Telefilm Canada welcomes Mehernaz Lentin as the new National Director, Feature Film – English Market

November 22, 2021 – Telefilm Canada is pleased to welcome Mehernaz Lentin as the new National Director, Feature Film – English Market, for a five-year term starting on December 6, 2021.  

Ms. Lentin brings to Telefilm well over two decades of industry experience as a Senior Director of CBC Films since fall of 2017 and as an independent producer prior to joining CBC. She was responsible for overseeing the funding and pre-licensing of Canadian features for broadcast on CBC and streaming on GEM. Ms. Lentin has been pivotal in shaping CBC Films by implementing a strategic direction that supported the funding of over 50 feature films that reflect, represent, and reframe a range of perspectives through contemporary character-driven stories that are at the heart of the Canadian experience.  

Reporting to the Vice President of Cultural Portfolio Management, René Bourdages, and as a member of senior management, Ms. Lentin will play a critical role in ensuring that Telefilm remains at the heart of Canada’s cultural sector by developing and implementing a feature film business plan aligned with Telefilm’s strategic objectives as well as the new realities of the film industry. Telefilm’s Regional Feature Film Executives will report directly to her.    

“Mehernaz’s wealth of experience at CBC Films and as a producer for twenty years is invaluable as we continue to foster greater access through our programs that support cultural resonance and audience engagement,” said René Bourdages, Vice President of Cultural Portfolio Management. “I also want to take this moment to acknowledge and thank our Interim National Director, Feature Film, Lauren Davis, for taking on this role for the last nine months to ensure that our partners are well-served.”  

Ms. Lentin will be based out of the Toronto office when it reopens.