TORONTO -- Toronto Mayor David Miller has tapped Karen Thorne-Stone for the newly created position of film commissioner for the city.
Thorne-Stone was most recently acting executive director of economic development for Toronto, where she helped establish the Toronto Film Board two years ago as one of the film-friendly mayor's strategies for revitalizing the biz here.
Toronto was once the third-largest center for filming in North America. But a combination of factors, including anti-runaway production sentiments in the U.S.; increased competition from other locales internationally, across Canada and even within Ontario; a soaring Canadian dollar; and 2003's SARS scare have taken their toll.
"The film industry is a vitally important part of Toronto's economic and cultural livelihood and Karen understands that," said Miller. "I look forward to working with her and the film board as we continue to fight for the removal of senior government policies that have resulted in reduced domestic production in this city."
Her job will be to promote Toronto as a desirable lensing destination both nationally and internationally. Part of that will be lobbying to make the most of tax incentives for those shooting in the city. Thorne-Stone will also be the city's rep on development and infrastructure matters such as the Film Port, a mega-studio being built in Toronto's Portlands.
Previously, Toronto Film & Television Office helmer Rhonda Silverstone handled both industry strategy and lobbying as well as lensing permits. She will continue to oversee permitting.
Thorne-Stone takes up her new post on March 20.
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