Appointment reflects multi award-winning Canadian CGI animation studio’s expanding focus on both client-based projects and global co-productions.
VANCOUVER, BC --
Rainmaker Entertainment Inc. (TSX: RNK) has appointed respected feature film and television executive Michael Hefferon as President and Executive Producer, it was announced by Craig Graham, newly appointed Chairman and CEO of the Vancouver-based CGI animation production studio.
The appointment of Hefferon reflects Rainmaker’s continuing expansion into both areas of client CGI animation services as well as original production with entertainment partners worldwide, such as the studio’s partnership with the Weinstein Company on the eagerly anticipated feature film Escape From Planet Earth.
Hefferon helms Rainmaker Entertainment joining a team of top professional animation and creative talent led by Kim Dent Wilder, Senior Vice President, Production and Operations.
Hefferon brings to his leadership role at Rainmaker an extensive career in the television and feature film industry, having produced more than 500 half-hours of programming for television and numerous theatrical motion pictures. Hefferon joins Rainmaker Entertainment from Bardel Entertainment where he served as Vice President of Business Development and Executive Producer and oversaw the company’s numerous high-profile productions and associations with broadcasters worldwide.
He previously served as managing Director of Australian CGI animation company Flying Bark Productions PTY Ltd and as Senior Vice President of Production and Development for German animation studio BFC Berliner Film Companie Productions GmbHwhere he also was Co-Producer on the animated feature film Happily N’ever After. Earlier in his career, Hefferon headed up animation co-productions for Gullane Entertainment/HIT Entertainment and served as VicePresident Production and Development for Toronto-based animation company Catalyst Entertainment. Hefferon also was founder and President of Phoenix Animation, his own studio which quickly gained a reputation as a high quality production studio with such credits as Fern Gully The Last Rainforest, Thumbelina, A Goofy Movie and All Dogs Go To Heaven II.
Hefferon will continue to serve as Executive Producer on his current series projects with Bardel Entertainment.
In addition to Hefferon’s appointment, Bardel Entertainment CEO Delna Bhesania was appointed to Rainmaker’s board of directors.
“We are extremely pleased to announce Michael Hefferon’s appointment to Rainmaker Entertainment. Michael ranks among the top echelon on television and film production and business executives whose extensive experience and impressive track record of success will prove to be of great benefit to our company as we continue our growth as a co-production partner and animation service provider. At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Delna Bhesania to Rainmaker’s board. A globally recognized animation executive, we look forward to Delna bringing her wealth of animation experience to our group,” said Graham.
Source: Rainmaker Entertainment
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
