The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (Canadian Academy) – Quebec Section has appointed the Bell Fund’s Chantal Côté (pictured) as executive director, effective immediately.

The announcement was made Monday (Aug. 21) by Caroline Gaudette, president of the Canadian Academy’s Quebec board of directors.

Côté replaces Mara Gourd-Mercado, who departed the role earlier this year to take a position at CPH:DOX as head of industry and training.

In her new role, Côté brings some 20 years of experience in the digital and television spaces. In addition to her recent time as of deputy director (Montreal) at the Bell Fund, she was also senior head of digital services for the Radio-Canada specialty channels Ici ARTV and Ici Explora.

She also worked at Astral, where she was a digital advisor for Z Télé, as well as for TVA where she held the position of head of digital services. Prior to that she worked at Canoe for several years as a culture journalist and manager of the arts and entertainment section.

“Chantal Côté has distinguished herself by her rich experience, particularly in the television industry and the field of digital media, as well as by her commitment to the Academy for many years,” said Gaudette in a statement announcing the hire. “Her authenticity, her dynamism, her accurate reading of the issues of the Academy, her vast cultural knowledge and her exceptional leadership will play an essential role in meeting the important challenges of our organization.”

Photo by XN Québec