Board Of Directors
To reach board members of the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission please contact our office:
Phone: (250) 386.3976
Toll-Free: 1-844-816-3456
Email: admin@filmvictoria.com
Don Enright, President Producer
An Emmy-winning producer and a member of the motion picture Academy, Don Enright brings 35 years of creative, managerial, marketing and physical production experience to the creation of entertainment.
As a principal at Barry & Enright Productions and later at Alexander/Enright and Associates in Los Angeles, Mr. Enright directed his company’s prolific operations and ran its development team; as a filmmaker, he’s written and/or produced more than fifty feature films, television films and documentaries, working with Sony, Warner Bros., Universal, NBC, CBS, ABC, Lifetime and Discovery. Enright’s productions have been nominated for eight – and have won three – Emmy Awards, including Best Picture of the year. Born and raised in New York, a graduate of UCLA, he now lives – as a dual Canadian-US citizen – with his family in Victoria, B.C. |
Darlene Tait, Vice President Darlene’s first foray into the film community on Vancouver Island began with extensive film training at the Screen Actors Studio (David Simmonds)in the late-90’s. After some early success, her real estate career took her to Mexico full-time in 2003. She returned to Victoria and re-entered the local film community in 2015. Since then, she has produced award winning short films and performed in numerous films and commercials. Her strong business background as a 30 year marketing executive has made her an asset to the independent film community where she frequently consults to and/or is engaged on local productions. She is currently the President of Cinevic, the local independent film society, and recently completed her term on the Board for Women in Film and Television. As an actor, she is also frequently seen in local commercials for Tourism, Real Estate, Air Travel, Health Clinics and others and is represented by Ignite Artists in Vancouver.
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Annie Wong-Harrison, Secretary NATIONAL CAR & TRUCK RENTAL & ARBUTUS INN OWNER & GENERAL MANAGER
National Car and Truck Rental and the Arbutus Inn have been major supporters and sponsors of the Commission and many other community organizations for many years. Annie has been on the Board of the Film Commission for over 8 years and has worked with numerous producers, production and location managers. Annie has served as a member at large, secretary and is currently the President of the Board. Annie has also served as a Board member for The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce (where she served on the finance and audit committee) and she is currently on the Board of Golf Vancouver Island. Annie’s skills are in sales, marketing, operations and HR. In her term as President, the Film Commission hired a new Film Commissioner. With renewed energy on the Board, the Commission took great leaps forward and hosted 2 Oscar Parties and several other Events as well as increased the profile of the Commission. Building on the successes, Annie is committed to providing a desirable place to film in the CRD, as well as maintaining stable funding for the Film Commission. |
Todd Webber, CPA, CA, Treasurer CONTROLLER Experienced accounting professional and auditor with a demonstrated history of providing exceptional client service, project management and financial services. Skilled in Budgeting, Tax Preparation, External Audit, and Accounting. Strong professional graduated from Camosun College. |
Directors At Large
Barbara Coultish Owner & Talent Division Management
Owner of Barbara Coultish Talent and Model Management, a 40-year-old company which manages a large group of actors and models from Vancouver Island. Currently Manages the Talent Division of Coultish Talent and Model Management.
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Donna Petrie MANAGER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Donne Petrie has been involved in the Victoria film industry since 1998 when she worked for 5 years as Sales Manager at the Inn at Laurel Point. Donna was instrumental in advocating to local hoteliers and suppliers as to the value of the film industry and was quick to form close relationships with location managers and producers looking to film in Victoria. Donna introduced a “give-back” program for Inn at Laurel Point and Paul’s Motor Inn, which provided the Greater Victoria Film Commission of the day with a donation program on actualized room nights from the film industry that stayed at the two properties. While working at Laurel Point, Donna also travelled with the Film Commission to LA to attend industry trade shows and held meetings with key studios with information on filming in Victoria. After leaving Laurel Point, Donna created the vision and implemented the set-up of 3 turnkey production offices operated by the Traveller’s Inn Hotels. Under Donna’s leadership, the previous Now Furniture building was rented to various production companies as a pop-up studio for multiple TV series and feature films. As Manager of Business Development for the City of Langford, Donna is always looking for opportunities to attract more film business out to Langford and hopes to one day see a purpose-built studio in Langford. |
Ed Kahakauwila PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Edison has enjoyed his four-year tenure with the Commission and is excited that the board has been able to achieve many of its objectives, the most recent being the film tax credit. Edison, along with his fellow Commission members, has identified the next objective to be to acquire more studio space here in Victoria. Edison is greatly looking forward to seeing this opportunity become a reality. Edison also sits on the Board of Directors for the Metchosin Community Association (since 1999) and has been the Chair of the Cruise ship Ground Transportation Operators Association. He was a founding member for the B.C. Livery Association and Vancouver Island Livery Association, where he served as President from 2001 to 2004. During this time, Edison met with the Minister of Transportation and assisted Ministry staff in the creation of the Passenger Transportation Board to govern licensing in B.C. Edison has working relationships and affiliations with Tourism Victoria, Victoria Conference Centre, Shop Local Victoria, Victoria Harbor Authority, BBB of Vancouver Island, MPI BC Chapter, regional Chambers of Commerce and the National Limousine Association. As an entrepreneur and founder, Edison has been the creative mind behind his company L.A. Limousines and Transportation Services – a fun experience-driven business that he started in 1989 and is now in its 27th year in Victoria. He has been involved with numerous films, concerts and media events; providing ground transportation, vehicle props and participating in action shots. In 2012, L.A Limousines became the first and only Canadian limousine operator to win the LCT Global Operator of the Year Award. Along with awards from the BBB of Vancouver Island and the West Shore Chamber of Commerce, L.A. Limousines has been recognized for supporting valuable community events, charities and providing exceptional customer service. We’re very grateful to have Edison and his limousines on board with us! |
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Paul Rayman THE PEDALER PRODUCER & OWNER
Paul Rayman has worked in the Film and Television Industry for 20 years, including a stint from 2001-2003 when he served as the Alberta Film Commissioner.
After moving to Victoria, he has worked for the past ten years as a producer and production manager. During the past five years, he has served on the Board of the Film Commission, first as a director and currently as the Vice President. He has made himself available to the Film Commissioner as a resource, being both a producer and former Film Commissioner. He has attended almost every regularly scheduled board meeting over the last five years and has served on several committees.
He hopes to continue to offer his time and expertise to the Board as the Film Commission moves forward. |
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Michael D. Reid WRITER / LOCATIONS SCOUT
After covering Victoria’s film and television production industry for the Times Colonist for 36 years, Michael drew upon that skill set, long-established connections with readers and industry stakeholders, and his familiarity with the region to begin his new film industry career three years ago.
Michael has since actively worked as a location scout on films and television series shot in and around Greater Victoria, with credits including Hallmark’s Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries series, Lifetime’s Landry Saga series of films based on V.C. Andrews novels, Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone and American Dreamer. He has also drawn upon his media experience as host and collaborator on EPK (electronic press kit) projects.
He feels honored having been able to serve on the commission’s board of directors over the past year, a challenge he looks forward to continuing as part of his ongoing involvement with the capital region’s film community. When he isn’t promoting the local industry, Michael occasionally appears on camera, writes about show business for various publications and is public relations liaison for the Canadian College of Performing Arts, capitalizing on his passion for musical theatre and the performing arts.
Born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, Michael moved to Victoria in 1980 from Montreal, where he began his newspaper career writing TV listings at The Montreal Star before going on to cover film, theatre and television, mentored in part by the late Doris Giller. He also wrote for Montreal’s Sunday Express and was active on Montreal’s theatre scene, founding his own theatre company, Theatrix.
During his media career, Michael has interviewed a who’s who of show business luminaries, including George Clooney, Bob Hope, Sir Ian McKellen, Ricky Gervais, Oscar Peterson, Billy Connolly, Kim Cattrall, Robin Williams and Sean Connery.
In 2019, he received the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission’s annual Victoria Film Award in recognition of his contributions to the regional film industry. |
MUNICIPAL COUNCILLOR, DISTRICT OF OAK BAY
Hazel Braithwaite is currently serving her fourth term as a Municipal Councillor in Oak Bay. Some of her many roles on Council include the Public Arts Advisory Committee, Royal and McPherson Theatres Society, Canadian College of Performing Arts, Oak Bay Tourism, the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association and she was the council liaison to the Parks, Recreation & Culture Commission. She is also the 2ndVice-President for the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC).
Hazel loves giving back to the community through her involvement with organizations like United Way, Kiwanis Pavilion, Sovereign Order of St. John and the Oak Bay Tea Party. She was named the Oak Bay News, Women in Business, Community Leader of the Year in 2018 and was awarded the Black Press Community Initiative Award in 2019.
She worked as a geophysicist in the oil and gas industry in Calgary, taught Mathematics at the University of Lae in Papua New Guinea, facilitated Adult Learning at Coast Capital Savings for 20 years and until recently was the Director, Donor and Partner Relations at United Way Greater Victoria.
Hazel is an avid long-distance backpacker and has tackled trails all over the world along with her |
Tim Urqhart PRESIDENT OF SLEGG BUILDING MATERIAL
Tim has completed the Directors Education Program at the University of Calgary-Haskayne School of Business and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. Mr. Urquhart has over 30 years of senior business experience in the Canadian Building Materials Industry. He has been President of Slegg Building Materials on Vancouver Island since 2014 and is an Officer with their publicly traded (NYSE-GMS) parent company, GMS Inc.
From 2003 to 2013 he was CEO of the TIM-BR Mart Group of companies headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. He has been a Director of Cordy Environmental Services in Calgary since August 11, 2011. He is a member of the Cordy Audit Committee, Compensation and Governance Committee. On a personal note: Mr. Urquhart was very active in the supplies to set builders, stage construction and prop manufacturing in Toronto. His company was a major supplier to the iforonto Film community. A highlight was supplying the building materials and hardware for the stage used by the Rolling Stones Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour.
Tim says “It’s an honor to serve on the Board of the Film Commission. I believe that not only is the work being done an economic benefit for the Island, but also that Arts and Entertainment are an important part of our culture.” |
Marilea Pirie PUBLIC SERVICES & RETIRED DIRECTOR GENERAL OF PROCUREMENT CANADA Marilea has 35 years of progressive business experience in the public sector encompassing: Business Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Real Property Services, and Contract Management.
She staged numerous Opening Ceremonies for federal buildings across Canada, hosted international delegations, and negotiated federal funding for large-scale, local infrastructure projects.
Marilea now contributes her leadership skills towards several community-focussed opportunities in Victoria. She became a Director at Large with the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission in January, 2019.
Additionally, after a life-long interest in natural health and wellness, and recently becoming a Certified Deepak Chopra Instructor, she now teaches Yoga, Ayurveda, & Meditation. |
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