opens

office in

Calgary

Vancouver: Los Angeles-based Hemdale Communications has announced the formation of a new Canadian subsidiary and the appointment of Tony Williams as president.

Williams, former ceo of Nova Entertainment, will head up Hemdale’s theatrical releasing, video distribution, acquisitions, film production and television licensing activities in Canada. Hemdale Canada opened late last month in Calgary.

According to Williams, Hemdale wants to make more films in Canada and wants a representative living in Canada so it can take a more hands-on approach.

‘My goal is to position the company as the major independent in Canadian film production and distribution,’ says Williams.

His first assignment will be to oversee the early 1994 theatrical release plans for the family adventure western Savage Land and the animated children’s feature The Princess and The Goblin as well as a number of other Hemdale features planned for release throughout the year.

As president and ceo of Calgary-based Nova Entertainment, which was purchased by Malofilm of Montreal in 1991, Williams steered one of Canada’s largest independent video distributors.

During Nova’s peak years, it represented Hemdale among other major independent film studios in Canada.

Williams says Hemdale chose Calgary as its Canadian headquarters because most of the films on its production slate are intended for production in Western Canada and because of its proximity to l.a.