Q&A: Canada has what the world wants — and Trump knows it, says directors guild head

Alistair Hepburn has only been executive director of the Directors Guild of Canada for a few months, but he’s no rookie. Hepburn came to the guild, which represents more than 7,000 workers in Canada’s cultural sector, earlier this year after stints with ACTRA Toronto, the Canadian Actors' Equity Association, and the Canadian Stage Company. A well-known player in the arts space (with a name that fits), Hepburn was also recently named one of the country’s top entertainment dealmakers by The Hollywood Reporter. In an exclusive interview with The Wire Report, Hepburn spoke about the issues taking up most of his time, his review of Prime Minister Mark Carney, as well as the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival. Alistair Hepburn. LinkedIn photograph You took on a leadership role at the Directors Guild of Canada earlier this year, and you picked quite a year to start. We’ve had trade wars, never-ending drama around the Online Streaming Act, and you’re also approaching your first Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in this position. What’s occupying most of your brain space these days? For us, there’s a few items. I would suggest the Online Streaming Act and what’s occurring there, along with the $600-million promise from the government versus the five to 15 per cent requirements for streamers — that’s all a massive consideration for us. I think the tax incentives being bandied around south of the border and tariffs have a huge play in what we are looking at up here. Then, I think the bubbling undercurrent with everything we do has a lot to do with AI and copyright. Those are probably the grandest files because they all turn into potential work opportunities or loss of work opportunities. You referenced U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to introduce tax incentives to help lure back film and television producers. How did you view that? Is that a testament to the success of Canada’s industry? Absolutely. With Washington D.C. talking about competing harder for film and television production, Canada’s response should be to compete harder as well. I don’t think we need to panic about the competition, but we certainly should not be complacent about it. The fact that Washington wants to compete harder for this work tells you something about the value of what Canada has built, and we’re talking coast-to-coast-to-coast. How do you feel about the government’s representation of your interests? Earlier this year, there was lots of optimism about how Ottawa was approaching cultural policy, but we’ve seen some pivots under the Online Streaming Act and elsewhere. Do you have confidence in the federal government? I do, because when the prime minister says Canada has what the world wants, he’s right. He’s not only talking about energy and minerals and natural resources, but he’s also talking about the world-class creative talent that Canada has. Prior to starting my role back in January, he showed up in Ottawa at Prime Time as a huge fan of what happens in Canada. Was there a great little press moment with him and Hudson Willams from Heated Rivalry? Absolutely, but the fact that the prime minister took the time to actually come to that shows that he understands not just the cultural value, but the economic value that work brings. For Carney and any government, whether they want to consider the actual artistic work being done, they can’t deny the economic work that’s also being done on this. I’m fine with that because if we want to look at this from an economic lens, it’s a major, major driver. There are hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country, billions poured into the economy, and both Canadian and foreign production is employing people here. So, if we want to look at this from purely economic value, we can do that. So, I’m okay with who is representing us and the work they continue to do. Do I wish it was faster? Absolutely. Do I wish it was even more elbows up? Of course. But I think, at the moment, I would echo Carney when he says we have what the world wants, and that includes our stories and the people who tell them. Do you think all this uncertainty currently facing the sector could cast a shadow over TIFF? I don’t know if it will cast a shadow, but it will be talked about in every single room, without question. But I think the work being done at TIFF will rise above all that. It tends to not worry too much about borders, and the work shown at TIFF comes from all over the world. There’s also going to be a whole lot more business that occurs at TIFF this year as well because of the new market. So, will it colour conversation? One hundred per cent. But, will it overshadow everything? No, I don’t think so. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. dlegree@thewirereport.ca

Q&A: Canada has what the world wants — and Trump knows it, says directors guild head

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By Davis Legree
|September 11, 2026

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Q&A: Canada has what the world wants — and Trump knows it, says directors guild head

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By Davis Legree
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