press release
December 18, 2025
TIFF announces leadership promotions across key departments and welcomes three new hires to its Senior Management Team
TORONTO — As the year comes to a close and TIFF 50 officially wraps, TIFF is announcing the promotion of Keith Bennie, Alyssa Kornet, and Geoff Macnaughton to Vice President roles, further strengthening the organization’s leadership as it continues its commitment to programming, operations, and industry initiatives. Additionally, TIFF is pleased to welcome three new members to its Senior Management Team: Amit Khanna, Chief Financial Officer; Matthew MacDonald, VP of Digital Transformation; and Charles Tremblay, Head of TIFF: The Market.
“I’m pleased to congratulate Keith, Alyssa, and Geoff on their well-deserved promotions, and to warmly welcome Amit, Matt, and Charles to TIFF, “ said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “Each of these leaders brings exceptional skill, vision, and commitment to our mission. Together, their expertise strengthens our Senior Management Team at a pivotal moment for the organization. I’m confident their collective contributions will help propel TIFF into its next chapter of growth, innovation, and impact.”
Keith Bennie has been promoted to VP, Public Programming and Audience Engagement and leads an expanded portfolio of TIFF Lightbox programming, including Cinematheque, Next Wave, Community Impact, talks and subscription series, marquee series, and the Film Reference Library. Over more than 14 years at TIFF, from Assistant to Senior Director, Keith has played a pivotal role in shaping Public Programming strategies, driving audience growth, and advancing meaningful community partnerships.
Amit Khanna, CPA, CA, Chief Financial Officer, is a finance leader with more than 15 years of experience across the not-for-profit, public, and professional services sectors. Before joining TIFF, Amit served as CFO and Head of Technology at Peel Children’s Aid Society, where he led financial renewal and advanced initiatives that strengthened community impact. He has also held senior roles at Deloitte and MNP.
Alyssa Kornet has been promoted to VP, Operations and Production. In this expanded role, Kornet leads teams across Visitor Experience, Festival Services and Volunteers, Event Experience and Hospitality, Technical Production, Ticketing Services, and Facilities, and will also oversee the implementation of TIFF’s Sustainability Strategy. Since starting as a TIFF Customer Relations Supervisor 15 years ago with a background in international project management, employment relations, and corporate social responsibility, she has held various roles across Festival operations; most recently, she was Senior Director, Festival Services and Event Production.
Matthew MacDonald, VP of Digital Transformation, is a digital and technology leader with extensive experience in digital transformation, customer strategy, and organizational design across multiple industries. Prior to joining TIFF, Matthew designed and led the digital transformation department at Wellington-Altus, accelerating delivery of core systems while advancing the firm’s early efforts in AI innovation. Over the past decade, Matthew has also held consulting roles at firms including Protiviti and EY, where he led large cross-functional teams on transformation initiatives, including data and analytics, cloud migration, and mobile application development.
Geoff Macnaughton has been promoted to VP, Market Programming & Theatrical and oversees film, series, and innovation programming initiatives for TIFF: The Market while continuing to expand the organization’s support of episodic creators and content. In this role, Macnaughton will continue to program the Primetime section of the Festival while also leading TIFF’s year-round theatrical business. Over 16 years at TIFF, from Coordinator to Senior Director, he has worked to strengthen industry relationships, identify new business opportunities, and grow TIFF Lightbox’s theatrical audiences.
Charles Tremblay, Head of TIFF: The Market, brings more than 20 years of experience in acquiring and distributing films in Canada. After beginning his career in law, he joined UTA and later co-founded Metropole Films Distribution before launching MK2 | MILE END, which became Sphere Films, where he served as President until 2024. Most recently, he was with MUBI, overseeing successful Canadian releases including TIFF ’24’s The Substance and Queer. Throughout his career, he has championed acclaimed Festival titles such as Parasite, Aftersun, The Worst Person in the World, and We Live in Time.
“I’m pleased to congratulate Keith, Alyssa, and Geoff on their well-deserved promotions, and to warmly welcome Amit, Matt, and Charles to TIFF, “ said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “Each of these leaders brings exceptional skill, vision, and commitment to our mission. Together, their expertise strengthens our Senior Management Team at a pivotal moment for the organization. I’m confident their collective contributions will help propel TIFF into its next chapter of growth, innovation, and impact.”
Keith Bennie has been promoted to VP, Public Programming and Audience Engagement and leads an expanded portfolio of TIFF Lightbox programming, including Cinematheque, Next Wave, Community Impact, talks and subscription series, marquee series, and the Film Reference Library. Over more than 14 years at TIFF, from Assistant to Senior Director, Keith has played a pivotal role in shaping Public Programming strategies, driving audience growth, and advancing meaningful community partnerships.
Amit Khanna, CPA, CA, Chief Financial Officer, is a finance leader with more than 15 years of experience across the not-for-profit, public, and professional services sectors. Before joining TIFF, Amit served as CFO and Head of Technology at Peel Children’s Aid Society, where he led financial renewal and advanced initiatives that strengthened community impact. He has also held senior roles at Deloitte and MNP.
Alyssa Kornet has been promoted to VP, Operations and Production. In this expanded role, Kornet leads teams across Visitor Experience, Festival Services and Volunteers, Event Experience and Hospitality, Technical Production, Ticketing Services, and Facilities, and will also oversee the implementation of TIFF’s Sustainability Strategy. Since starting as a TIFF Customer Relations Supervisor 15 years ago with a background in international project management, employment relations, and corporate social responsibility, she has held various roles across Festival operations; most recently, she was Senior Director, Festival Services and Event Production.
Matthew MacDonald, VP of Digital Transformation, is a digital and technology leader with extensive experience in digital transformation, customer strategy, and organizational design across multiple industries. Prior to joining TIFF, Matthew designed and led the digital transformation department at Wellington-Altus, accelerating delivery of core systems while advancing the firm’s early efforts in AI innovation. Over the past decade, Matthew has also held consulting roles at firms including Protiviti and EY, where he led large cross-functional teams on transformation initiatives, including data and analytics, cloud migration, and mobile application development.
Geoff Macnaughton has been promoted to VP, Market Programming & Theatrical and oversees film, series, and innovation programming initiatives for TIFF: The Market while continuing to expand the organization’s support of episodic creators and content. In this role, Macnaughton will continue to program the Primetime section of the Festival while also leading TIFF’s year-round theatrical business. Over 16 years at TIFF, from Coordinator to Senior Director, he has worked to strengthen industry relationships, identify new business opportunities, and grow TIFF Lightbox’s theatrical audiences.
Charles Tremblay, Head of TIFF: The Market, brings more than 20 years of experience in acquiring and distributing films in Canada. After beginning his career in law, he joined UTA and later co-founded Metropole Films Distribution before launching MK2 | MILE END, which became Sphere Films, where he served as President until 2024. Most recently, he was with MUBI, overseeing successful Canadian releases including TIFF ’24’s The Substance and Queer. Throughout his career, he has championed acclaimed Festival titles such as Parasite, Aftersun, The Worst Person in the World, and We Live in Time.