Tributes pour in for doc maker Peter Wintonick

The international documentary community is in mourning following the news veteran industry figure Peter Wintonick has died aged 60.

Wintonick, a popular face in international factual circles thanks to his involvement in numerous trade festivals and projects and vociferous support of indie production, was reported to be battling advanced stage liver cancer on Friday. He subsequently went into palliative care and passed away yesterday at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital.

Tributes immediately began flooding in, with the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), whose events he was a regular at, tweeting: “Our dear friend and colleague Peter Wintonick has passed away. We will miss him immensely.”

Heather Croall, director of Sheffield Doc/Fest added: “RIP Peter Wintonick. Long live Peter Wintonick.”

Canadian indie doc body Telefilm Canada’s Carolle Brabant issued a statement, saying his “films had a major impact in Canada and were seen in hundreds of other countries, winning numerous awards. His long career allowed us to appreciate the scope of his talent, and his work is now a valued part of our cultural heritage.”

“On behalf of the entire Telefilm Canada team, I offer my sincere condolences to Peter Wintonick’s family and loved ones.”

Wintonick was the co-director of acclaimed 1992 doc Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media and helmed others such as pilgrIMAGE and China Heavyweight. EyeSteelFilm has stepped in the finish his last film, Be Here Now, and is taking donations via this webpage to complete financing on the project.

London-based doc distributor Dogwoof tweeted: “All thinking of Peter Wintonick today in the Dogwoof office,” while the Toronto International Film Festival’s artistic director Cameron Bailey added: “Sage, conspirator, master of non-fiction cinema – R.I.P. Peter Wintonick.”