Alberta Film Industry Mourns Loss of Pioneer

Bill Marsden, Alberta's first Film Commissioner, and champion for production in the province, has passed away. This from AMPIA:

To all members and friends of AMPIA,

In case you have not already heard, this note is to let you know that our friend Bill Marsden died last Saturday. Bill was one of the great pioneers of Alberta’s film and television industry. Bill was one of the original founders of AMPIA and was responsible for the creation of the Alberta Motion Picture Development Corporation (AMPDC). Bill was a major contributor to almost every important development in the Alberta industry. His book, “Big Screen Country”, is a lasting legacy to his passionate commitment to the province and to its filmmakers.

To quote Fil Fraser, “We have lost a great friend and a great champion”.

In memory of Bill, a special annual award for filmmaking will be established in his name.

To contribute to this special fund, contact Heather Palberg at the CIBC in Edmonton at (780) 429-7726.

Everyone is invited to attend a Memorial Service this coming Saturday, November 4 at 12:00 Noon at Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home in Sherwood Park (directions below).
4820 Meridian Street
Sherwood Park, Alberta
(780) 468 - 2222

Meridian Street can only be accessed when heading SOUTH on Hwy 14 - the access is 1 km South of the Sherwood Park Fwy on Hwy 14

Click here for print friendly driving directions and map and here to leave condolences.

Read the Edmonton Journal/Canada.com article about Bill's passing at this link.

Discover a short interview with Mr. Marsden at dreamersanddoers.ca.

A review of his book can be found at Vue Weekly.

You can order Bill's book through Amazon.ca at this link or Amazon.com at this link.

My thoughts and thanks go out to his family, friends, and associates.

Photo: Shaughn Butts, The Journal, file Bill Marsden.