The National Film Board’s distribution unit introduced a new acquisition policy for non-NFB product at MIPCOM 2002. The board intends to acquire non-Canadian product as well. ‘We’re up for business now,’ says Johanne St-Arnauld, director-general, distribution.

In its acquisition policy announcement, the NFB says it has decided to extend its coproduction activity with the private sector to distribution, leveraging its international sales network and expertise specifically in the areas of social-issue documentaries and experimental and auteur animation. The board says it’s been approached by many private-sector program suppliers, both in Canada and abroad.

The NFB is promoting its worldwide network of more than 400 distributors and agents located in 90 countries with direct participation in more than 16 industry markets and 250 film festivals yearly.

The board is looking to acquire Canadian and foreign documentaries and animated films (either one-offs or series) based on an evaluation of the production’s marketability and commercial sales potential and general pertinence to the NFB’s collection and mandate. Distribution will be consistent with the terms and conditions standard within the industry, with no provisions for up-front guarantees or advances, says the NFB. Decisions will be provided within four to six weeks.

Attending her first major product market on behalf of the NFB, St-Arnauld met with many U.S. distributors and broadcasters at MIPCOM, including Showtime, Sundance Channel, Hallmark, Bravo!, Oxygen, Starz Encore, Discovery Digital Networks, Films for the Humanities, Sesame Street Workshops, Animal Planets and Outdoor Life (PBS).

St-Arnauld, former international relations director with Telefilm Canada, is also responsible for international presales, and provides input to the NFB’s coproduction unit.

Top NFB titles at MIPCOM included the docs Bollywood Bound, McLuhan’s Wake and Hoffman’s Potion, and the holiday animation Noel Noel.

The NFB has international sales offices in New York and Paris. New senior sales staff include former Hallmark (New York) and TVA International representative Heather Wyer, manager, North American sales based in Montreal, and Christina Rogers, U.S. sales agent based in the L.A. office.