James Weyman, manager of industry initiatives at the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), is retiring after 27 years with the organization.

When Weyman was first hired in 1989, the organization was called the Ontario Film Development Corporation and Patricia Rozema, Atom Egoyan and Jeremy Podeswa were all new on the scene.

“I’ve seen a lot of change over that time,” Weyman said in an interview with Playback Daily.

Over the course of his career, Weyman managed television production and development funds, participated in the organization’s feature film programming decisions, and helped to create the Al Waxman Calling Card Program, which ultimately funded 60 half-hour documentary and dramatic films. As manager of industry initiatives, Weyman managed a portfolio of funds and programs, including the Film Fund and Export Fund.

Now, after decades with Ontario’s media funder and promoter, Weyman thinks the province has entered a new “golden time” for film and television production.

“If you look at what’s coming out of the industry right now there’s some incredibly high-quality, world-class content being made,” he said. “One of the highlights of my career as I head for the exit is Room being nominated for four Oscars, winning one and, of course, then cleaning up at the Canadian Screen Awards. Born to be Blue, The Book of Negroes, there’s a lot of great content being made and all of those coproductions. That international perspective is critical.”

While Weyman may be leaving the government agency, he has no plans of leaving the industry. Weyman is heading to the private sector with plans to launch his own production company and, once again, work with established and emerging talent.

Weyman isn’t the only longtime OMDC employee that’s bidding adieu. After 11 years with the OMDC, corporate secretary and communications manager George McNeillie is also retiring.

As of press time, no replacements for Weyman and McNeillie have been named.