Item - 2019.CA7.3

City Council, by its adoption of Motion MM8.3, has also appointed Wendy Noss to the Toronto Film, Television and Digital Media Board as Motion Picture Association - Canada's representative, at pleasure of Council, for a term ending on November 14, 2022.

Appointees' biographies:

Jonathan Ahee

Jonathan Ahee has been the President of NABET 700 UNIFOR since 2004.  NABET 700 UNIFOR represents Ontario film, television and new media technicians that have serviced Ontario and the world for over thirty years.  As President, Jonathan is responsible for the overall operations of NABET 700 UNIFOR including negotiation, application and interpretation of collective agreements and the employment interests of over 2000 technicians representing in excess of $50 million in wages annually.

Neishaw Ali (Computer Animation Studio of Ontario representative)

Founding partner and President of Spin VFX, a visual effects studio, Spin VR, a virtual and augmented reality studio, as well as its sister company Triangle Post, post-production facility. Combined, these three companies have helped to shape many complex films and television series. I have been active in the Film and Television industry for more than 25 years working with all levels of government, industry association, our unions and universities to continue develop our competitiveness globally.

Peter Apostolopoulos

Peter Apostolopoulos is a Canadian business man, investor, actor and producer.  He is the President of TriBro Studios and the COO of Triple Group of Companies, an international real estate investment management and development firm owned and operated by the Apostolopoulos family Based out of Toronto Canada.

Hartley Gorenstein

After completing his law degree and master's degree, he worked in a family business for a few years until he got into film. He has had the pleasure of working on award winning projects, with award winning cast and crew. His career as a producer has been incredibly rewarding and enlightening, as he feels he can learn more with every project he's involved in. He tries to give back as much as he can, and whenever the opportunity presents itself. He works with the city in a field he loves.

Geoff Grant

A 26 year veteran of the Film, Media and Entertainment industry, Geoff Grant is currently the GM at Canada’s largest purpose-built studio facility, Pinewood Toronto Studios. Prior to his role at Pinewood Toronto, Grant was the Director, TV Operations, and responsible for Bell Media’s largest broadcasting complex, including the productions at Bell Media Studios North and Canada’s #1 newscast CTV National News and all studio productions for Canada’s most-watched Specialty network, TSN.

Victoria Harding

In 2013, after 25 years of production experience in Toronto's film and television industry, Victoria Harding joined DGC Ontario as Associate Executive Director, managing a team of professionals dedicated to upholding the principles of the DGC/CMPA Standard Agreement, and to the enhancement of working conditions for DGC Members in Ontario.  Throughout her tenure, Victoria has continued to work as a constant advocate for enhanced film-friendliness and responsible filmmaking across Ontario.

David Hardy

David Hardy is a twenty-five year veteran of the film, television and digital media industry with an expansive knowledge of, and deep relationships within, the global production sector.  In his position at William F. White International he spearheads national collaboration between his company and local industry associations, unions and guilds and other stakeholders in support of national fiscal stability as relates to provincial and federal supports to the industry.  As his company’s senior executive responsible for sustainability, he champions initiatives, both internally and externally, that will contribute to the mitigation of the carbon footprint created by the film industry.

Alistair Hepburn

Alistair Hepburn is the Director of Film, Television and Digital Media for ACTRA Toronto, which represents 15,000 professional Performers in Ontario. Alistair has over 18 years as an Arts and Culture Manager. He has a deep background in labour negotiations and collective agreement management.

Chris Hope

Chris Hope JD, MBA, C.Dir, is senior counsel at 9Story Media Group, one of Canada’s largest animation companies. Chris co-founded and co-directs the Toronto Japanese Film Festival and serves as Executive Producer to independent productions.  Chris directed the feature documentary Hatsumi: One Grandmother’s Journey Through the Japanese Canadian Internment, released across Canada in 2012.  The film is an educational tool to teach new generations of students about the internment of Japanese Canadians.

Cynthia Lynch (FilmOntario representative)

Cynthia Lynch is Managing Director and Counsel at FilmOntario, an industry organization that advocates on behalf of the screen-based sector. Prior to assuming this role, Cynthia spent 10 years at Ontario Creates, most recently as the Manager of Research and Strategic Planning. As Manager, she oversaw the Agency’s research and policy program and managed the business planning process. In 2012, Cynthia left Ontario Creates to study law at the University of Ottawa. She was called to the bar in 2016.

Jim Mirkopoulos

Jim Mirkopoulos is VP of Cinespace Film Studios, North America's largest private owner and operator of film, TV and digital media production space, and he liaises directly with the production heads of the major Hollywood studios and OTT digital platforms. He is a Board Member of FilmOntario and he also sits on advisory committees for both York University’s $120M VISTA vision research program and Ontario Creates, an agency of the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Jim was instrumental in the creation of the Netflix Production Hub in Toronto, and he holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business.

Monty Montgomerie

Monty has held the position of IATSE 873 Secretary Business Agent for nearly nine years, representing over 5000 Film and Television Technicians working in the GTA.  As Business Agent, Monty is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the IATSE 873 office, bargaining and administering all IATSE 873 Collective Agreements, and in general, is responsible for establishing and maintaining strong relationships with valued employers and industry stakeholders.

Jayson Mosek

Jayson Mosek is a labour relations professional with nearly 20 years' experience in the Canadian film, television and digital media industry.  Since 2011, he has been the Business Agent with NABET 700-M UNIFOR which represents nearly 3,000 film, television and digital media Technicians in the Province of Ontario.  Prior to that, Jayson was the National Director, Industrial and Production Relations representing Producer's interests at the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) from 2000-2011.

Wendy Noss (Motion Picture Association – Canada representative)

Wendy Noss is the President of the Toronto-based Motion Picture Association – Canada. MPA-Canada is the voice and advocate of the major international producers and distributors of movies, home entertainment and television programming in Canada and is an affiliate of the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA).Wendy is responsible for overseeing the MPAA member companies’ legislative, regulatory, and legal strategies across Canada and for promoting their interests across the country

Caitlin O'Leary

Caitlin O’Leary has been working in TV production for more than 20 years. Originally trained at the BBC in London, Caitlin spent a decade in the BBC’s Science Dept as well as several years running the BBC's production hub in New York City. In her native Toronto, Caitlin has produced many titles under the auspices of Alliance Atlantis, spent 8 years at Ontario Creates and has been Director of Business Affairs at Discovery Channel Canada, and is now at Bristow Global Media Inc. 

Jinder Oujla-Chalmers

Jinder Oujla-Chalmers brings over 20 years of independent drama television writing, documentary, and film experience in the entertainment industries. She is the creator, writer, producer of her current series for CBC in development entitled, Ocean's Apart-The Komagata Maru Incident.  She is also the author of, Seeing The Forest For The Trees for Harbour Publishing.  Jinder is also the 2019 recipient of the Sondra Kelly Award from the WGC.  Jinder is the brains behind Combat Hospital, a one-hour drama series for ABC Television and several documentaries.  Prior to her film career she was a television and radio journalist. 

Alma Parvizian

With 15 years of experience, Alma Parvizian has an extensive knowledge of working in arts and communications. As Managing Partner at Touchwood PR, Alma oversees PR strategy, business operations and client relations for the firm. Prior to joining Touchwood PR, Alma was a key member of the Communications team at TIFF and one of the integral members the Communications team responsible for planning, overseeing and executing the media campaigns surrounding the open of TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Ramona Pringle

Ramona is the Director of The Creative Innovation Studio and an Associate Professor in the RTA School of Media, at Ryerson University. She is a technology columnist for CBC and an expert in digital media production, having led the digital side of numerous boundary-pushing projects, including “Avatar Secrets,” Frontline’s “Digital Nation,” “Rdigitalife,” and “We Are Canada.” As a keynote speaker, she addresses international audiences on issues related to media, creativity, technology and social shifts.

Kenneth Rogers

Kenneth Rogers is currently Associate Dean at the School of the Arts, Media, Performance, and Design (AMPD) at York University. He sits on the steering committee of Digital Media at the Crossroads, the York University Pan-University Strategic Entrepreneurship Council, and the advisory board for York at Cinespace. He is a founder and a core faculty member of AMPD’s BFA in Media Arts focused on emerging media technology, entrepreneurship, work placements, and workforce development.

Warren Ross

Warren is responsible for strategic, legal and operational oversight of industrial relations within Canada’s film, television and digital media industry, providing guidance to CMPA members and the Hollywood studios on key industrial relations matters, advocating on producers’ behalf in legal disputes, and advancing legislative priorities with federal and provincial governments. He holds a Juris Doctor law degree and Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in media studies.

Jennifer Stewart

Jennifer was educated at York University and graduated with a degree in art history.  A life long lover of the arts in all their forms, her professional path has taken her to work at Virgin Records, Malofilm Distribution, the CBC, in various capacities and now as Vice-President of Partnerships and Communications at the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.  Jennifer has forged strong relationships in the screen based media sector with producers, distributors, film makers and content creators.

Christa Tazzeo Morson

Christa Tazzeo Morson is a 19 year veteran of the film and TV industry. With long standing roots in VFX and Postproduction, she is credited with work on the Academy Award winning feature SPOTLIGHT and the Emmy award winning TV series GAME OF THRONES. Additional credits include UMBRELLA ACADEMY and SUICIDE SQUAD. A founding board member and former Chair of the VES Toronto section, Christa is an active member of the Toronto production community. She is also a WIFT-T Engagement Committee member.

Samantha Traub

As Chief Operating Officer of Boat Rocker Media, Samantha Traub provides leadership on all aspects of the business and operations of Boat Rocker.  Sam oversees Business and Legal Affairs, Production, Facilities, Human Resources and Governance for the company.  Sam acts as Boat Rocker’s general counsel and provides key support on all strategic investments, acquisitions, and partnerships. Prior to joining Boat Rocker (then Temple Street) in 2007, Sam practiced corporate law at major law firms in Toronto and NYC.

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council appoint the following individuals to the Toronto Film, Television and Digital Media Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on November 14, 2022:

Neishaw Ali, as the Computer Animation Studio of Ontario representative

Peter Apostolopoulos

Hartley Gorenstein

Geoff Grant

Victoria Harding

David Hardy

Alistair Hepburn

Chris Hope

Cynthia Lynch, as the FilmOntario representative

Jim Mirkopoulos

Monty Montgomerie

Jayson Mosek

Caitlin O'Leary

Jinder Oujla-Chalmers

Alma Parvizian

Ramona Pringle

Kenneth Rogers

Warren Ross

Jennifer Stewart

Christa Tazzeo Morson

Samantha Traub

2.  City Council waive the two-term limit provision of the Public Appointments Policy and appoint Jonathan Ahee to the Toronto Film, Television and Digital Media Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on June 19, 2021.

3.  City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (May 28, 2019) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture remain confidential as it relates to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Film, Television and Digital Media Board.

Candidates' biographies:

Jonathan Ahee

Jonathan Ahee has been the President of NABET 700 UNIFOR since 2004.  NABET 700 UNIFOR represents Ontario film, television and new media technicians that have serviced Ontario and the world for over thirty years.  As President, Jonathan is responsible for the overall operations of NABET 700 UNIFOR including negotiation, application and interpretation of collective agreements and the employment interests of over 2000 technicians representing in excess of $50 million in wages annually.

Neishaw Ali (Computer Animation Studio of Ontario representative)

Founding partner and President of Spin VFX, a visual effects studio, Spin VR, a virtual and augmented reality studio, as well as its sister company Triangle Post, post-production facility. Combined, these three companies have helped to shape many complex films and television series. I have been active in the Film and Television industry for more than 25 years working with all levels of government, industry association, our unions and universities to continue develop our competitiveness globally.

Peter Apostolopoulos

Peter Apostolopoulos is a Canadian business man, investor, actor and producer.  He is the President of TriBro Studios and the COO of Triple Group of Companies, an international real estate investment management and development firm owned and operated by the Apostolopoulos family Based out of Toronto Canada.

Hartley Gorenstein

After completing his law degree and master's degree, he worked in a family business for a few years until he got into film. He has had the pleasure of working on award winning projects, with award winning cast and crew. His career as a producer has been incredibly rewarding and enlightening, as he feels he can learn more with every project he's involved in. He tries to give back as much as he can, and whenever the opportunity presents itself. He works with the city in a field he loves.

Geoff Grant

A 26 year veteran of the Film, Media and Entertainment industry, Geoff Grant is currently the GM at Canada’s largest purpose-built studio facility, Pinewood Toronto Studios. Prior to his role at Pinewood Toronto, Grant was the Director, TV Operations, and responsible for Bell Media’s largest broadcasting complex, including the productions at Bell Media Studios North and Canada’s #1 newscast CTV National News and all studio productions for Canada’s most-watched Specialty network, TSN.

Victoria Harding

In 2013, after 25 years of production experience in Toronto's film and television industry, Victoria Harding joined DGC Ontario as Associate Executive Director, managing a team of professionals dedicated to upholding the principles of the DGC/CMPA Standard Agreement, and to the enhancement of working conditions for DGC Members in Ontario.  Throughout her tenure, Victoria has continued to work as a constant advocate for enhanced film-friendliness and responsible filmmaking across Ontario.

David Hardy

David Hardy is a twenty-five year veteran of the film, television and digital media industry with an expansive knowledge of, and deep relationships within, the global production sector.  In his position at William F. White International he spearheads national collaboration between his company and local industry associations, unions and guilds and other stakeholders in support of national fiscal stability as relates to provincial and federal supports to the industry.  As his company’s senior executive responsible for sustainability, he champions initiatives, both internally and externally, that will contribute to the mitigation of the carbon footprint created by the film industry.

Alistair Hepburn

Alistair Hepburn is the Director of Film, Television and Digital Media for ACTRA Toronto, which represents 15,000 professional Performers in Ontario. Alistair has over 18 years as an Arts and Culture Manager. He has a deep background in labour negotiations and collective agreement management.

Chris Hope

Chris Hope JD, MBA, C.Dir, is senior counsel at 9Story Media Group, one of Canada’s largest animation companies. Chris co-founded and co-directs the Toronto Japanese Film Festival and serves as Executive Producer to independent productions.  Chris directed the feature documentary Hatsumi: One Grandmother’s Journey Through the Japanese Canadian Internment, released across Canada in 2012.  The film is an educational tool to teach new generations of students about the internment of Japanese Canadians.

Cynthia Lynch (FilmOntario representative)

Cynthia Lynch is Managing Director and Counsel at FilmOntario, an industry organization that advocates on behalf of the screen-based sector. Prior to assuming this role, Cynthia spent 10 years at Ontario Creates, most recently as the Manager of Research and Strategic Planning. As Manager, she oversaw the Agency’s research and policy program and managed the business planning process. In 2012, Cynthia left Ontario Creates to study law at the University of Ottawa. She was called to the bar in 2016.

Jim Mirkopoulos

Jim Mirkopoulos is VP of Cinespace Film Studios, North America's largest private owner and operator of film, TV and digital media production space, and he liaises directly with the production heads of the major Hollywood studios and OTT digital platforms. He is a Board Member of FilmOntario and he also sits on advisory committees for both York University’s $120M VISTA vision research program and Ontario Creates, an agency of the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Jim was instrumental in the creation of the Netflix Production Hub in Toronto, and he holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business.

Monty Montgomerie

Monty has held the position of IATSE 873 Secretary Business Agent for nearly nine years, representing over 5000 Film and Television Technicians working in the GTA.  As Business Agent, Monty is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the IATSE 873 office, bargaining and administering all IATSE 873 Collective Agreements, and in general, is responsible for establishing and maintaining strong relationships with valued employers and industry stakeholders.

Jayson Mosek

Jayson Mosek is a labour relations professional with nearly 20 years' experience in the Canadian film, television and digital media industry.  Since 2011, he has been the Business Agent with NABET 700-M UNIFOR which represents nearly 3,000 film, television and digital media Technicians in the Province of Ontario.  Prior to that, Jayson was the National Director, Industrial and Production Relations representing Producer's interests at the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) from 2000-2011.

Caitlin O'Leary

Caitlin O’Leary has been working in TV production for more than 20 years. Originally trained at the BBC in London, Caitlin spent a decade in the BBC’s Science Dept as well as several years running the BBC's production hub in New York City. In her native Toronto, Caitlin has produced many titles under the auspices of Alliance Atlantis, spent 8 years at Ontario Creates and has been Director of Business Affairs at Discovery Channel Canada, and is now at Bristow Global Media Inc. 

Jinder Oujla-Chalmers

Jinder Oujla-Chalmers brings over 20 years of independent drama television writing, documentary, and film experience in the entertainment industries. She is the creator, writer, producer of her current series for CBC in development entitled, Ocean's Apart-The Komagata Maru Incident.  She is also the author of, Seeing The Forest For The Trees for Harbour Publishing.  Jinder is also the 2019 recipient of the Sondra Kelly Award from the WGC.  Jinder is the brains behind Combat Hospital, a one-hour drama series for ABC Television and several documentaries.  Prior to her film career she was a television and radio journalist. 

Alma Parvizian

With 15 years of experience, Alma Parvizian has an extensive knowledge of working in arts and communications. As Managing Partner at Touchwood PR, Alma oversees PR strategy, business operations and client relations for the firm. Prior to joining Touchwood PR, Alma was a key member of the Communications team at TIFF and one of the integral members the Communications team responsible for planning, overseeing and executing the media campaigns surrounding the open of TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Ramona Pringle

Ramona is the Director of The Creative Innovation Studio and an Associate Professor in the RTA School of Media, at Ryerson University. She is a technology columnist for CBC and an expert in digital media production, having led the digital side of numerous boundary-pushing projects, including “Avatar Secrets,” Frontline’s “Digital Nation,” “Rdigitalife,” and “We Are Canada.” As a keynote speaker, she addresses international audiences on issues related to media, creativity, technology and social shifts.

Kenneth Rogers

Kenneth Rogers is currently Associate Dean at the School of the Arts, Media, Performance, and Design (AMPD) at York University. He sits on the steering committee of Digital Media at the Crossroads, the York University Pan-University Strategic Entrepreneurship Council, and the advisory board for York at Cinespace. He is a founder and a core faculty member of AMPD’s BFA in Media Arts focused on emerging media technology, entrepreneurship, work placements, and workforce development.

Warren Ross

Warren is responsible for strategic, legal and operational oversight of industrial relations within Canada’s film, television and digital media industry, providing guidance to CMPA members and the Hollywood studios on key industrial relations matters, advocating on producers’ behalf in legal disputes, and advancing legislative priorities with federal and provincial governments. He holds a Juris Doctor law degree and Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in media studies.

Jennifer Stewart

Jennifer was educated at York University and graduated with a degree in art history.  A life long lover of the arts in all their forms, her professional path has taken her to work at Virgin Records, Malofilm Distribution, the CBC, in various capacities and now as Vice-President of Partnerships and Communications at the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.  Jennifer has forged strong relationships in the screen based media sector with producers, distributors, film makers and content creators.

Christa Tazzeo Morson

Christa Tazzeo Morson is a 19 year veteran of the film and TV industry. With long standing roots in VFX and Postproduction, she is credited with work on the Academy Award winning feature SPOTLIGHT and the Emmy award winning TV series GAME OF THRONES. Additional credits include UMBRELLA ACADEMY and SUICIDE SQUAD. A founding board member and former Chair of the VES Toronto section, Christa is an active member of the Toronto production community. She is also a WIFT-T Engagement Committee member.

Samantha Traub

As Chief Operating Officer of Boat Rocker Media, Samantha Traub provides leadership on all aspects of the business and operations of Boat Rocker.  Sam oversees Business and Legal Affairs, Production, Facilities, Human Resources and Governance for the company.  Sam acts as Boat Rocker’s general counsel and provides key support on all strategic investments, acquisitions, and partnerships. Prior to joining Boat Rocker (then Temple Street) in 2007, Sam practiced corporate law at major law firms in Toronto and NYC.

This report recommends the appointment of 22 individuals to the Toronto Film, Television and Digital Media Board.

The purpose of this report is to provide updated information on the residency of one of the individuals being recommended for appointment to the Toronto Film, Television and Digital Media Board.