On Aug. 28, 2024, the Whistler Film Festival Society (WFFS) welcomed two new members to its board of directors at its annual general meeting (AGM).
Barbara Hager, Acimow Media founder and producer, and principal of Penn Road Advisors Beth Janson have both been elected for three-year terms.
Métis-Cree producer, director, and writer Hager is the creator of four television series: the award-winning 1491: The Untold Story of the Americas Before Columbus, Down2Earth, All Our Relations II, and The New Canoe. She has also directed three documentaries: From Bella Coola to Berlin, Sounds Like Motown, and Truth Dance and Reconciliation. Hager is a mentor for TELUS STORYHIVE, Whistler Film Festival’s Indigenous Film Fellowship, and the WIFTV Producer program.
Janson is an experienced executive who most recently served as COO of the Toronto International Film Festival and CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Previously she was the founding director of the Rent the Runway Foundation. Janson also spent over a decade at the Tribeca Film Institute, where she established key programs for filmmakers.
"We’re thrilled to welcome strong industry and Indigenous leadership to the board whose expertise, coupled with the strengths of the current board members, will allow the festival and society to continue to amplify and elevate Canadian talent and build strong, trusted relationships across the industry," says WFFS board chair Sue Brouse in a press release. "Barbara is one of the fundamental advocates for Indigenous leadership and launched one of Canada's leading Indigenous media companies. She’s done groundbreaking work as a producer and director and we are looking forward to having her voice and guidance in this realm.
"To add the brilliance and expertise of Beth to our board is a huge win for Whistler Film Festival Society. Her experience working internationally and at the highest levels in the festival world will provide solid direction and oversight as we move into celebrating our 25th anniversary next year."
Also in a release, the WFFS stated that it "wishes to extend its appreciation to outgoing board member and Whistler Film Festival founder Shauna Hardy for her years of service."
