Peter Hayman has been appointed as the new head of the Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission.

He succeeds Kathleen Gilbert, who is retiring as Greater Victoria’s longest-serving film commissioner, having spent 14 years on the job. Hayman will assume the role on May 1, with Gilbert remaining as a consultant until June 1.

Hayman is a veteran of the industry with 25 years of experience in film, media and entertainment. Over the course of his career, he has served as film editor for The 25th Frame Film Production Company; he founded Imagitions Film & Video Corp.; served as president, entertainment of ICE Inc. and CEO of Torch Television; as well as several other roles.

He has also produced live television specials (including the Genie and Gemini awards), as well as scripted and variety series for CBC. Hayman spent time as executive director and business agent for The International Cinematographers Guild of Western Canada.

Board president Don Enright said in a statement that the commission feels “extraordinarily fortunate” to have been able to land someone of Hayman’s calibre from a pool of candidates.
“Peter brings an extraordinary range of industry experience, as well as a vast skillset,” said Enright. “He has produced, directed, developed, managed, innovated and delivered; been a seriously successful money-raiser and highly effective labour leader; and he has a lifetime’s worth of professional relationships here and in the U.S.”

The Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission is a not-for-profit organization with a mandate to market the capital region to the global film industry. Headquartered in Langford, B.C., the commission was initially founded in 1974 as the Victoria Film Commission. It currently receives financial support from Creative BC via the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, among other entities.

Photo courtesy of the Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission