As a devoted cinema enthusiast who has had the privilege of observing the industry’s evolution over several decades, I cannot help but express my deep sorrow and admiration for the late Anthony “Tony” Cianciotta. The recent news of his passing on June 26 leaves an indelible mark on the film community in Canada and beyond.
Tony Cianciotta, a prominent figure in the Canadian film industry who worked for over 50 years, passed away tranquilly on June 26 at the age of 85.
As a film enthusiast, I embarked on my career in the movie business back in 1965, right here in Toronto, working as a film buyer for J. Arthur Rank Organization, which eventually transformed into Cineplex Odeon. Over the years, I climbed up the corporate ladder and assumed various executive roles at 20th Century Fox Canada and Cineplex Odeon. However, my time as senior vice president and general manager of theatrical distribution at Alliance Releasing from 1992 to 1997 stands out as a remarkable chapter in my film industry journey.
Cianciotta was renowned for his shrewd methods in handling Canadian film releases, frequently surpassing the 10% mark in box office earnings compared to the North American total. His collection encompassed a diverse range of productions – from critically-acclaimed art films like “Cinema Paradiso” and “The English Patient,” to commercially successful franchises such as “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.”
Ellis Jacob, the president and CEO of Cineplex, praised Cianciotta as being deeply enthusiastic and committed to our industry.
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I proudly advocated for Canadian film productions, teaming up with esteemed directors such as Atom Egoyan and David Cronenberg. Egoyan expressed, “I cherished Tony’s passion for films and enjoyed our collaborations immensely. Our discussions about beloved cinematic works were truly enriching experiences. The loss of Tony is a significant one.”
Sturla Gunnarsson, the director of “Such a Long Journey,” expressed his gratitude towards Tony for his significant role in the film’s success. Tony not only screened and became deeply attached to the movie, but he also assisted in regaining its distribution rights and ultimately transformed it into a box office sensation. Tony’s fervor and dedication to releasing the film were just as intense as the team’s was during production.
At international film festivals, Cianciotta was a frequent attendee. His relationship with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) spanned over many years. Piers Handling, who previously led TIFF, described him as “a genuine gentleman” and someone “known for keeping his word.”
Tonya Williams, an actor on “The Young and the Restless” and the executive director of Reelworld Film Festival and Reelworld Screen Institute, expressed: “Tony had a profound passion for films. From 2017 to 2019, he served on Reelworld’s Board of Directors and contributed greatly to refining its lineup.”
Over the past few years, Cianciotta focused on creating lengthy content for global audiences. He assumed the role of executive producer for the Netflix-City TV show “Bad Blood.” Among his achievements were receiving the 2014 Silver Spotlight Award from the Canadian Picture Pioneers and being named to a government committee dealing with public broadcasting services.
As a film enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for inspiring figures in the industry. One such individual was Cianciotta, who not only graced our screens with his talent but also enriched the minds of future filmmakers. He taught at esteemed institutions like the Canadian Film Centre and Queen’s University. His dedication and expertise earned him the prestigious CESAR Award for Excellence in Teaching from Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University).
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2024-07-18 17:49