NFB, NHK in creative copro pact

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) and Japanese pubcaster NHK have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) forming the basis for a “creative laboratory” of future coproduction.

The agreement builds on a 2003 MOU that brought the two organisations together to collaborate on “innovative and socially relevant” coproductions.

The new move lays the foundation for the co-development of flagship projects, including high-definition as well as stereoscopic productions, drawing on the expertise of the NFB and NHK in these fields. The two public bodies will explore themes of common interest in environmental and social issues, working across multiple platforms.

In addition, the MOU provides for exchanges and public programmess to celebrate the 70th and 50th anniversaries of the NFB and NHK, respectively.

The agreement was signed in Tokyo yesterday by government film commissioner and NFB chairman Tom Perlmutter and NHK president Shigeo Fukuchi, in the presence of the Canadian ambassador to Japan, Jonathan Fried.

“This MOU represents something radically new in the world of international coproductions and partnerships,” said Perlmutter. “We are moving away from a traditional coproduction model to one where we come together to establish a creative laboratory that can take the programming risks that are not possible in the normal course of business.

“We are extending the NFB model of prototyping and testing new ways of creation, often with new technologies, into the international sphere. And there is no better partner than NHK, one of the world’s great public institutions, committed – like the NFB – to innovation and delivering value to its citizens.”

Fukuchi said: “The NHK and NFB share common values as public organisations with a goal to better the world. With NFB’s substantial initiatives towards community outreach and their vision and strategy for cross-media, as well as their creativity in programming, NHK is happy to be able to partner with such a dignified organisation to learn and share ideas.”