Montreal: The French Program of the National Film Board has introduced a new theatrical release program called Les Week-ends de l’ONF.

The French Program’s entire 1997 slate, some 30 documentary and animation productions, is being screened this month at the 144-seat downtown Cinema onf on Saturdays and Sundays through to Nov. 30. A discussion period follows each screening.

French Program director Doris Girard says the block booking strategy for nfb’s theatrical releases, which replaces the single-release program, is partly a response to severe budget cuts as well as low attendance. The board has plans to promote its Week-ends screening program in other cities in the future, says Girard.

Week-ends de l’ONF documentary highlights include Anne Claire Poirier’s Tu as crie Let me Go, German Gutierrez’ Societes sous influence and Sylvie Van Brabant’s Seul dans mon putain d’univers on Nov. 22, Louis Ricard’s Odyssee sonore and Pierre Falardeau’s Pate Chinois Nov. 29, and Referendum – Prise deux/Take 2 Nov. 30.

The French Program has annual distribution revenues of close to $2 million, including $1 million in domestic sales, mainly from tv which makes up 70% of all domestic sales.