April 29, 2014 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is pleased to announce that René Chénier has been appointed Executive Producer, Special Projects. In this capacity, he will be responsible for developing productions that offer unique creative content, through innovative partnerships with major organizations in the public and private sectors in Canada and internationally. From 2006 until now, René has served as Executive Producer of the NFB French Animation Studio. In his new role, he will report to Assistant Commissioner Claude Joli-Coeur, the Acting Government Film Commissioner and NFB Chairperson.
René Chénier is joining the Office of the Assistant Commissioner and Corporate Services, which Julie Huguet is also returning to as Head, Projects. Julie will continue to manage larger-scale projects such as Unikkausivut: Sharing Our Stories, an ongoing initiative showcasing the NFB's Inuit audiovisual legacy; the partnership with Canada Post for the NFB's 75th anniversary; and certain commemorations marking Canada's major events, such as the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Every year, the NFB helps to commemorate major Canadian historical events by producing and co-producing outstanding works that enrich Canada's audiovisual heritage. In 2015, the NFB will be working with other partners on projects to mark the 375th anniversary of the founding of Montreal, the 50th anniversary of the Montreal World Fair and the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
Quick Facts
• In the course of his career as Executive Producer at the NFB French Animation Studio, René Chénier has overseen the production of some 100 short films—including international co-productions—that have garnered numerous awards in Canada and abroad.
• Two of his most notable productions were Facing Champlain: A Work in 3 Dimensions, created for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City, and Impressions/Glimpses, projected on a huge panoramic screen at the Canadian pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai in China.
• René Chénier has also produced several 3D films for the NFB, including ORA (2011), directed by Philippe Baylaucq, which was the world's first film to be shot using infrared cameras. This film has received many awards, including the Lumière award from the International 3D Society in 2013.
• René also independently produced Philippe Baylaucq's award-winning musical fantasy film Hugo and the Dragon (2001).
• In addition, René has collaborated on the production of several feature-length fiction films, such as Benoît Pilon's Ce qu'il faut pour vivre (The Necessities of Life), which garnered several awards and was a semi-finalist in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 2008 Academy Awards.
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Pat Dillon
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About the NFB
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) creates groundbreaking interactive works, social-issue documentaries and auteur animation. The NFB has produced over 13,000 productions and won over 5,000 awards, including 9 Canadian Screen Awards, 8 Webbys, 12 Oscars and more than 90 Genies. To access acclaimed NFB content, visit NFB.ca or download its apps for smartphones, tablets and connected TV.
