Tom Perlmutter has been tapped as the next chairman of the National Film Board and Government Film Commissioner, moving up from head of the board’s English Program to succeed Jacques Bensimon.

Heritage Minister Bev Oda announced the appointment on Thursday in a statement that praised Perlmutter’s tenure at the NFB, in particular his work in animation and documentaries.

I am passionate about the National Film Board,’ said Perlmutter, ‘It is, I think, one of the most vital cultural institutions in the world today.’ He starts June 11.

Perlmutter joined the NFB in 2001 and has produced docs including Diameter of the Bomb and Game Over: Kasparov and the Machine. He was previously head of documentaries at Barna-Alper Productions, where he created and produced the award-winning Turning Points of History series.