Parting words from Pennefather

When Joan Pennefather made one of her final public appearances as chair of the National Film Board at a breakfast in Toronto Nov. 16, she laid out the basic guiding principles that she believes will secure the public producer’s role in the future.

Number one is a commitment to point-of-view documentary and ‘innovative’ animation production, thereby leaving the creation of commercial animation and non-pov docs to the private sector. The decision to no longer hire staff on a permanent basis is also a key issue, as is the nfb’s relationship with the private production community.

Pennefather says although the nfb suggested the Independent Co-Production Program be eliminated if the 5% program review cuts come down in February, the decision does not reflect the film board’s position on coproductions.

In place of icp, Pennefather says a new coproduction policy will be created. ‘The coproduction program was coming to an end anyway, and it was diminishing (as part of a dividend cut).’ she says. ‘If we just let it sit there, I don’t think we would be facing our responsibilities to have a solid coproduction program.’

Instead, the nfb is looking into developing internal coproduction policies that Pennefather says will be ‘much more effective and more secure.’

Consultations with independent producers began the evening of Pennefather’s Toronto talk at the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television breakfast, starting with the Association des producteurs de films et de television du Quebec. Pennefather expects a coproduction policy will be in place by the time February’s budget is announced.

In the final weeks before her departure from the board Dec. 19 to head up the National Arts Centre, Pennefather has been asked by Canadian Heritage Minister Michel Dupuy to meet with officials from the National Screen Institute, the Canadian Film Centre and other film training organizations. She says this is not indicative that Dupuy is seriously considering the Secor study’s recommendation that the nfb be turned into a film school, but reflects instead Dupuy’s interest in developing a federal policy for film training.

A replacement for Pennefather is expected to be announced within the next few weeks. Rumors have Wayne Clarkson of the Canadian Film Centre, David Silcox, Patrick Watson and former nfber Michelle d’Auray in the running for the job.