Filmmaker Charles Officer, known for films such as Nurse.Fighter.Boy and Akilla’s Escape and, most recently, the acclaimed CBC series The Porter, has died at 48.

Officer, who co-founded the Black Screen Office (BSO), died in Toronto after a lengthy illness, according to multiple reports, including The Globe and Mail.

The Toronto-born writer, director, producer and actor, whose work spanned features, award-winning documentaries and television, was remembered as an “extraordinary talent” with a “magnetic personality” by the BSO’s executive director Joan Jenkinson.

“His work was poetic, passionate, and showcased an exceptional talent that was evident in everything he touched. But beyond his professional brilliance, what truly stood out was his character. Charles was one of the kindest, gentlest people I’ve ever met. His warmth and genuineness were as remarkable as his creative abilities. The last TV series he directed, The Porter, stands as a testament to his incredible skill and vision,” said Jenkinson in a statement.

Tributes posted online included a statement from Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge, who said: “Canadian cinema has just lost award-winning director Charles Officer. His works have illuminated our screens and today leaves an indelible mark in our hearts. His legacy will continue to inspire many. My thoughts are with his loved ones.”

The Canadian Media Producers Association, of which Officer was a member, called him “an inspiring filmmaker and cherished member of the Canadian film and TV industry,” adding: “His legacy and impact will be remembered forever.”

Officer made his feature directorial debut with the 2008 drama Nurse.Fighter.Boy, which he co-wrote with producer Ingrid Veninger. The film centres on the story of a single mother, her child and a boxer, and the magical encounters that connect them. It premiered at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival and was nominated for 10 Genie Awards.

The 2020 feature Akilla’s Escape, directed by Officer and produced by Officer and Jake Yanowski’s Canesugar Filmworks, picked up five Canadian Screen Awards (CSAs).

CBC’s The Porter (Inferno Pictures, Sphere Media), Officer’s most recent work, was also his most lauded, with the series winning 12 CSAs, including a directing win for Officer and Best Drama Series.

Officer — who directed the series with R.T. Thorne and was also an executive producer — also won the Directors Guild of Canada’s Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series.

His work also includes feature docs for the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), such as 2010’s Mighty Jerome, about the career and comeback of Canadian track and field star Harry Jerome, and 2016’s Unarmed Verses, which tells the story of a community facing imposed relocation through the lens of a 12-year-old Black girl. He also directed the CBC documentary The Skin We’re In (2017) about systemic racism in Canada.

The Reelworld Screen Institute said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that Officer “left a legacy that will endure for generations,” while Telefilm Canada said his films and “his generosity of spirit were profound and inspiring.”

Photo by Emma McIntyre