NFB’s director general of English program steps down

July 11, 2012 by Kelly Anderson

Cindy Witten (pictured), who during her time at the National Film Board of Canada supported digital and doc projects including Waterlife, Payback and Pink Ribbons, has decided to leave to take on “new challenges in the digital sphere.”

In her four and a half years as director general of the NFB’s English program, Witten helped push the Film Board into the digital space, creating the first digital studio for the company.

Under her leadership, the digital studio produced Waterlife, Welcome to Pine Point, Bear 71 and God’s Lake Narrows, which have nabbed assorted awards, including four Webbys, a Digital Emmy and three Banff Rockies, among others.

The English program produced documentaries including Jennifer Baichwal’s Payback, Léa Pool’s Pink Ribbons, Inc., Charles Officer’s Mighty Jerome and Sarah Polley’s upcoming Stories We Tell.

Prior to joining the NFB, Witten was the VP of History Television, and a journalist/producer with the CBC.

Witten plans to work in the digital sphere and will be consulting for start-ups and other small digital companies. She will be leaving the NFB in mid-September.

“Cindy has been essential to our digital shift,” said Tom Perlmutter, government film commissioner. “She understood early what it would mean to create new kinds of works for the audiences of tomorrow, and she delivered works that remain the gold standard for interactive documentaries. Her passion and intelligence will be missed.”

“I have had a brilliant team and been privileged to work with many of the most talented artists, filmmakers, programmers/designers in the country. It has been inspiring and a lot of fun,” said Witten.

Tags: Cindy Witten, National Film Board of Canada, NFB

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