The Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) announced that the Technicolor Clyde Gilmour Award will be presented to Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) director and CEO, Piers Handling. The award recognizes a Canadian whose work has in some way enriched the understanding and appreciation of film in their native country.
“This honor is long overdue,” said TFCA president Brian D. Johnson. “So much of the rich film culture that we now take for granted in this city, and in this country, can be attributed to the efforts of Piers Handling. And what’s inspiring is that while he’s overseen the expansion of TIFF on so many levels as its CEO, Piers remains so clearly loyal to the cinephile passion that drew him to the festival in the first place.”
“It is an immense honor to receive this award, named in memory of a true champion of cinema, Clyde Gilmour,” said Handling. “Toronto’s film critics have contributed so much to the success of our organization over the years. Their championing of Canadian and international cinema has helped us create a space for unique voices for which we are deeply grateful.”
Past winners of the Technicolor Clyde Gilmour Award include Elwy Yost, James Quandt, Robin Wood, Kay Armatage, John Dunning and Allan King; the award was last given to filmmaker Norman Jewison in 2013.
Under the terms of the award, Technicolor has donated $50,000 in postproduction services to a filmmaker of Handling’s choosing. The recipient of this bursary will be announced at the TFCA’s annual gala, to be held at The Carlu in Toronto on January 6, 2015.
Piers Handling has been director and CEO of TIFF since 1994, leading both the operational and artistic growth of the organization. TIFF has a $40 million annual operating budget and employs more than 180 full-time staff. Under Handling’s direction, the organization has grown to become an internationally renowned cultural institution. In 2010, TIFF opened its own permanent home which presents daily programming. TIFF Bell Lightbox houses five cinemas, two exhibition galleries, and learning studios. Handling led the $196 million capital campaign.
A passionate supporter of Canadian film, Handling has published extensively, curated numerous film retrospectives, and presented programs of Canadian cinema at film institutions around the world. In 2013, Handling co-curated a multi-platform celebration of iconic Canadian director David Cronenberg.
