Michael MacMillan
Encyclopedia
Michael I.M. MacMillan is the Co-founder and Chairman of Samara, a charitable organization that studies citizen engagement with the Canadian democracy. Through its projects, it hopes to strengthen the health of Canada's democracy and encourage others to do the same.
. Michael co-founded Atlantis Films in 1978. In its early years, Atlantis was primarily a film and television production house, winning an Oscar in 1984 for its short film Boys and Girls
and an Emmy in 1992 for Lost in the Barrens. In 1993 Atlantis became a broadcaster with the launch of its first network, Life Network. In 1998 Atlantis acquired Alliance Communications (and became Alliance Atlantis). It was under Michael's continued leadership that the company operated 13 Canadian television networks including HGTV Canada, Showcase Television, History Television and the Food Network. The company also distributed and produced movies and television programs including the hit series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. In 2007, Michael sold Alliance Atlantis
.
, it was announced on November 29, 2006, that he had been elected, as of January 1, 2007, as Chair of the Board of Governors of Upper Canada College
(UCC), from which he also graduated in 1974.
MacMillan also volunteers with organizations such as Toronto East General Hospital, the Canadian Club of Toronto and the Toronto International Film Festival.
Career
Michael was previously the Executive Chairman of Alliance AtlantisAlliance Atlantis
Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. was a Toronto-based media company that operated primarily as a specialty service operator in Canada. Alliance Atlantis also had offices in Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Madrid, Barcelona, Shannon and Sydney.Alliance Atlantis was acquired by Canwest...
. Michael co-founded Atlantis Films in 1978. In its early years, Atlantis was primarily a film and television production house, winning an Oscar in 1984 for its short film Boys and Girls
Boys and Girls (1983 film)
Boys and Girls is a 1983 short film directed by Don McBrearty. It won an Academy Award in 1984 for Best Short Subject.Boys and Girls is based on the Alice Munro short story of the same name written in 1968...
and an Emmy in 1992 for Lost in the Barrens. In 1993 Atlantis became a broadcaster with the launch of its first network, Life Network. In 1998 Atlantis acquired Alliance Communications (and became Alliance Atlantis). It was under Michael's continued leadership that the company operated 13 Canadian television networks including HGTV Canada, Showcase Television, History Television and the Food Network. The company also distributed and produced movies and television programs including the hit series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. In 2007, Michael sold Alliance Atlantis
Alliance Atlantis
Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. was a Toronto-based media company that operated primarily as a specialty service operator in Canada. Alliance Atlantis also had offices in Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Madrid, Barcelona, Shannon and Sydney.Alliance Atlantis was acquired by Canwest...
.
Other interests
A graduate of Queen's UniversityQueen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, it was announced on November 29, 2006, that he had been elected, as of January 1, 2007, as Chair of the Board of Governors of Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College , located in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is an independent elementary and secondary school for boys between Senior Kindergarten and Grade Twelve, operating under the International Baccalaureate program. The secondary school segment is divided into ten houses; eight are...
(UCC), from which he also graduated in 1974.
MacMillan also volunteers with organizations such as Toronto East General Hospital, the Canadian Club of Toronto and the Toronto International Film Festival.