What’s happened to Canadian film and TV during the past year was so pivotal, you could put it on a bumper sticker. Donald Trump threatening Canada with economic tariffs and 51st-state taunts unleashed a groundswell of Canadian patriotism. Borrowing from hockey, an “Elbows up!” movement followed, as audiences countrywide embraced homegrown movies and TV shows. Producers behind breakout hits like Heated Rivalry and Backrooms became rare Canadian talents that Hollywood covets, while Canadian financiers found new ways to make local media content for world markets — without relying on Hollywood.
Whether it’s Mike Myers mouthing the words “Elbows up!” on Saturday Night Live, Bryan Adams singing his “51st State” song or creators building global careers beyond Hollywood, Canada is having a cultural moment. The Hollywood Reporter looks at the 25 executives, producers and creatives behind this flashpoint with our second annual list of the 25 top dealmakers and decision-makers north of the border.
Michele Austin
President and managing director, Motion Picture Association Canada
In January, Austin became the top lobbyist for Hollywood studios in Canada, while navigating the Canadian government’s effort to compel U.S. streamers to subsidize local content production as part of the Online Streaming Act. Then Ottawa dramatically reversed course in an effort to not antagonize Trump during trade negotiations. Like many Canadian decision-makers, Austin says the local industry needs more stability in the face of multiple challenges happening simultaneously, from American streaming dominance to Trump bullying. “A rising tide lifts all boats, and Canadian policymakers, the business community and entertainment sector leaders need to work together to stabilize policies to attract long-term investment to our industry,” Austin says, pointing to global competitiveness as the industry’s biggest challenge. Her guilty Canadian content pleasure? Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing, a Netflix figure skating documentary.
