Handel Productions is one of Canada’s leading producers of factual television drama-documentaries and animated CGI specials. Our reputation is built on a history of great storytelling, and creating innovative and entertaining factual television. We are very active in international co-production and work with some of the best companies in the UK and around the world.
Handel Productions produces some of the most ambitious and innovative CGI factual specials on television. These include Journey to the Edge of the Universe, Who Sank the Titanic as well as two seasons of the Naked Science TV series. Our current projects Earth: The Story of a Planet, and the 3D spectacular Last Day of the Dinosaurs will show our continuing commitment to being a key player in creating world-class CGI.
2005’s How William Shatner Changed the World, used a mix of comedy and science, and won a Gemini Award as well as getting nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Handel Productions has worked with broadcasters worldwide, including: CBC, Discovery Channel Canada, CTV, Global Television, Discovery Channel US, Nation Geographic Channel US, Bravo US, The History Channel US, PBS, NBC, ARTE France, BBC, Channel Five UK, ZDF, Discovery Channel International and many other major networks.
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Alan HandelPresident, Executive ProducerOne of Canada's leading producers of factual television, and an award-winning documentary filmmaker. His films have been broadcast on CBC, SRC, CTV, Canal D, Discovery Channel Canada, Discovery International, Global Television, The History Channel, Bravo US, Channel Five UK, PBS, BBC, ZDF, ARTE, and many other major networks around the world.
From 1974 to 1985, Alan worked at the CBC as a television producer on The Journal, The Fifth Estate, Man Alive, Quebec Report, Decision and a number of specials. He was Senior Producer of CBC Television Current Affairs in Quebec during its first historic “Referendum”.
In 1985, Handel Productions Inc. was formed. He now heads the company and acts as executive producer in all its productions and co-productions.
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André BarroVice President, Executive ProducerAndré Barro is best known for his work on international documentary productions. Before joining Handel Productions, André oversaw the development and production of several hundred hours worth of high-quality television programming. He supervised productions brought to life by creators based in Montreal, Toronto, London, Paris and has over 15 years of experience in International co-productions.
Series such as Insectia, Mayday, Jonestown, True Crime Scene, Crash of the Century, MadLab and Killers Cults were developed and produced under his leadership. They received critical acclaim along with numerous awards, and were broadcasted in over 130 different countries, notably on National Geographic (USA, INTERNATIONAL), Discovery (CAN, USA, INTERNATIONAL), France 2, France 3, France 5, M6 (FR), FIVE, Living, BSKY (UK), ASTRAL, SRC (CAN), Prosiben (GERMANY), Mediaset (ITALY).
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Léon G. ArcandHead of ProductionAn established producer and an experienced hand at treaty co-production, Léon joined Handel Productions in 2007.
Before then he was a Producer at Cineflix where he supervised productions including: Mayday (2 & 3), Ten Days to Victory, Dog Fights Over Guadalcanal, and Madlab. He also spent time at Cine-Groupe, where he produced Sagwa the Siamese Cat, and Seriously Weird.
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Irene CarterHead of Business AffairesA member of Handel Productions since 2003. Before then, Irene was officer and shareholder of Wishmaker Films, a Montreal-based boutique production company that produced and consultant with clients throughout Canada and the US.
Irene has been involved in numerous other productions including: When Justice Fails, The Ultimate Weapon, The Lost World, Life in the Balance, Artificial Lies, and Nowhere in Sight.
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Nicola MinottiHead of FinanceNicola’s career in the industry began a little over 20 years ago. In addition to his responsibility as Head of Finance with a number of production and distribution companies operating at an international level, Nicola has also been Associate Head of Production and Head of Business Affairs.
Some of the productions he has been involved in are Sirens, The Hunger (series), The Lost World (series) and Mémoires affectives.
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Handel Productions ShareholdersAlan Handel
See above
Daniel Rabinowicz
A prominent figure in advertising and marketing, In 2004 Dan joined TAXI, a leading Canadian agency, as partner and President, Montreal office, as well as founding investor in start-up New York office. In 2008, he moved to New York office as President.
Dan has held positions at various other top agencies across North America, including: Vickers & Benson (then Ronalds-Reynolds) and J. Walter Thompson.
Dan has also worked at Cossette, Canada’s largest agency, for 17 years, rising to President of the Montreal office and Co-President of Toronto office.
Dan continues to be a shareholder and board member of TAXI and Handel Productions.
Dr. Irving Dylewski
As well as having a distinguished career in medicine, which has seen him hold positions as director of the Intensive Care Unit and Chief of the Department of Medicine at the Reddy Memorial Hospital, Irving is an investor and director of numerous companies across Canada.
Along with his investment in Handel Productions, Irving is an investor and director at Equirex Leasing and has invested in numerous other ventures, including: MRRI, a Ontario hazardous waste recycling company, and Nymox Pharmaceuticals, a Canadian biotech research company.
Irving is an MD and MBA from McGill University.