Jun 12, 2023

Pier 21 Films (Pier 21) officially confirmed industry veterans Vanessa Steinmetz and Nicole Butler have taken on the roles of Co-CEOs, cementing the company in its long term vision to expand its development and production slate, bringing Canadian projects to domestic and international audiences. With these appointments, Pier 21 becomes a fully female-led production company, with a dynamic and diverse lineup in the works. For more information on Pier 21 and the team click here.

The duo now leads all creative and business activities for the company, with Pier 21’s founder and award-winning industry staple, Laszlo Barna transitioning to the role of Chair. Steinmetz, a former SVP Production Finance at Entertainment One, oversees financing and business operations; and Butler, former COO with Pier 21, leads development and production activities.

“Vanessa and Nicole are visionary executives, and have been collaborators of mine for many years,” said Laszlo Barna. “Their international and domestic relationships and successful track records attract creatives who are telling some of our industry’s most diverse and unique stories. This new leadership transition marks a milestone in the evolution of our company, and the beginning of what will no doubt be another transformative chapter.”

Pier 21 is an established leader in Canada for half hour comedies. Current projects include the upcoming season three of Run the Burbs (starring Andrew Phung) for CBC, with the series recently picked up in the U.S. by CW; Late Bloomer, starring Jasmeet Raina for CRAVE, and the recently announced Indigenous comedy Don’t Even created by showrunner Amber-Sekowan Daniels, also for CRAVE.

“Over the past several years, we have seen the television landscape change immeasurably, and the importance of recognizing and supporting distinctive voices has never been more important. Our current slate is a testament to the incredible work being created in Canada,” said Vanessa Steinmetz. “I am enthusiastic about Pier 21’s growth and to work alongside Nicole as we move into this new iteration of the company.”

“Vanessa and I have a shared vision of showcasing brilliant, original creative stories. We’ve hit the ground running and have several exciting projects on the horizon for both domestic and US broadcasters,” said Nicole Butler. “We are constantly in admiration of the immense talent in our country and our doors are open for collaborative creators who are interested in telling meaningful and entertaining stories."

Steinmetz and Butler combined have worked on over 150 productions representing in excess of $3 billion in production spend across all genres and formats. Steinmetz’s previous work has brought to life high profile, internationally sold productions such as Cardinal, The Rookie, Private Eyes and Sharp Objects for premium networks and global streamers. Butler has served as an Executive Producer and Pier 21’s Chief Operating Officer since 2019. An exceptional producer of comedy, drama, documentary and lifestyle content, in both creative and business capacities, Butler previously held the role of Vice-President of Production at Entertainment One (eOne) and Barna-Alper Productions.

About Pier 21 Films

Established in 2011, Pier 21 Films is a prominent television production company dedicated to bringing exceptional Canadian content to the global market. With notable achievements such as three seasons of the acclaimed satirical news series The Beaverton for CTV, multiple seasons of CBC's Run The Burbs, and the upcoming productions Late Bloomer and Don’t Even for CRAVE, Pier 21 Films has consistently delivered the best in original entertainment.

At the helm of Pier 21 Films is a leadership team with an impressive, shared history of collaboration, spanning multiple decades. Their invaluable contributions have played a pivotal role in the success of numerous Canadian projects and an ever-expanding development slate. Driven by a shared vision, the team firmly believes in the immense potential of showcasing distinct Canadian voices on the global stage. Anchored in this belief, Pier 21 is dedicated to producing extraordinary, original stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.