Montreal: Quebec Culture and Communications Minister Louise Beaudoin has requested a formal review of sodec’s investment in the Montreal World Film Festival. The agency, which reports to the minister, has asked for wide industry participation in the review, which sodec president Pierre Lampron says is not directed against wff topper Serge Losique.

WFF ’98 again drew large public audiences for screenings this year, however, the festival’s industry and markets components did not fare as well and were widely criticized for general underachievement.

Telefilm Canada executive director Francois Macerola says the agency would be willing to assist in a review process, but a spokesman for the federal funding agency says there will be no formal participation without a ‘mandate’ from Canadian Heritage.