Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association (SMPIA) has appointed Max Berdowski as the organization’s new executive director.

Berdowski, the former general manager of Interactive Ontario (2011-2012), replaces Ken Alecxe, who has held the executive director position on an interim basis for the past six months.

After leaving Interactive Ontario in May 2012, Berdowski went on to work as a consultant to organizations in the creative industries, as well as a media arts instructor at George Brown College and a returning officer at Elections Canada. He also served as the executive director at the Canadian Screen Training Centre for nine years (2000-2009).

Berdowski joins the SMPIA as the province’s film and TV sector continues to struggle. In March of this year, a survey released by SMPIA indicated that there remains a significant shortage of work for media professionals in Saskatchewan. Of the 157 screen industry-industry workers who participated in the survey, 73% said they have the relevant training but are unable to find enough work in the province. A total of 39% of those said they were either unemployed or working in another industry, while 26% said they would likely be forced to leave the province within a year.