The National Film Board is eliminating four positions in Winnipeg, while adding two to its overall operations in the Prairies.

The changes, revealed on Tuesday by English-language boss Cindy Witten, are part of a reorganization aimed at broadening the board’s reach in the region.

The NFB says it will open a small office in Saskatchewan and maintain ‘a strong presence’ as a producer in Winnipeg. But in order to reduce costs, it will also consolidate its administrative duties with the Edmonton office, resulting in the loss of four full-time jobs. (Know more? Email us!) The NFB’s Prairie operations include Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nunavut. Alberta belongs to its Northwest territory.

The Prairies will add two producers skilled in multi-platform projects, likely to be posted in Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, says Witten.

‘The kind of producers we’re looking for need to have very specific skills. So I’m kind of letting finding the right people dictate how we’re going to staff things,’ she tells Playback Daily. ‘But we’ll certainly have someone half-time in Saskatchewan and I hope full-time.’ The exact staffing situation in Winnipeg remains unclear — the office is moving to a smaller space — but will include a ‘key marketing’ rep and a producer, she says.

Witten says production levels in the Prairies will be maintained ‘and very likely increase’ as new talent and ideas are cultivated .

‘The NFB has set ambitious goals for itself in terms of creative and organizational renewal,’ she added. ‘This is about putting less money into infrastructure and more into digital expertise and programming.’

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