With less than one month until the start of Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Canadian powerhouse Elevation Pictures has announced that co-president Laurie May has stepped down, effective immediately.
May, one of the most accomplished executives in the Canadian film industry, issued a terse statement on Tuesday morning that read: “From founding Elevation and working with our team to building it to the top distribution company in Canada, I am excited to now move forward and pursue my other passions.”
Sources expressed surprised at the news and at time of writing the reasons were unclear behind May’s abrupt departure heading into TIFF. Elevation launched in 2013 with the backing of Black Bear and is now wholly owned by that company, operating as its Canadian distributor. Elevation also has output deals with A24 and Neon.
The typically busy Elevation has 14 films in selection including Cristian Mungiu’s Palme d’Or winner Fjord, Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut, and Jordan Firstman’s Cannes Un Certain Regard sensation Club Kid.
Black Bear CEO Teddy Schwarzman issued the following statement: “The entire Elevation team recognises and appreciates Laurie’s substantial contributions to Elevation’s creation, growth and success. Her vision, commitment and entrepreneurial leadership have been instrumental in building the company to what it is today, and we cannot thank her enough for the past thirteen years.”
Over the last few years Elevation has expanded from distribution into production. It is understood Elevation co-president Noah Segal remains in place.
May will speak at TIFF’s Access Canada Summit next month and received the Women in Film and Television (WIFT) Outstanding Achievement Award in 2010.
Among Elevation’s prior release credits are Anora, Sentimental Value, Moonlight, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Infinity Pool, Mile End Kicks, Blackberry, and The Imitation Game.
TIFF runs September 10-20.
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