MONTREAL — The Fuse Group (www.fusefx.com), parent organization to visual effects studios FuseFX, Folks, Rising Sun Pictures and El Ranchito, recently announced the appointment of Amélie Poitras as president of Folks (www.folksvfx.com). She will succeed Sébastien Bergeron, who recently took on the role of CEO of The Fuse Group.
Poitras has been part of the Folks team since the visual effects studio’s founding in 2012. With a background in management and accounting, her role has evolved over the years, from producer to executive producer, head of the Montreal studio, and now president of Folks. In addition to having a huge role in establishing Folks’ identity and culture, she has also been instrumental in the company's expansion to Toronto, Bogotá and Saguenay. She was also a driving force behind Folks’ acquisition by The Fuse Group in April 2020.
"Since the early beginning of Folks, Amélie has been a driving force in building our operations, culture and ultimately our brand,” says Bergeron. “Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to delivering the highest level of quality and service to our clients make her perfectly suited to be Folks’ next president.”
Poitras has built a reputation for developing fruitful and trusted relationships with artists and clients. Her collaboration with the management of Folks and sister studios FuseFX and Rising Sun Pictures was essential in integrating Folks into The Fuse Group and helping to establish a connected set of leading studios across the globe. As the company and the VFX industry have evolved, Poitras has been at the forefront of change and trailblazing for women in leadership positions.
"At Folks, we are incredibly proud that approximately 33 percent of senior managers and artists are women, and continue to strive to increase our diversity and inclusion throughout the enterprise," comments Poitras. "Women have always played an important role in leadership positions at Folks. We have two women running the Toronto and Bogotá studios, (and) all our executive producers are women. Although initially a predominantly male industry, it has become less and less so. It's very inclusive and diverse. I've never felt any barriers."