Statement by the NFB Commissioner on the death of Mr. Rock Demers.
PRESS RELEASE
18/08/2021
August 18, 2021 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mr. Rock Demers, a highly respected figure who inspired the young and young-at-heart and fuelled the imaginations of audiences far and wide—both in Canada and around the world.
One of Canada’s greatest producers, Rock Demers was also a mentor for an entire generation of artists, craftspeople, filmmakers and producers, helping them forge brilliant careers that remain influential to this day. He was a trailblazer in the art of telling stories featuring scrappy, inventive kids, and he put youth centre stage in our film industry, whether at the Montreal International Film Festival or through his prolific production house.
Mr. Demers sat on the NFB’s Executive Committee for three years, bringing to the position a vitality and vision commensurate with his experience and dedication.
We will remember him as a great producer who was passionate and determined, bursting with energy and imagination.
His work and his memory will endure and live on.
On behalf of the entire NFB, I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Claude Joli-Coeur
Government Film Commissioner and NFB Chairperson
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French version here | Version française ici.
Media Relations
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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.