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Zannis Mark
Mark Zannis who produced, wrote and narrated ACTS OF DEFIANCE, joined the National Film Board of Canada in 1974 to distribute the classic Cree Hunters of Mistassini/Chasseurs Cris de Mistassini for the NFB's Challenge for Change/Société Nouvelle program. Later he became National Distribution Coordinator for Challenge for Change.
A sociologist, writer, broadcaster and community organizer, Zannis was one of a handful of non-natives to work for the Cree. This is his latest documentary in a long list of films focusing on Native issues beginning with Cree Way (1977). Then came award-winning films The Fiddlers of James Bay (1980) and The Great Buffalo Saga (1985). These were followed by For Future Generations (1985) and Blockade: Algonguins Defend the Forest (1990).
He has also produced over fifty other films on diverse subjects from around the world, such as A Struggle for Shelter (1987), a film about South American urbanisation; and A Safety Net (1987), a documentary on African food aid. He is also well known for his films on national themes, such as award winning Dief (1981); Two Dreams of a Nation: The Fortin Family of Quebec and Alberta (19800; The Inheritance (Les Johnson) co-produced with John Kramer (1980); Unemployment: Voices from the Line (1980). He collaborated with Alec MacLeod and Stephan Steinhouse on The Forbes Home (1982) on psychogeriatric patients.
A key member in the NFB's giant-screen film production team, he produced Transitions (1986), which was seen by almost two million visitors at Vancouver EXPO'86 and was the world's first film in IMAX 3D; and Urgence/Emergency (1987), a drama, the first IMAX film with fully synchronized sound. He also served as a consultant on the Canada/China co-production The First Emperor of China (1989), and produced the NFB's acclaimed giant-screen film Momentum (1992), the star attraction at Expo'92 in Seville, Spain, and the first-ever film in IMAX HD (high definition shot at 48 frames per second).
He is presently serving as executive producer of NFB headquarters Studio C documentary unit.
