montreal: After 15 years in operation, commercial production house Films 24 has closed its doors. A division of Cleo 24, headed by president Charles Ohayon, the house had attracted many talented directors and producers over the years including Nicole Giroux, now head of electronic production at Cossette Communication-Marketing, Montreal, and Sylvie Dube, who held shares in the company.

Dube and three ex-Films 24 directors have joined up with Figaro Films International, a commercial production house launched in the fall of 1992.

‘We were looking to add another producer to the team and we think Sylvie is a great acquisition. The timing is right,’ says Benoit Perriau, Figaro executive producer and vice-president. Dube will executive produce with Figaro.

Figaro now has four producers including company president Michel Sarao and Pierre Caumartin.

Films 24 directors joining Figaro are Gil Cope, who directed the fast-paced Sports Experts pool; Monic Richard, director of the award-winning Yoplait Minimo spot ‘Les Muscles’; and David McNally, who recently directed the slick ‘Y’a pas de mal a se faire du bien’ spot for Nautilus Plus.

Rounding out the lineup of staff directors are Cosimo Cavallaro, Claude Brie, director/ dop Richard Ciupka and director/dop Glenn Bydwell, who’s represented in English Canada by Radke Films.

Charles Biname, Lynn Charlebois and Michel David also worked out of Films 24. All three have found new addresses. Biname and Charlebois will work out of Cinelande, while David has signed with Jet Film.