The National Film Board of Canada continues to innovate - NFB proposes a major, global documentary initiative to engage audiences

MONTREAL, April 30, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The NFB is driving an initiative to launch a new international multiplatform destination (Web, connected TV, mobile devices) for viewing and engaging with the world's best auteur documentaries, one that will give audiences privileged access to documentary creators and subjects. Available by subscription, the service will include the new forms of interactive documentary and will feature content that is curated, bilingual and eventually multilingual. It will launch in 2014 with an initial rollout in North America and Europe.

Despite the wealth of material available on the Web, there is a demonstrable demand for high-quality auteur documentaries of all kinds. Audiences for documentary festivals like Hot Docs and IDFA are growing as people increasingly search for meaningful content to deepen their understanding of the world around them, while overall viewing on digital platforms online and on mobile devices continues to grow rapidly as well.

Currently, there is only a very limited existing service that provides documentary audiences with a focused, coherent way of accessing the great work that is being produced worldwide. This new NFB service will do exactly that, by offering audiences a curated, customized experience. Documentary and subject experts will guide viewers through the maze of documentary offerings. Audiences will be able to create and share their own annotated playlists. Equally important is a platform that will privilege the work of documentary creators.

"As one of the most important world centres for documentary, we have a responsibility to audiences here and around the world, and to the documentary community, to respond to those needs," noted Tom Perlmutter, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the National Film Board of Canada. He added, "Based on our success with NFB.ca, we are taking advantage of our technological infrastructure, our unique expertise in documentary content and our network of international partners to offer this innovative experience for documentary creators and audiences."

Prestigious partners

As the initiator and promoter of this project, the NFB will take advantage of its existing investments (in digital platforms, systems, infrastructure, content development) and expertise. "We are acting as a catalyst. We will be implementing and developing this service in co-operation with prestigious national and international partners.

"We are convinced that this new service will be an enormous boon to the global documentary community. It will build audiences, enable documentary creators and filmmakers to be connected more directly and almost instantaneously with their audiences, and serve as a commissioner of original documentary programming," concluded Perlmutter.

About the NFB

The National Film Board of Canada is a world leader in groundbreaking interactive works, social-issue documentaries and auteur animation, engaging audiences with innovative and immersive experiences. The NFB has created over 13,000 productions and won over 5,000 awards, including 6 Webbys, 12 Oscars and more than 90 Genies. To access acclaimed NFB content, visit NFB.ca or download its apps for smartphones, tablets and connected TV.

SOURCE: NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA

Melissa Than, NFB Publicist
Tel.: [phone]
Cell: 647-248-9854
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @NFB_Melissa

Lily Robert, Director, Corporate Communications, NFB
Tel.: [phone]
Cell: 514-296-8261
E-mail: [email protected]