GATINEAU – Christa Dickenson is the new executive director of Telefilm Canada for a five year term effective July 30, Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly announced Tuesday.
Dickenson (pictured) is the president and CEO of Interactive Ontario, and has also worked at Rogers Communications, CPAC and CTV. She has more than two decades of experience leveraging strategic partnerships and helping generate revenue, sponsorship and fundraising opportunities in her industry, reads the announcement.
She succeeds Carolle Brabant who retired from the role in March after eight years.
Telefilm Canada acts as one of the Canadian government's principal instruments for providing strategic leverage to the private sector, supplying the film, television and new media industries with financial and strategic support.
"The Canadian identity spans all forms of art, including the films developed and produced here by our creators”, said Minister Joly, in the announcement. “As the new Executive Director of Telefilm Canada, Ms. Dickenson will help Canada's talent shine at home and around the world. I am confident that her valuable experience will help strengthen our audio-visual industry so more audiences can hear and see our stories."
“I am delighted with the appointment of Ms. Dickenson,” said acting chair of Telefilm’s Board of Directors G. Grant Machum, in a statement. “Ms. Dickenson has strong management skills and business acumen, along with extensive policy experience, all of which will be invaluable in leading Telefilm and the industry to see bigger and deliver our new strategic plan. She has had an extensive career in the creative industries beginning with documentary filmmaking and broadcasting, and will be a strong, passionate voice for the film industry.”
“Over the past four years, Christa has done a tremendous job steering Interactive Ontario,” added Interactive Ontario chair Jeffrey Elliott. “Under her leadership, IO has increased its capacity to support the Ontario interactive digital media sector through advocacy work, research, professional development and international partnerships.”
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) both lauded Dickenson’s nomination, describing her as “an effective leader” and “a strong choice”.
“To say that I’m excited to be named the Executive Director of Telefilm Canada is an understatement,” said Dickenson, in a statement provided by Telefilm. “I cannot wait to be part of an organization that has put Canadian storytellers at the forefront of our culture for over half a century. Working alongside the incredible talent of the Canadian film industry is not only inspiring but also humbling. I look forward to the incredible challenge.”
