He replaces David Verrall as of Aug 8.

Veteran animation producer Roddy McManus has been named Executive Producer of the National Film Board of Canada’s Oscar-winning English-language animation studio, replacing David Verrall as of August 8, 2011.

McManus has been producing animation for the Canadian and international markets for 20 years. Since 1999, he’s been at POP6 leading a team of artists and producers and encouraging auteur-driven and innovative projects.

“Roddy and the NFB share a passion for exploring new possibilities in animation and reaching new audiences: something that’s especially important as our digital platforms bring NFB productions to Canadians and people around the world, as never before,” said Cindy Witten, Director General of NFB English Program, in a release.

McManus’ most recent credits include producer on Transgression (a Spain/Italy/Canada feature co-production) and co-producer of Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie (a UK/Canada animated feature).

McManus has big shoes to fill replacing Verrall who won an Academy Award for Alison Snowden and David Fine’s 1993 short Bob’s Birthday. Verrall also executive produced two more Oscar-winning shorts: Chris Landreth’s Ryan (2004) and Torill Kove’s The Danish Poet (2006).