Karen Thorne-Stone has been tapped as the new film commissioner of Toronto and, on March 20, will take the wheel of the city’s efforts to boost movie, TV and commercial productions.

Toronto Mayor David Miller made the announcement at the annual general meeting of ACTRA on Feb. 24. Reviving the city’s troubled film trade has been among his top priorities since taking office in 2003.

‘The film industry is a vitally important part of Toronto’s economic and cultural livelihood and Karen understands that,’ said Miller.

Thorne-Stone was previously acting head of the city’s economic development wing, and helped Miller establish the city’s film board.

Toronto’s film industry has been sluggish since the SARS scare of 2003 and, more recently, has suffered from the high Canadian dollar. Thorne-Stone will work on strategy, lobby efforts and on promoting the area as a location.

Rhonda Silverstone, who as head of the Toronto Film & Television Office previously held the film commissioner title, is still in charge of permits.