rights Watch Award, and in November he will be recognized by Business for the Arts with the Peter Herrndorf Arts Leadership Award. He also holds five Honorary Doctorates from the University of Toronto, Queen’s University, Ryerson University, York University and OCAD University.
Over the coming months, TIFF’s board of directors will begin the process of identifying and selecting a new CEO. More information about this transition process will be shared as the organization moves into 2018.
