‘Turmoil’ has Winnipeg Film Group replacing top exec a month into job

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This article was published 17/06/2022 (1549 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Film Group finds itself mired in controversy once again with the departure of its recently appointed executive director, Ivan Hughes, who left his role on May 26, a month into his tenure.

He has been replaced by Leslie Supnet, a moving-image artist and educator. The announcement of Supnet’s role as the new executive director was made Wednesday, after a two-part special general meeting that took place earlier this month.

The film group released a statement on its website welcoming Supnet to the role.

“We are very pleased and excited to welcome an acclaimed, engaged and experienced member of our community to the organization. Throughout her career Leslie has truly demonstrated a commitment to the values and vision we wish to pursue,” it stated.

The Free Press contacted Supnet regarding the circumstances surrounding her appointment. She declined to comment.

Hughes took on the mantle of executive director in April after the dismissal of Greg Klymkiw, who was accused by former WFG employee Ben Williams of creating a “toxic” environment and using profane, socially backward and mean-spirited language in the workplace.

His departure follows that of Monica Lowe, longtime director of distribution, and David Knipe, who oversaw the theatre’s programming and led its artistic direction.

Hughes has gone back to filmmaking, he says, stating that he wasn’t the “right fit” for the group.

“When I came into the job I didn’t realize how much turmoil there was going on behind the scenes,” Hughes said.

“I just decided that I wasn’t the right fit for the organization. I am a filmmaker and I have gone back to filmmaking.”

He only has the best wishes for the organization, despite his short-lived tenure.

“The Winnipeg Film Group has been around for a long time; almost 50 years. It has done a lot of great things for the independent film community and I hope it can find its way through the period that it’s currently in.”

av.kitching@winnipegfreepress.com