François N. Macerola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
François N. Macerola
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| Born | January 31, 1942 |
| Died | November 8, 2018 (aged 76) |
| Alma mater | Université de Montréal |
| Occupation | Lawyer, film executive |
| Years active | 1976–2018 |
François N. Macerola (born January 31, 1942 – died November 8, 2018) was a Canadian lawyer and a leader in the film industry. He worked in important roles at the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) and Telefilm Canada. These organizations help create and support Canadian films and TV shows.
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Early Life and Education
François Macerola was born in Montreal, Quebec. He went to the Université de Montréal. There, he earned a degree in arts in 1963. Later, in 1970, he earned a law degree. In 1971, he became a lawyer in Quebec. He then started working at a law firm.
Career in Film
Starting in Film
Macerola began his career in the film world in 1976. He became the director of the French Program at the National Film Board (NFB). The NFB is a famous Canadian film company. During this time, he worked to save money for the NFB. He made sure that filmmakers working for the French Program were not seen as permanent employees. This helped the NFB use more of its budget for making films.
Leading the NFB
In April 1979, Macerola was promoted. He became the assistant film commissioner. This meant he was the deputy leader of the NFB. In January 1984, the main commissioner stepped down. Macerola took over, first temporarily, then officially in May 1984.
As the new commissioner, one of his first jobs was to plan for the NFB's future. The Minister of Communications wanted the NFB to be a top place for making films and videos. The Minister also wanted it to be a national center for training and research in film.
Film Controversy
Macerola also dealt with a film controversy. This was about a 1982 film called The Kid Who Couldn't Miss. The film was about a fighter pilot named Billy Bishop. Even though the film was made before Macerola was commissioner, he had to answer questions about it. In 1985, he was asked if the film showed Bishop's life correctly.
Macerola decided not to remove the film. However, a note was added to the start of the film. This note explained that it was a drama-documentary, not a pure documentary. This helped clarify the film's style.
Later Career
In December 1988, Macerola left the NFB. He joined another company called Lavalin Communications. In 1991, he moved to Malofilm Distribution Limited. He was a vice president there until 1995.
Then, he joined Telefilm Canada. This is a government agency that helps fund Canadian films and TV. He was the executive director from 1995 to 2001. He also served as the chairman of the board from 2000 to 2002. After that, he worked as a lawyer for the Canadian government. Later, he joined the famous Cirque du Soleil. There, he was in charge of protecting the circus's ideas and creations.
Personal Life
François Macerola had two children, Stéphanie and Louis. He passed away on November 8, 2018, in Montreal, Quebec. He was 76 years old.
