Paul Pope on the set of Hudson and Rex in June 2021. A driving force in the province’s film industry has passed away. Pope Productions’ Paul Pope died Thursday morning, according to his family. The producer is known throughout Canada for his work in film production as a founding member and former President of NIFCO (the Newfoundland Filmmakers Cooperative) and for his work on hundreds of films. Pope has been instrumental in the development of CNA’s new Film and Media Production Center, announced Wednesday. He could not attend Wednesday’s announcement. Some of his best-known works include Rare Birds, starring the late William Hurt, My Left Breast, a diagnosis of Gerry Rogers with breast cancer, and the Hudson & Rex television series, which airs across Canada, and a long list countries in both Europe and South America. . Pope’s work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the ArtsNL’s Arts Achievement Award, the Douglas James Dales Industry Builder Award, recognized by the City of St. John’s with a tourism award in 2021 and received an honorary doctorate from Memorial University. (Photo via City of St. John’s.)

Tributes Pour In

Reactions are beginning to blow over Paul Pope’s unexpected death. Prime Minister Andrew Fury wrote on Twitter that he was devastated by the news. He calls Pope the pioneer and driving force of the province’s film and television industry. The city of St. John also expresses deep sorrow over Pope’s death, calling him a dynamic force in the county film and television industry and a friend of the city of St. John. In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, the city said Pope had made a key contribution to the city’s 10-year economic plan, Roadmap 2021, and had recently set his sights on creating the city’s economic growth framework. The city says Pope was a frequent contributor to a number of projects and gave his time freely. I am utterly devastated by the news of #PaulPope’s sudden death. Paul was a pioneer, a driving force in our film and television industry. With passion and energy, his work was inspired and his legacy will live on. My heartfelt condolences to Lisa and her family at this tragic time. pic.twitter.com/lRk2SNZ2TY – Andrew Furey (@FureyAndrew) April 14, 2022