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The National Film Board of Canada honours the legacy of editor and filmmaker Monique Fortier

PRESS RELEASE
27/08/2025

Monique Fortier. Image taken from the Making Movie History series.

August 27, 2025 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) wishes to highlight the exceptional contribution to Canadian cinema of distinguished editor and filmmaker Monique Fortier, who passed away on August 18 at the age of 97. Her rich career spanned more than 40 years at the NFB.

The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, October 21, at the chapel of the Mount Royal Funeral Complex (visitations from 9 to 11 a.m., service from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.).

Quote

“Monique Fortier was a pioneer who paved the way for women in the filmmaking industry. Her filmmaking skills made her an outstanding editor, contributing to the development of Direct Cinema and to the success of some of the NFB’s most acclaimed films. Her inspiring legacy deserves to be celebrated.” – Suzanne Guèvremont, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the NFB

Quick Facts 

  • The next year, Fortier directed La beauté même, starring Monique Miller. One of the first films made by a woman about women.
  • She next devoted herself to editing, becoming a key figure in the field in Quebec and Canada. She edited many important films produced or co-produced by the NFB, including:

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Version française ici.

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  • About the NFB

    For more than 80 years, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) has produced, distributed and preserved those stories, which now form a vast audiovisual collection—an important part of our cultural heritage that represents all Canadians.

    To tell these stories, the NFB works with filmmakers of all ages and backgrounds, from across the country. It harnesses their creativity to produce relevant and groundbreaking content for curious, engaged and diverse audiences. The NFB also collaborates with industry experts to foster innovation in every aspect of storytelling, from formats to distribution models.

    Every year, another 50 or so powerful new animated and documentary films are added to the NFB’s extensive collection of more than 14,000 titles, half of which are available to watch for free on nfb.ca.

    Through its mandate, its stature and its productions, the NFB contributes to Canada’s cultural identity and is helping to build the Canada of tomorrow.