Governor of Massachusetts issues citation to Film Producer's Association of Newfoundland 
during trade mission to Boston

A citation from Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift to the Film Producer's Association of Newfoundland (PAN) was announced last night at a screening of the Newfoundland and Labrador film Violet during the province's first cultural industries trade mission to Boston. The mission is part of the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development's ongoing New England Trade and Investment Initiative.

The citation recognizes the work of the Film Producer's Association of Newfoundland and the Massachusetts Film Office: "�in recognition of the longstanding cultural and historical ties between Massachusetts and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Film Producer's Association of Newfoundland and increasing and ongoing efforts to coordinate and collaborate and mutually embrace film industries in their respective lands."

Ken Pittman, Red Ochre Productions; John Vatcher, Plain Sight Pictures; and Heather Tibbo, Film Producer's Association of Newfoundland, were present for the announcement and film screening.

"This type of recognition from the governor speaks highly of the Film Producer's Association of Newfoundland and the work it is doing here in the New England area, particularly with the Massachusetts Film Office," said Mr. Pittman. "We are very excited about this citation and the response we've received from the film industry here this week."

The announcement was made last night in front of film industry representatives who attended a screening of the film Violet, produced by Dark Flowers Productions and starring Mary Walsh and Peter MacNeill. 

The Film Producer's Association of Newfoundland was established in 1989 to represent the needs and concerns of independent film and video producers in Newfoundland and Labrador to foster the growth of the province's local production industry. PAN's membership of about 40, includes producers working on feature films, television programs and documentaries, as well as those whose main focus is the production of television commercials and industrial videos.

The Massachusetts Film Office is a state-funded organization, similar to the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation. Its mandate is to foster growth of the Massachusetts film industry.

The cultural industries trade mission to Boston is taking place from November 6-8, having been postponed from September 17, following the tragic events in the United States.

This mission is funded by the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development and by the federal and provincial governments under the Canada-Newfoundland Development Agreement (CEDA). CEDA is a six-year, $95.4 million initiative designed to complement existing federal and provincial economic development efforts. It is administered federally by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and provincially by the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development.

Media contact:

Josephine Cheeseman
Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development
(709) 729-4570

Ken Pittman
Red Ochre Productions
(709) 739-1711

Heather Tibbo
Film Producer's Association of Newfoundland 
(709) 579-2308

2001 11 08                             10:45 a.m.