Monique Simard is the new president and CEO of the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), the Quebec-based cultural government agency.

With the announcement of the departure of the former Director General of the National Film Board’s French Program (2008-2013), the NFB’s Tom Perlmutter, Government Film Commissioner and NFB Canada Chair, offered his praise.

“Monique Simard’s presence on the NFB team helped our organization strengthen its creative leadership,” Perlmutter said in a statement. “Her legendary energy combined with her extensive experience in the production and film industry will benefit not only the SODEC but the entire creative sector in Quebec.”

Appointed as the head of the NFB French Program in 2008, Simard’s accomplishments included bringing back the Filmmakers in Residence program, establishing the interactive studio, creating a program for young Aboriginal filmmakers, encouraging French-language production in Canada and producing acclaimed works: Vincent Morisset’s BLA BLA; David Dufresne’s Fort McMoney and Patrick Doyon’s 2012 Oscar-nominated animated film Sunday among them.

Colette Loumède, NFB Executive Producer, has been appointed as interim Director General, with the NFB beginning the search for a new Director General next month.