Memorandum of Agreement Between Montréal Space for Life and the NFB - A First Production to Mark Montréal's 375th Anniversary

MONTRÉAL, Dec 2, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Montréal Space for Life and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) share the same programming approach, both aiming to create distinctive experiences. And so the NFB and the city of Montréal, including Space for Life, have now signed an unprecedented memorandum of agreement creating a world-class partnership and confirming their intention to collaborate on producing original works and using existing works, and to exchange and share their respective expertise. Specific collaboration contracts will be signed under the agreement, starting with a scientific digital co-production for release in the summer of 2017 at the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, to mark Montréal's 375^th anniversary.

"I am delighted to see this kind of alliance between two leading institutions on Montréal's scientific and cultural scene. Space for Life and the NFB are sure to contribute to Montréal's renown as a city of art, culture and knowledge," says Manon Gauthier, Montréal Executive Committee member responsible for culture, heritage, design, Space for Life and the status of women.

"Montréal Space for Life intends to continue offering new experiences for visitors, to highlight science and its collections. And to do so we want to create major partnerships, like this one with the NFB, recognized worldwide as a tremendous cultural laboratory for innovation," says Montréal Space for Life Director Charles-Mathieu Brunelle.

"The role of the NFB in creating original, bold and immersive productions is taking on a new dimension with this new association with Montréal Space for Life. It brings together two leading institutions, two complementary visions and mandates that are sure to benefit the public, educators and anyone interested in learning, be they from Greater Montréal or elsewhere around the world. For us, this is also a way of pursuing creation and innovation in new production and dissemination niches," says Claude Joli-Cœur, Government Film Commissioner and Chair of the NFB.

A first ambitious project
As part of Montréal's 375^th anniversary celebrations, Montréal Space for Life and the NFB will be presenting a unique multimedia creation for the general public starting in summer 2017. Producer René Chénier and Director Philippe Baylaucq of the NFB will pool their talents with those of the Planetarium's team of astronomers and science communicators to produce this original piece. It will be shown in the Tinto Alcan Planetarium's Chaos Theatre, a space where the focus is on art, science and emotion.

Since the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium opened in April 2013, three shows have been screened in this theatre: Continuum, by Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon; Vertiges, by artists Alexandre Burton and Jimmy Lakatos; and, more recently, Dark Universe, produced by the prestigious American Museum of Natural History.

Montréal Space for Life
Montréal Space for Life is made up of four attractions on the same site: the Botanical Garden, Biodôme, Insectarium and Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. These four prestigious municipal institutions form Canada's largest natural science museum complex. Together, they are launching a daring, creative urban movement, urging everyone to rethink the connection between humankind and nature and cultivate a new way of living.

National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) creates groundbreaking interactive works, social-issue documentaries and auteur animation. The NFB has over 13,000 productions and more than 5,000 awards to its credit, including 14 Canadian Screen Awards, 11 Webbys, 12 Oscars and more than 90 Genies. To access acclaimed NFB content, visit NFB.ca or download its apps for smartphones, tablets and connected TV.

SOURCE Espace pour la vie

Karine Jalbert, Communications Co-ordinator, Montréal Space for Life, 514 872-1453/ 514 250-3230, [email protected]