The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) has appointed Prospector Films founder John Christou as director of operations for NFB’s English production branch. Christou, who takes over the role from Stéphanie L’Écuyer, will oversee production on NFB’s five English-language studios across Canada as of Jan. 28 and reports to Michelle Van Beusekom executive director, programming and production for English-language projects.

L’Écuyer has taken on the role of director of operations for NFB’s French programs from outgoing director Jocelyne Perrier, who departed in Oct. 2018. She stepped in to the role in Nov. 2018. L’Écuyer has been with NFB since 2007, when she joined as a legal advisor. NFB recently appointed Nathalie Cloutier as executive producer of its French-language program Documentary Studio. L’Écuyer reports to Michelle Belanger French-language executive director, programming and production.

Christou has produced 10 films under Prospector, with his latest, Jeff Barnaby’s zombie flick Blood Quantum, recently wrapping production in Montreal. Before Prospector, Christou worked as head of development and business affairs at EyeSteelFilms.

Clarification (Jan. 31): The original headline of this story did not include the word “operations” and has been amended as such.