Handling joined the Toronto International Film Festival in 1982, replaced
Helga Stephenson as programmer in 1987, and became CEO and executive director in 1994. During his tenure, TIFF became one of the biggest
film festivals in the world, with its own permanent downtown home and film hub in
TIFF Lightbox, which screens films and holds various events year-round. In 2003, Handling was named CEO of the Year by the Canadian Public Relations Society. Handling was succeeded by
Joana Vicente in November 2018. ==Recognition==