NFBC Names Michael Fukushima Executive Producer Of English Program Animation Studio
Skwigly
Michael Fukushima has been named Executive Producer of the National Film Board of Canada’s acclaimed English Program Animation Studio in Montreal.
Michael Fukushima has been making films since 1984. He first joined the NFB in 1990, directing the Hot Docs-award-winning animated documentary Minoru: Memory of Exile, and he became an NFB animation producer in 1997. Fukushima led the creation of the NFB’s flagship emerging filmmaker program, Hothouse, and his credits reflect an eclecticism and diversity, particularly evident in the abstract and edgier animation he has produced. Fukushima has worked hard to open up the genre to new creators, new audiences and new technologies, through interactive installations, mobile phones and urban stories.
“I have high regard for Michael’s considerable experience, his expert reflections on our animation history and his thoughtful, progressive ideas for the future,” said NFB English Program Director General Ravida Din, in making the announcement. “I believe his leadership will advance the NFB’s profile as a global leader in animation, and I’ve been especially impressed with Michael’s commitment to finding and encouraging creators and team members with diverse experiences. The Hothouse program—now in its ninth edition—is an NFB success story and a testament to his dedication to emerging creators.”
Fukushima’s notable films as NFB producer include Patrick Doyon’s Jutra Award-winning, Oscar-nominated Sunday/Dimanche (2011), Oscar-nominated filmmaker Koji Yamamura’s Muybridge’s Strings/Les cordes de Muybridge (2011), recipient of a Special Prize at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival and the Best Canadian Film or Video Award at Reel Asian; Ann Marie Fleming’s adaptation of Bernice Eisenstein’s acclaimed illustrated memoir, I Was a Child of Holocaust Survivors (2010);Shira Avni’s animated documentary Tying Your Own Shoes (2009), winner of the Golden Dove at Dok Leipzig and the prestigious NHK Japan Prize; Iriz Pääbo’s HA’Aki (2008), recipient of the Prix Ars Electronica Golden Nica 2009; as well as Chris Hinton’s Genie Award-winning visual-music short, cNote (2004).