With its bank and favor accounts buoyed to the tune of $2.8 million in cash ($1.6 million) and services, executive director Wayne Clarkson announced the Feature Film Project’s two-year, three-feature renewal.

Speaking at a press conference at Windfields, the Canadian Film Centre’s posh digs, executive producer Colin Brunton said he and his family are grateful he is keeping the ‘coolest film job.’

Telefilm Canada is in once again – as Bill House puts it, ‘I think we’re ready for a little more abuse’ – and the Ontario Film Development Corporation also reconfirmed its support.

The Bronfmans are off the hook this year (the CRB Foundation was one of the first investors, on the condition that it not be asked again), as new support was clinched from fund and Viacom Canada.

Viacom will provide three $60,000 bursaries, and will host the filmmakers on an l.a. networking spree, providing entree to the decision-makers at many of Viacom’s related entertainment companies, and, says Viacom’s president Allan Gregg, a ‘worldwide outlet for their talent.’

Gregg went on to say that Showtime wants to forge closer ties with the project’s participants in order to get a jump on securing u.s. premium pay rights to the end product. Says Gregg: ‘They’re very impressed with the first three films.’

As was Cannes, which invited Clement Virgo’s Rude to join the august company of Wim Wenders and John Boorman in the film festival’s Un Certain Regard showcase.

Brunton, giving updates on the progress of Rude (picked up by Cineplex Odeon Films and Alliance International), Holly Dale’s Blood & Donuts (completing post), and Laurie Lynd’s Playing House (currently posting), summed it up: ‘We’ve got three very cool films we can all be proud of.’

More inclusive

A new more inclusive wrinkle in project eligibility was announced; now only one of the three members of the filmmaking team – writer, producer, director – need be a cfc grad.

Brunton issued a personal invitation to any interested couch potatoes in the viewing audience: ‘If you think you’ve got a great project that will cost next to nothing and can be produced in no time, give the Film Centre a call.’

Kodak Canada and deluxe toronto continue their major corporate sponsorship by providing product and facilities. Other suppliers noted for their beneficence were Film Effects, P.S. Production Services, William F. White and Trackworks.

Brunton also added that Magic Online is taking the Film Centre into cyberspace ‘wherever that is…’