Ben Whyte
Toronto,ON
Summary
From a young age, I developed a deep passion for film and have since dedicated my life to sharing diverse and unique stories with the world. I am committed to creating inclusive events that foster community and invite others to share their voices. A quote that captures my outlook comes from the film I Like Movies: ‘I need to watch movies, like I need to breathe air.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Festivals Manager
REEL CANADA
01.2021 - Current
- Responsible for managing all yearly live events programs, including overseeing the timeline so all elements are created and put in place before the event deadline. Elements include creating schedules, contract agreements, booking travel and accommodations as well as guest relations as well as managing all day-of logistics on-site.
- Served as one of the lead managers responsible for event and production logistics for National Canadian Film Day
- Lead coordinator on "Telling Canadian Stories Through Film: A Sneak Preview of National Canadian Film Day" which took place at the Rideau Hall Estate. Oversaw all event logistics including; script and content development, booking travel and accommodations for staff and guests, event schedule and ROS creation, guest relations, audience development and all day-of logistics on-site. Worked closely with the Rideau Hall team and a number of special high value guests from the Canadian Film Industry and Canadian Government.
- Lead coordinator on the Night Raiders 2022 tour partnering with the Night Raiders team, organizing three screenings of Night Raiders on multiple Indigenous Reservations around the country. These public screenings were all attended by director Danis Goulet and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, who I supported throughout the series and acted as their liaison throughout the tour.
- Co-lead on the Film BIPOC Panel, which brought together four diverse panelists at a school in Whitby. This recorded panel was a discussion about BIPOC voices behind the camera in the Canadian film industry. I was responsible for coordinating with the partnering school, guests and production team who were recording the event. I also managed day-of logistics on-site.
- Managed the on-site logistics Blood Quantum Screening for the 2022 National Canadian Film. Was responsible for guest relations, timing, and audience management.
- Managed and executed the Lending Library Program which is a national program that allows public educators to borrow Canadian films for free from REEL CANADA with lesson plans.
- Facilitated and moderated Reel Opportunities workshops within secondary schools that included question and answer sessions with young industry professionals.
- Organized and developed round table discussions on anti-racism that involved a group of diverse students from across the country. Participants screened a film and then participated in a discussion with a guest from the film.
Assistant Production Manager
MXL MEDIA
07.2024 - 11.2024
- Create a detailed project schedule, coordinate the crew and the 3rd party contractors (such as equipment rentals or catering), prepare permits and contracts, oversee location scouting and management, and look after the budget allocation.
- Worked on productions based in Toronto ON, Montreal QC, and Michigan, USA.
Film Programmer
TORONTO YOUTH SHORTS
04.2024 - Current
- Responsible for reviewing short film submissions providing notes and attending regular programming meetings to discuss the submitted films.
- Conducted outreach to youth organizations and school boards to solicit short film content.
- Hosted and moderated the Q&A for the second series of shorts, Escape Your Reality.
Film Programmer
JAYU HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL+
04.2021 - 05.2023
- Responsible for reviewing feature and short film submissions, providing notes to the programming team for festival curation. I attended regular meetings with the team to discuss the films and help curate the final film selections.
- Developed the questions for the question-and-answer portion for the screening of the film “Hong Kong Mixtape”. Introduced the film and moderated the question-and-answer portion with the guests and audience.
- Participated in social media marketing and video promotion for the festival.
Film Programmer
SOUTHWESTERN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
2021 - 2023
- Responsible for reviewing and adding notes to all feature and short films submitted through film freeway. These notes were reported to the programming manager for further curation
- Presented two films at the 2022 festival.
Skills
- Extensive knowledge of Film, Film History, and the Canadian Film Industry
- Proficient with Adobe Creative Cloud applications; Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Media Encoder
- Proficient with Airtable, Salesforce, Hiver and Google Suite
- Proficient in File and Data Management, including Dropbox
- Experience in guest relations having worked with several high priority Canadian and International guests
- Proficient in creating run of show schedules, leading, and organizing several events from conception to execution
- Experience in event space technical set-up, ie, microphones, soundboard, Zoom connections, projectors set-up
JAYU HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL+
- April – August 2021; May – December 2023
- Responsible for reviewing feature and short film submissions, providing notes to the programming team for festival curation. I attended regular meetings with the team to discuss the films and help curate the final film selections.
- Developed the questions for the question-and-answer portion for the screening of the film “Hong Kong Mixtape”. Introduced the film and moderated the question-and-answer portion with the guests and audience.
- Participated in social media marketing and video promotion for the festival.
SOUTHWESTERN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
- 2021-2023
- Responsible for reviewing and adding notes to all feature and short films submitted through film freeway. These notes were reported to the programming manager for further curation.
- Presented two films at the 2022 festival.
Timeline
Assistant Production Manager
MXL MEDIA
07.2024 - 11.2024
Film Programmer
TORONTO YOUTH SHORTS
04.2024 - Current
Film Programmer
JAYU HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL+
04.2021 - 05.2023
Festivals Manager
REEL CANADA
01.2021 - Current
Film Programmer
SOUTHWESTERN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
2021 - 2023
Similar Profiles
Gabriel CordascoGabriel Cordasco
Lead Deckhand at Captain Vince Reel ,"REEL SPORT" TeamLead Deckhand at Captain Vince Reel ,"REEL SPORT" Team
Tristan SudamaTristan Sudama
Golf Cart Driver at Rumor ReelGolf Cart Driver at Rumor Reel
Damarion JelksDamarion Jelks
Event Server at Rod 'N' Reel CateringEvent Server at Rod 'N' Reel Catering
Kenrick BarnettKenrick Barnett
Digital Content Creator at Dutchpot ChroniclesDigital Content Creator at Dutchpot Chronicles
Tina MaiTina Mai
Digital Marketing Coordinator at SGreenGolf Inc.Digital Marketing Coordinator at SGreenGolf Inc.