Shane Smith (producer)

Shane Smith is an Australian-Canadian film and television executive, currently a programmer and producer of documentary films for TVOntario.[1] Prior to joining TVOntario in 2024, he was a programmer for the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival from 2015 to 2023,[2] holding the role of artistic director of the festival in 2022 and 2023.[3]

He should not be confused with the Shane Smith associated with Vice Media.

Born and raised in Australia, he is a graduate of Macquarie University, and moved to Canada in 1996.[4]

He previously served as a programmer for the Inside Out Film and Video Festival,[5] director of the CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival,[6] and director of special projects with the Toronto International Film Festival.[7] He has written film reviews for Xtra Magazine and Cinema Scope,[8] and has worked as a programmer for Silver Screen Classics.[9]

While with TIFF he was regular programmer of the Short Cuts lineup,[10] and returned for the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival as a member of the Short Cuts award jury.[11]

References

  1. ^ Taimur Sikander Mirza, "TVO hires Hot Docs’ Shane Smith, Sphere Media’s Aidan Denison". Playback, March 19, 2024.
  2. ^ Pat Mullen, "Artistic Director Shane Smith Steps Down from Hot Docs". Point of View, June 14, 2023.
  3. ^ "Hot Docs artistic director Shane Smith latest leader to exit film festival". Toronto Star, June 14, 2023.
  4. ^ Travis Johnson, "Shane Smith: Bringing Hot Docs Down Under". Film Ink.
  5. ^ Stephanie Nolen, "Gay, lesbian film boom lets festival pick and choose". The Globe and Mail, May 20, 1999.
  6. ^ Brenda Bouw, "Toronto short film festival to expand under new owner". National Post, November 30, 2000.
  7. ^ Laura Beeston, "TIFF veteran to lead Hot Docs". The Globe and Mail, August 20, 2015.
  8. ^ "Hot Docs Names Shane Smith its New Director of Programming". Film Button, August 26, 2015.
  9. ^ Manori Ravindran, "Hot Docs’ Shane Smith on shorts, VR and world premieres". Playback, August 21, 2015.
  10. ^ Etan Vlessing, "TIFF introduces international short film showcase". Playback, February 10, 2014.
  11. ^ Jeremy Kay, "TIFF brings back renamed Best Canadian Discovery Award". Screen Daily, August 22, 2024.