TIFF CEO Piers Handling to step down in 2018

Piers Handling announced Saturday that 2018 will be his last year as the head of the Toronto International Film Festival. Handling joined the festival in 1982, and has been at its helm for 23 years.

In a statement released Saturday, the organization credits Handling with growing TIFF from a 10-day event into "a thriving year-round arts organization with global impact."

This announcement comes just a few days before the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. The world-renowned event, which attracts top A-list celebrities to Toronto,runs Sept. 7-17.

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The festival saw a dip in audience turnout last year by about 3,000 visitors, but Handling saysit's too early to tell if it's cause for concern.

"It could even be the weather," he said.

Handlingbelieves that TIFF has a bright future, even with the growing competition from streaming services.

"Even Netflix and Amazon are coming to festivals. They need the publicity," he explained.

His careerat TIFF is marked by numerous accomplishments, including leading the campaign to design, fund and build the TIFF Bell Lightbox, the organization says.

The Lightbox, which launched in 2010 as the permanent venue for the festival, cost over $190million to build funds that camefrom corporate sponsors like Bell, the federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as private donors and various foundations.

• Inside the TIFF Lightbox

Nonetheless, Handling drew criticism earlier this year after Ontario's Sunshine List named him as the top earner among non-profit employees that receive provincial government funding.

But the festival's directortold CBC Toronto he is not embarrassedbyhis salary.

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"I've been in the industry for 40 years. I'm running one of the largest film cultural organizations in the world. My salary is by no means in the top salary of the arts leaders in Toronto," said Handling.

He has received a numerous awards throughouthis years of service includingOfficer of the Order of Canada andthe Order of Ontario.

Handlingtold CBC Toronto that he has been planninghis exitfor a long time.

"My first board chair said to me 'you should start thinking of your succession' as soon as I took the job and I've taken that very seriously," he said in an interview.

TIFF says itsboard of directors will begin the process of identifying and selecting a new chief executive officer over the next few months.

Handling's immediate attention meanwhile, will remain on the festival.

"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," he saidin a statement.

Piers Handling

7 years ago

Duration 7:36

The CEO and director of TIFF sits down with CBC's Kevin Sweet a few days before TIFF 2017.