Staff
Tony Merzetti - Executive Director
Tony was born 1959 in the port city of Saint John.
Cat was born in 1965 in Miramichi in the village of Nelson.
She has done production management work on multiple member productions over the years.
Michel was a student in the NB Film Co-op's Certificate in Film and Television program and was selected to direct Butterfly Broach, one of the shorts being produced through the program.
In the summer of 2003 Michel directed a project along with a team of students. The team won first place at the National level. In May 2006, Michel won a Silver Medal in the Skill/Compétences Canada National contest in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and in June 2007, he won a Bronze Medal in the Skill/ Compétences Canada National contest in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for TV/Video production. In May 2007 Michel directed another project along with a team of students for Aliant Safe Grade contest 2007 and the team won first place for the Atlantic region.
Michel has worked on over 90 productions since he was 10 years old. He is now 20 years old.
First as a volunteer and now as Executive Director of the New Brunswick Filmmakers’ Co-operative, Tony has devoted over twenty-four years to making the province of NB a center for film creation in Canada.
Tony is known for his patience and dedication in his work with budding and experienced filmmakers alike. He has been instrumental in helping them to achieve their dreams and aspirations, all the while keeping the Co-op on solid financial ground.
Under his guidance the Co-op is reaching into communities across New Brunswick. In the process it has become a truly provincial organization representing traditional, alternative and multicultural film and video artists.
Always at the top of the class, Tony graduated with high honours from St. Malachy’s High in Saint John, made the Dean’s list in business administration at University of New Brunswick, Saint John and completed his MBA at St. Mary’s University. He then brought his considerable talent and vision back home to New Brunswick where he began to volunteer with the New Brunswick Filmmakers’ Co-op in Fredericton.
Tony has personally contributed to more than 100 films, including 5 which he wrote and directed himself. The Man Who Skied Citadel Hill and Natural Remedy have traveled both Canadian and international film festivals. Colleagues describe Tony as considerate and kindly; they profess a deep respect for the work he does as a skilled craftsman, teacher and activist on their behalf.
Tony won an Excellence Award for Community Cultural Development in New Brunswick in 2005
Cat LeBlanc - Membership Services Director
She received her English Degree and Gerontology certificate at St. Thomas University.
Cathie is a documentary filmmaker and music composer/songwriter. She really enjoys her work at the Film Co-op with Tony, the Board, committees/advisory groups and the membership and spends a great deal of time assisting the membership with prep/production/post and distribution work on their projects.
Michel Guitard - Part-Time Technical Director
Michel has been a member of the NB Film Co-op since 2000. He is a past recipient of the Short Film Venture grant from NB Film and most recently produced his 4th short film through the Film Co-op entitled
End of the Line
.