Film Development Corp. CEO Resigns

The chief executive officer of the Nova Scotia Film Development Corp. is resigning from the corporation, effective Jan. 15. Anne-Marie Varner, CEO since 1996, is leaving to pursue opportunities in independent production.

"The last two years have been very exciting ones for me," said Ms. Varner. "The Nova Scotia Film Development Corp. has undergone a transformation, and the industry has grown almost 150 per cent. The corporation is now supporting more than $100 million in Nova Scotia production. This seems like a good time to move on."

The Nova Scotia Film Development Corp. has been active in promoting the province's production expertise around the world and in developing new programs to support Nova Scotia producers.

Ms. Varner was instrumental in the development of the Film Industry Training Program and the creation, with MT&T, of an $800,000 New Media Innovation Fund to support content development in new media industries. New media includes computer animation, CD-ROMs, the Internet and video games.

"Anne-Marie has made a strong contribution to the growth and development of the corporation and the film industry," said Bonita Kirby, chair of the corporation's board of directors. "The board thanks her for her efforts and wishes her well in her new endeavours."

The corporation's director of finance, Ann MacKenzie, will assume the role of acting CEO while the board recruits a permanent head.