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The Toronto International Film Festival is going through a period of change. Less than a month ago, the Festival of Festivals banner was replaced with the current title, and now the top position of the festival and its sister operation, Cinematheque Ontario, is changing hands.

On March 31 of this year, executive director Helga Stephenson will retire from the festival and deputy director Piers Handling will take over as director.

Stephenson, who has held the position since 1987, has been hailed for establishing the festival as an international success story. Handling, who has been artistic and deputy director since 1987, has long been recognized for leading the festival’s solid international and Canadian programming.

Smooth transition

The transition is a smooth one for Stephenson and Handling, who have worked closely for years. ‘Because Helga and I have been working hand in hand for so long, there won’t be any significant changes,’ Handling says. ‘There will continue to be a balance of programming from Canada and from around the world, carrying the spirit of discovery and rediscovery of the festival and the Cinematheque.’

Stephenson, who is stepping down in order to spend more time with her young daughter Rachel, will join the festival board of directors – a fitting bookend, considering she first joined the festival in 1978 in a volunteer capacity.