OTTAWA, May 17, 2007 - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, today announced the appointment of Mr. Tom Perlmutter, of Montreal, as Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the National Film Board of Canada, effective June 11, 2007.
"Mr. Perlmutter brings a wealth of experience in the film industry. I look forward to his leadership at the Board," said Minister Oda.
Mr. Perlmutter has extensive experience in the film industry. He was director general of the National Film Board's English Program Branch since 2001. From 1999 to 2001, he was executive producer/partner of Primitive Entertainment. He was head of Creative Development at CineNova Productions from 1998 to 1999, and was director of documentaries at Barna-Alper Productions from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Perlmutter was executive director of Alliance for Children and Television from 1993 to 1995.
Between 1985 and 1993, he was an independent producer, director and writer, and he was the Toronto editor of Cinema Canada from 1983 to 1985. He worked as a writer, editor and educational publisher between 1973 and 1983.
Mr. Perlmutter has written extensively on film in England and Canada and has served as moderator or panellist on numerous industry panels and workshops, both domestically and internationally. He has spoken on a range of themes including issues of co-production, the nature of diversity in the film industry, science programming, technological innovation and socially innovative media
Created in 1939 by an Act of Parliament, the National Film Board has a mandate to produce and distribute distinctive, culturally diverse, challenging and relevant audiovisual works that provide Canada and the world with a unique Canadian perspective.
Information: Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
819 997-7788
