Piers Handling is the former CEO and executive director of the Toronto International Film Festival, and former director of the Canadian Film Institute.

Piers was born to Joan Garrod and Douglas Handling, who met during World War II.

[1] He was born in Calgary, but raised on army bases throughout Europe.

Handling joined the Toronto International Film Festival in 1982, replaced Helga Stephenson as programmer in 1987, and became CEO and executive director in 1994.

[3] In 2003, Handling was named CEO of the Year by the Canadian Public Relations Society.