The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) has appointed Tammy Frick as its new CEO, replacing Beth Janson, who stepped down in April to become COO of the Toronto International Film Festival.

Frick will join the organization that’s behind the Canadian Screen Awards effective Oct. 31, after serving as executive director of the Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival for 27 years.

She’ll assume leadership for what’s billed as the largest non-profit professional media arts organization in Canada, and will oversee both the national and Quebec branches of the Canadian Academy, according to a news release.

Frick has been a stalwart in the Northern Ontario arts community. Under her leadership, Cinéfest Sudbury became a full-service film organization supporting emerging talent and films representing diverse voices and experiences.

She’s also served on the board of directors of several organizations, including as a founding member of Music and Film in Motion, now known as Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION). She also took on a secondary role as CION’s associate executive director and was the driving force behind the development and introduction of 2007’s Laugh Out Loud (LOL) Sudbury Comedy Festival. Her honours include a Crystal Award for Outstanding Achievement in Business by Women in Film & Television in 2019.

The Canadian Academy praised her “dedication to innovation and the growth of the Canadian screen-based industries, along with her passion for developing creative works and opportunities for talent both in front of and behind the camera.” Such qualities “will bring a unique perspective to the Canadian Academy’s ongoing mission to foster industry growth, knowledge, inclusion, and mentorship,” said the release.

Canadian Academy chair John Young said in a statement that the organization’s board of directors led “an extensive search” for Janson’s replacement and “are extremely confident” that they’ve “found a fantastic candidate.”

“Tammy’s experience and knowledge of the industry will be extremely beneficial to advancing our hard work towards developing, recognizing, celebrating and advocating for Canadian talent in Canada’s screen-based industry,” added Young. He also thanked Louis Calabro, the organization’s VP of programming and awards, for acting as interim CEO for the last six months “and leaving the Academy in a great place for Tammy to step in and continue to help us make impactful change.”

With Frick’s appointment, Calabro will resume his key leadership role at the Academy executive level.

Frick said while she’ll miss her family at Cinéfest Sudbury, she’s elated to bring years of “knowledge and experience, along with a fresh perspective,” to the Canadian Academy.

Photo credit: George Pimentel Photography