Piers Handling

Piers Handling (born 1949) is the former CEO and executive director of the Toronto International Film Festival, and former director of the Canadian Film Institute.

Early life Piers was born to Joan Garrod and Douglas Handling, who met during World War II. He was born in Calgary, but raised on army bases throughout Europe.

During his tenure, TIFF became one of the biggest film festivals in the world, with its own permanent downtown home and film hub in TIFF Lightbox, which screens films and holds various events year-round.

In 2003, Handling was named CEO of the Year by the Canadian Public Relations Society. Handling was succeeded by Joana Vicente in November 2018.

Recognition Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, 1997 University of Toronto, and Queen's University Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2012 Order of Ontario, 2014 Order of Canada, 2017 Business for the Art's Peter Herrndorf Award, 2017 Officier des Arts et des Lettres, 2018