WestWind Pictures is an independent television production company with offices in Toronto and Boston. The company is currently involved in scripted series, lifestyle programming, documentary films and children's media. Our diverse product line reflects a commitment to produce imaginative, entertaining, and insightful programming.

Toronto Office

  • 155 Liberty Street
  • Toronto, ON, M6K 3G3
  • Phone: 416.516.4414
  • Fax: 416.538.0026

Boston Office

  • 173 Davis Avenue Suite #3
  • Brookline MA, USA 02445
  • Phone: 617.981.1937

With offices in both Toronto and Boston, WestWind Pictures is a leading independent television production and distribution company, currently involved in scripted series, most notably the critically acclaimed Little Mosque on the Prairie, as well as lifestyle programming, documentary films and children’s media.

 

The company, originally named Film Crew Productions, started in 1989 as a commercial and corporate video production company that, in 1991, expanded into the world of documentaries and television series production. WestWind Pictures was created in 1998 in response to a growing demand for its television productions. It has since established itself as a leader in television program creation and production.

 

WestWind’s diverse product line reflects a commitment to produce imaginative, entertaining, and insightful programming which is distributed around the globe through its distribution arm, WestWind Releasing. The company’s programs have aired in over 90 countries and broadcast in 20 languages.

 

WestWind Pictures is an active member of the Canadian Media Production Association, Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, and CEO Mary Darling is a member of Women in Film & Television Toronto.  The company also has a strong presence at all major international markets, including NATPE, RealScreen, KidScreen, MIPTV, Banff International TV Festival, DISCOP, and MIPCOM.

Meet The Team

Mary Darling

Chief Executive Officer; Executive Producer

Clark Donnelly

President;
Executive Producer

Anton Leo

Vice President, Development

Daniel Bennett

Vice President;
Business Affairs

Paola Alevizos

Controller

Tal Riff

Manager, Marketing and Distribution

Shane Corkery

Manager, Scripted Development; Producer

Bre Vader

Manager, Development

Mary Darling

Upon joining the company in 1998, Mary created the hugely successful Designer Guys franchise. Since then, she has maintained a commitment to lifestyle programming while expanding the company’s focus into drama. The first foray into this genre, Little Mosque on the Prairie, is an international hit, demonstrating Mary’s belief that media can engage relevant topics for a global audience in an entertaining and highly saleable package. Under her guidance the company continues to expand into documentary and children’s programming. Mary has received numerous awards, including the WIFT International Achievement Award for Excellence in Innovation and the Common Ground Award for Building Understanding. She also heads up WestWind Releasing which distributes the company’s properties around the world. Mary co-owns WestWind Pictures with her husband, Clark Donnelly.

Clark Donnelly

Clark co-founded WestWind Pictures is 1989. During the 1990s, he executive produced over 600 episodes of What on Earth, a daily talk show that dealt with topics such as family, the arts, spirituality and social issues—an indication of the themes the company would continue to explore for over 20 years. Since then, he has expanded the roster to include drama, lifestyle, documentary, and most recently, children’s programming. Clark remains committed to creating thought provoking content and finding new and sometimes overlooked audiences worldwide. Clark serves as Executive Producer on all of the company’s productions, including Little Mosque on the Prairie and GoldMind. Clark co-owns WestWind Pictures with his wife, Mary Darling.

Anton Leo

Anton Leo comes to WestWind Pictures from Just For Laughs where he was Vice-President of TV and produced comedy specials with Eric Stonestreet, Craig Ferguson, Weird Al, John Oliver and others. Prior to his time at Just For Laughs, Anton spent eight years at CBC Television as a Creative Head, Production Executive and an Executive Producer overseeing such comedy series as Little Mosque on the Prairie, 22 Minutes, The Ron James Show and The Debaters. Before his CBC career, Anton managed a radio station, a comedy club and performed sketch comedy across Canada, however he still considers his greatest accomplishment to be his memorable performance as “waiter with tray” in a late 70s beer commercial.

Daniel Bennett

From structuring development deals to coordinating distribution sales around the world, Dan Bennett oversees all of the day-to-day business affairs activities of WestWind Pictures and WestWind Releasing. His responsibilities include securing production financing through various public and private sources, overseeing the contracting of production staff, interacting with agents and unions, negotiating distribution agreements, and working with the management team to develop new business initiatives.

Paola Alevizos

Paola Alevizos came to WestWind Pictures in early 2009 and has over 20 years experience in the television industry. She has accounting experience in all genres, from drama and reality, to lifestyle and documentary. Paola oversees WestWind Pictures’ Finance Department for both corporate and production accounting. She is involved in the full cycle of the production process, including budgeting, tax credit calculation, interim financing, cost reporting, year-end, auditing and distribution.

Tal Riff

As the Sales and Marketing Manager for WestWind Pictures, Tal is responsible for a variety of corporate and show-specific marketing and promotions endeavors. Tal oversees the sales and marketing strategy for international markets, including developing brand messaging both online and offline. Tal managed the re-branding and launch of Designer Guys: DGIII, including publicity, sponsorship and online marketing, and is currently taking the lead on product integration for Little Mosque. Tal also manages international sales of the WestWind Pictures catalogue, and works with the management team to find strategic partners for new business developments.

Shane Corkery

Shane Corkery manages the development of both dramatic and documentary projects for WestWind Pictures. In addition to seeking out and developing new projects, Shane also acts as Producer on Little Mosque on the Prairie. Prior to working at WestWind Pictures, Shane worked as a freelancer in various capacities of the film and television industry for over 10 years. He joined WestWind Pictures in 2004.

Bre Vader

Bre manages the creation and development of new and ongoing projects for Westwind Pictures. She works in many genres, including drama, lifestyle, and children’s. She is focused on creating media that is socially responsible as well as innovative, engaging and entertaining. She works out of the Boston office.