The National Film Board of Canada’s (NFB) long-serving head of sales and market development Christina Rogers (pictured) has left the company after more than a decade, Playback sister publication realscreen has learned, to join Magnolia Pictures.

It is understood that LA-based Rogers, who joined the NFB in September 2002, bid farewell to the Canadian company on Friday (March 1) to join Magnolia as head of international sales.

An NFB spokesperson told realscreen that Mary Graziano would serve as interim head of sales, while Chanelle Routhier, the NFB’s manager of sales and market development, would take on Rogers’ U.S. and international sales responsibilities while the organization decided whether to replace Rogers or restructure her position.

“In Chanelle, we have a very seasoned agent,” the spokesperson said. “She’s worked for the NFB for many years, she’s known the international market for many years, and she worked very closely with Christina for a long time.”

At Magnolia, Rogers replaces Laird Adamson, who held the head of international sales position for six years before departing from the distributor last September to become head of international for Bravado, the merchandising and licensing division of Universal Music Group.

Among her recent deals for the NFB – where she also held the title of head of U.S., Latin America and worldwide theatrical sales during her tenure – Rogers negotiated the agreement last fall to sell U.S. theatrical rights for Sarah Polley’s multi-award-winning doc Stories We Tell to Roadside Attractions.

Magnolia, meanwhile, most recently picked up the rights to buzzy Sundance doc Blackfish, in a joint deal that also saw CNN taking U.S. TV rights.

Rogers and Magnolia could not be reached for comment at press time.