Post-Katrina project When the Levees Broke wins grand prize and best social doc at U.S- and U.K-dominated awards gala

The acclaimed mob drama’s puzzling final episode brings The Movie Network a record audience

Short film channel agrees to provide content to the still-developing online TV service

Thesps from Human Trafficking and The Tournament lead the list of winners at the annual performers’ fete

Tom Perlmutter has been director-general of English programming at the National Film Board since 2001. Renowned as a clear-headed administrator and crucial creative force in the team that former NFB commissioner Jacques Bensimon assembled, many see Perlmutter as the natural successor for the post. Prior to starting his five-year term as the NFB’s 15th commissioner on June 11, he sat down with Playback to discuss his vision for the board and the challenges he faces.

No objections here to a couple of flashy new imports in CBC’s fall offering of scripted shows, so long as the network doesn’t neglect its homegrowns.

Nine Canadian industry icons including Norman Jewison and Moses Znaimer have been inducted into the first annual Canadian Film and Television Hall of Fame, announced by Playback publisher Peter Vamos on June 6.

YOU won’t find the CBC on a multimillion-dollar spending spree for U.S. product, but this year’s fall lineup has media buyers lauding the pubcaster for the breadth of its primetime offerings, from returning comedy to new reality and family fare.

CTV previewed a schedule heavy on drama June 4, revealing a 2007/08 lineup that includes 16 returning hits and seven new U.S. pickups, including six dramas and one sitcom. In comparison, the net acquired four dramas and three comedies last year.

Traditionally, unless your actors speak French or your name is Sarah Polley, few Canadians will seek out your homegrown movie at the local multiplex, least of all during summer. And yet, Away from Her is standing up to Spidey, Shrek and Jack Sparrow, and Telefilm boss Wayne Clarkson thinks Canadian-mades could again break the 5% mark at the box office by the end of 2007. So we ask the regular, moviegoing public:

Pierre DesRoches, former executive director of Telefilm Canada, has died of cancer. The veteran broadcaster, who steered the federal agency through a notably fruitful period from 1988 to 1994, passed away on May 24 in Longueuil, QU. He was 75.

• Bill Nemtim is now executive producer of the World Congress of History Producers, having joined Achilles Media, the event management company that runs the annual conference.