NFB Creates New Creation and Innovation Post

MONTREAL: The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) has named André Picard as director general of creation and innovation, a new management position.

In his new role, Picard will be responsible for developing an integrated long-term vision and ensuring strategic and business intelligence oversight, as well as developing value-added partnerships. The newly created position has been added to the structures of the NFB’s English and French programs, which will continue to work in parallel with their own staff.

Picard has 35 years of national and international experience in strategic planning, production, financing and technological development in audiovisual arts. He previously worked with the NFB’s French Program from 2002 to 2004, serving as director general.

“Our industry is constantly evolving, and our success depends on our ability to change and evolve,” said Claude Joli-Cœur, the government film commissioner and chairperson of the NFB. “Throughout its history as a public producer, the NFB has always succeeded in reinventing itself to stay engaging and relevant. André Picard possesses the leadership and experience to continue that change with our teams as well as with creators. With more than 35 years of national and international experience in numerous sectors linked to creation, production and distribution, André brings with him solid and diversified expertise that will enable us to measure up to the ambitions we have set for ourselves.”

Picard added: “I am very pleased to be the first to take up the challenge of this new position dedicated to creation and innovation. Under the strategic guidelines and 2015-2016 Action Plan, my role will be to accelerate the NFB’s evolution, enhance the relevance and impact of its works, engage it in sustained interactions with Canadians and the world, push the boundaries of technology for the benefit of art and citizens, and build new partnerships with companies, institutions and collaborators. The NFB’s employees as well as the recognized and emerging artists and artisans with whom the institution collaborates have consistently succeeded in reinterpreting and revitalizing its mission. I am proud to team up with them once again.”