Karen Thorne-Stone is stepping down as Toronto film commissioner to take over as president and CEO of the Ontario Media Development Corporation, moving up to the provincial post after an 18-year stint with the city.

She will join the OMDC at the end of July — replacing acting boss Kristine Murphy, who filled in following Michel Frappier’s departure — according to a statement released Thursday.

‘We’re absolutely delighted to have someone with Karen’s strong economic development and cultural industry background,’ said OMDC chair Kevin Shea.

Thorne-Stone was previously Toronto’s executive director of economic development, working to promote tourism and business and helping Mayor David Miller establish the city’s film board. She stepped in as film commissioner last March, tasked with reviving film and TV production, which has been in a slump since the SARS scare of 2002 and, more recently, because of the high Canadian dollar.

‘We’re continuing to face challenges, no question about that, but I think we’re seeing some recovery,’ Thorne-Stone tells Playback Daily, pointing to a rise among domestic productions and the prospect of more service work at the two new studios under construction in Toronto. ‘These things don’t turn around instantly.’

The OMDC promotes film and TV production, book and magazine publishing, music and digital media. It is not known who will take over as Toronto’s film commissioner.