Post City Column: Film centre celebrates 25 years

By Jaye Robinson
Post City Magazine
October 2013

With the red carpet rolled up and Toronto reflecting proudly on another successful Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the business of film continues in our city and right here in Ward 25.

You can find some of the best from the next generation of Canadian film makers, composers, screenwriters and actors learning the craft at the Canadian Film Centre (CFC), on the historic Windfields Estate donated by E. P. Taylor.

Celebrated Canadian filmmaker Norman Jewison founded the centre in 1988 with the dream of creating a Canadian version of the American Film Institute — a place for Canadian filmmakers to gather and discuss the art.

Twenty-five years later, it has become the largest institution for advanced film, television and new media training in Canada and continues to grow. Last year, the CFC launched the Slaight Family Music Lab, with support from North York’s own Gary Slaight, adding another key part of the filmmaking process to the centre.

This year three CFC feature films premiered at TIFF, dozens more created by CFC alumni screened, and one alumnus, Jonathan Sousa, was named a rising star.

There is more to the centre’s success than accolades — there is economic impact. Seventy-five per cent of CFC alumni live, work and build businesses in Ontario. A study of its economic impact found it generated $114.7 million in GDP for the Ontario economy and created 2,000 full-time jobs.

That’s why I’m happy to congratulate the Canadian Film Centre on a very successful outing at TIFF and on its 25th anniversary.