Canadian Film Centre CEO Slawko Klymkiw Announces Retirement

Klymkiw leaves an important legacy in the CFC’s history, leading a remarkable period of growth and transformation

Toronto, October 8, 2020 – Slawko Klymkiw, CEO of the Canadian Film Centre (CFC), announced today that he will retire in spring 2021 after 15 years at the helm of one of Canada’s leading cultural organizations.

“Slawko’s extraordinary leadership at the CFC and his years of unwavering support of Canadian creators will undoubtedly leave a long-lasting imprint on our industry,” said Christina Jennings, Chair, CFC Board of Directors and Chairman & CEO, Shaftesbury.“His dedication to accelerating talent, on both sides of the camera, has made certain that CFC alumni are working – building companies and creating Canadian content that is seen around the world. He will be missed, but his legacy will ensure that the CFC remains a valuable part of the Canadian cultural landscape.”

During his tenure at the CFC, Klymkiw has grown CFC’s reputation as Canada’s foremost institution that supports, develops and accelerates the content, careers and companies of Canadian creative and entrepreneurial talent in the screen-based and digital industries. He expertly led and navigated the CFC through a rapid period of growth and evolution in the screen industry, and was instrumental in launching a number of renowned and successful programs and initiatives to better position CFC alumni and Canadian creators for success in the global marketplace, they include: The Netflix-CFC Global Project, which fosters and accelerates diverse Canadian creators and their film/TV projects and advances international marketplace opportunities; The Fifth Wave Initiative, a suite of programming that strengthens the capacity of women entrepreneurs in the digital media space; IDEABOOST, Canada’s only vertical media and entertainment technology accelerator; The Slaight Family Music Lab; the CBC Actors Conservatory; Open Immersion, the first-ever VR creative doc lab; the CFC / Entertainment One TV Adaptation Lab; the Telefilm Canada Feature Comedy Exchange; and a collaboration with the Tribeca Film Institute, among others.

Additionally, Klymkiw oversaw the $12 million Windfields Campus Improvement Project and construction of The Northern Dancer Pavilion, which marked the full restoration of the CFC heritage campus and the preservation of Windfields Estate as a cultural landmark and Ontario Heritage Site.

Klymkiw’s expertise and strategic vision have helped position the CFC as a vital partner to the cultural industries, both nationally and internationally, with Klymkiw successfully securing public and private sector investment and creating strategic alliances and partnerships with key players in the worldwide entertainment business, including Netflix, Bell Media, NBCUniversal, ABC Signature Studios, AMC, Cast & Crew, A&E Networks, William F. White Internationaland Entertainment One (eOne), among others.

Moreover, Klymkiw has increased the CFC’s contributions to Canada’s creative economy by generating thousands of employment opportunities for CFC alumni and by supporting the development of revenue-generating screen-based content and companies. A passionate advocate for developing emerging talent in Canada, Klymkiw helped support and champion the careers of notable creators and CFC alumni and initiated the CFC Award for Creative Excellence, an annual award that honours and celebrates the success of accomplished CFC alumni who have made significant creative and entrepreneurial contributions to the screen-based entertainment industry.

“When I first came to the CFC 15 years ago, I really didn’t know what to expect,” shared Slawko Klymkiw, CEO, CFC. “I must say, it has been the most rewarding, challenging and joyous time in my career. It has been a privilege to grow Norman Jewison’s vision, and to work with a remarkable group of colleagues, board members, partners and alumni who have all contributed to this inspired calling.”

In recognition of his many contributions towards building Canada’s entertainment industry, Klymkiw was inducted into the Playback Canadian Film and TV Hall of Fame in 2013 and honoured with the Outstanding Leadership Achievement Award at the 2013 Innoversity Summit Awards.

In the coming months, CFC’s Board of Directors will begin the process of identifying and selecting a new Chief Executive Officer. More information about this succession process will be shared in early 2021.

About the CFC
The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is a registered charity and a leading cultural organization for the development and advancement of Canadian creative and entrepreneurial talent in the screen-based industries. CFC’s programs and initiatives span film and television, screen acting, composing and songwriting for the screen, and digital and immersive media. These uniquely designed programs support and empower Canadian artists, creators and entrepreneurs, and generate world-class talent, content, products and companies for the global marketplace. For more information, visit cfccreates.com.

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Media Relations

Tamara MacKeigan
Director, Marketing & Communications, CFC
416.986.0612
tmackeigan@cfccreates.com

Cory Angeletti-Szasz
Manager, Communications, CFC
647.273.2795
cangeletti@cfccreates.com

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