Shane Smith is an Australian-Canadian film and television executive, currently a programmer and producer of documentary films for TVOntario.Taimur Sikander Mirza, "TVO hires Hot Docs’ Shane Smith, Sphere Media’s Aidan Denison". Playback, March 19, 2024. Prior to joining TVOntario in 2024, he was a programmer for the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival from 2015 to 2023,Pat Mullen, "Artistic Director Shane Smith Steps Down from Hot Docs". Point of View, June 14, 2023. holding the role of artistic director of the festival in 2022 and 2023."Hot Docs artistic director Shane Smith latest leader to exit film festival". Toronto Star, June 14, 2023.
He should not be confused with the Shane Smith associated with Vice Media.
Born and raised in Australia, he is a graduate of Macquarie University, and moved to Canada in 1996.Travis Johnson, "Shane Smith: Bringing Hot Docs Down Under". Film Ink.
He previously served as a programmer for the Inside Out Film and Video Festival,Stephanie Nolen, "Gay, lesbian film boom lets festival pick and choose". The Globe and Mail, May 20, 1999. director of the CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival,Brenda Bouw, "Toronto short film festival to expand under new owner". National Post, November 30, 2000. and director of special projects with the Toronto International Film Festival.Laura Beeston, "TIFF veteran to lead Hot Docs". The Globe and Mail, August 20, 2015. He has written film reviews for Xtra Magazine and Cinema Scope,"Hot Docs Names Shane Smith its New Director of Programming". Film Button, August 26, 2015. and has worked as a programmer for Silver Screen Classics.Manori Ravindran, "Hot Docs’ Shane Smith on shorts, VR and world premieres". Playback, August 21, 2015.
While with TIFF he was regular programmer of the Short Cuts lineup,Etan Vlessing, "TIFF introduces international short film showcase". Playback, February 10, 2014. and returned for the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival as a member of the Short Cuts award jury.Jeremy Kay, "TIFF brings back renamed Best Canadian Discovery Award". Screen Daily, August 22, 2024.
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