Ottawa Film Office Taps CBC Alum as Film Commissioner

The Ottawa Film Office (OFO) has appointed CBC/Radio-Canada alum Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos as film commissioner, effective April 27.

Pechels de Saint Sardos brings more than 20 years of experience in development, production and distribution to the role. She has worked with companies such as Bejuba! Entertainment, TFO, CBC/Radio-Canada, Sony Music and Classic Media/DreamWorks.

As film commissioner, Pechels de Saint Sardos will be responsible for positioning Ottawa as an attractive and film-friendly production center to local, national and international production companies. She will support the development of the Soundstage Campus and Creative Hub, foster the growth of local talent and crew alongside post-secondary partners and private-sector entities, and maintain and strengthen the presence of Ottawa at provincial and national industry, promotional and regulator bodies.

“In Sandrine, we have a Film Commissioner who is excited and inspired by what Ottawa’s film, television, and animation industry has already accomplished, and where it is headed,” said Catherine Callary, chair of the OFO’s board of directors. “She comes to us with an international background, having studied and worked in Paris, New York, Toronto and Montréal, and has a vision that draws inspiration from all these places. Sandrine is bilingual and brings a depth of contacts and energy to the role. I think I can speak for the whole Ottawa Film Office Board of Directors when I say that we are inspired by the path forward that she charts for the organization.”

“Ottawa has so much potential in our industry, and that’s what inspired me to join the OFO and add to Ottawa’s successes,” Pechels de Saint Sardos said. “As a producer, you can find it all in Ottawa, and it can only improve, especially with the development of the Soundstage Campus and Creative Hub. I can’t wait to work with our local producers, crew and talents and help them shine even more. I also look forward to bringing international opportunities to position Ottawa as a bigger staple for the film and TV industry.”