The board of directors of the Toronto International Film Festival® (TIFF) has appointed Cameron Bailey to the role of CEO. A veteran of TIFF, Bailey leads the organization into a new chapter with an immediate focus on building a Toronto International Film Festival for the future while offering audiences a transformative TIFF experience all year round. Bailey’s new position comes on the heels of the announcement of Jeffrey Remedios, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Canada, as TIFF’s new chair of the board.
A 25-year vet of the organization, Bailey has been instrumental in growing and cultivating TIFF’s loyal audiences and ensuring the Festival is an essential stop for filmmakers, industry professionals and journalists from around the world. Over the course of his decades-long tenure, Bailey has held several key roles: starting as a programmer with Perspective Canada, founding the Planet Africa section, working as TIFF’s artistic director, and most recently as the co-head of the organization. Bailey’s promotion comes as TIFF Bell Lightbox recently reopened its doors to film lovers and as the organization begins its planning for Festival 2022.
“I could not be more assured in my first act as chair representing the TIFF Board in the appointment of Cameron Bailey as CEO. Cameron is a luminary in the global film industry and his committed leadership, strategic perspective and unparalleled passion has already built an essential foundation for this organization. There is no one better suited to drive TIFF forward,” said Remedios. “His immeasurable depth of cinematic knowledge, his astute understanding of this ever-changing industry and the evolving technologies that impact the way we share stories through film will shape TIFF’s future and I look forward to supporting his vision for years to come.”
Bailey said, “TIFF’s mission to ‘transform the way people see the world through film’ is my mission as well. I believe the moving image has a unique power to tap into our deepest emotions, and shift the way we view our world and each other. It’s both a joy and an enormous responsibility to lead our passionate, committed TIFF team as we connect people and communities through film. I’m indebted to TIFF’s founders and to each of TIFF’s previous leaders for building an organization dedicated to making positive change in the world for filmgoers, filmmakers, and all the professionals who make movies matter.”
As CEO, Bailey will implement a vision for a thriving organization prepared for the future of film, and ready to engage audiences more widely and more often. That includes evolving the Toronto International Film Festival to meet the future needs of film lovers, filmmakers, industry professionals and all stakeholders, as well as growing TIFF’s year-round offerings to engage audiences both in-cinema and online. With both a global reach and a strong local footprint at TIFF Bell Lightbox, the organization under Bailey’s leadership is planning for growth.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More