Vancouver: The 2000 Leo Awards gala event on May 13 honored veteran domestic film booster Michael Francis and the Pacific office of the National Film Board for their outstanding individual and organizational contributions to the British Columbia film industry. Francis, an accountant and venture capitalist by trade, is chairman of the funding agency British Columbia Film, chairman of the Vancouver International Film Festival, Chairman of the Advisory Committee for New Media bc and a former director of WIC Western International Communications, among his many appointments.

NFB Pacific Centre, meanwhile, has been active in the West Coast community for 35 years, producing award-winning documentaries, animated films, children's productions and new media projects.

Last year, outspoken industry watchdog and producer Daryl Duke won the individual award and British Columbia Film won the organizational award.

Ian Edwards