Wayne Clarkson | |
---|---|
Born | 1943 |
Nationality | Canadian |
Occupation | film festival director, |
Years active | 1970s-present |
Wayne Clarkson (born 1943) is a retired Canadian film industry executive, who has been a key figure in Canadian film institutions such as the Festival of Festivals,[1] the Canadian Film Centre[2] and Telefilm Canada.[3]
Clarkson began his career working for the Canadian Film Institute, including as director of its FilmExpo series[4] and the Ottawa International Animation Festival.[5] He joined the Festival of Festivals as director in 1978,[1] remaining with the festival until becoming head of the Ontario Film Development Corporation in 1985.[6] His stint as head of the OFDC was credited with kicking off the Toronto New Wave of new young film directors in the late 1980s and early 1990s.[7]
In 1991 he succeeded Peter O'Brian as executive director of the Canadian Film Centre.[2] He remained in that role until being appointed head of Telefilm Canada in 2005,[3] and remained with Telefilm until being succeeded by Carolle Brabant in 2010.[8]
In 2002, the Toronto Film Critics Association awarded Clarkson its Clyde Gilmour Award for distinguished contributions to the film industry in Canada.[9]
His son Wyeth Clarkson is a film director and producer.[10]