After much anticipation, Jacques Bensimon has been appointed the next government film commissioner and chairman of the National Film Board, as appointed by the Heritage Minister Sheila Copps.

Bensimon will retain his position as executive vice-president of the Banff Television Foundation until June 15, the final day of the festival, and will take on his new order the following week.

‘I sensed that there was only one job in Canada that would tear Jacques away from us, and that is the one he’s accepted,’ says Banff president and CEO Pat Ferns. ‘It’s a happy day for Jacques, for the NFB and for Canada. We wish him well and we shall miss him.’

Bensimon’s filmmaking career began when he was hired by the NFB in Montreal in 1967. Almost 20 years later, he moved to Toronto where he became the first program director and eventually managing director of TFO.

In 1994, the French government sought his recommendations as an advisor for the establishment of France’s first educational network.

After 14 years at TVOntario, Bensimon accepted his current position with the BTF and moved his family to Western Canada.

‘Jacques has demonstrated the foundation’s need for a chief operating officer and the task of finding his successor [has begun],’ says Ferns. *