In this report we take a look at the activities and game plans of Canada’s public production companies.

In this report:

Alliance p. 40

Atlantis p. 42

Cinar p. 39

Coscient p. 40

Devine p. 42

Greenlight p. 43

Keystone p. 43

Malofilm p. 37

Nelvana p. 38

Paragon p. 40

The revenues of Greenlight Communications, a Toronto-based multimedia company, are predicted to balloon in fiscal 1996 with the financing of five feature films.

Last month, Greenlight secured $33 million toward production costs through two new corporate entities: a wholly owned entertainment subsidiary in Vancouver, Everest Entertainment, and a 30% stake in Kingsborough Greenlight Pictures of Montreal.

Everest will produce a $4.5-million science-fiction film, Laserhawk, which begins shooting in April, and a $4.5 million family-oriented action-adventure, Ocean Boy, shot in Vancouver and destined for theatrical distribution.

Kingsborough Greenlight’s more ambitious schedule includes a $5 million adaptation of Jack London’s The Call of the Wild starring Rutger Hauer, a $9 million sci-fi horror, Hemoglobin, and the $10 million To Walk With Lions: The Tony Fitzjohn Story, the continuing true-life saga of Born Free.

Production financing has been secured through domestic and foreign presales and tax credits. The balance of the financing is expected to come from unsold territories. Revenues of Greenlight are expected to blossom from fiscal 1995’s tally of $3.5 million and bottom line of $337,000. In the first quarter of 1996 (ended Sept. 30), revenues were already $5.6 million, and a glowing analyst’s report from Merit Investment Corporation of Toronto pegs 1996 revenues at $24 million.

In Toronto, Greenlight representative Peter Donato says the filmmaking divisions will generate half of the company’s revenue. Also in Toronto, Everest managing partner Paul Gardner says that 55% of Everest’s expected $13 million revenues will come from production-related activities such as presales. Domestic and international broadcasting ventures will total 10% of revenue, while new media business (including promotional cd-roms for its features) will generate another 5%. Theatrical distribution – bolstered by a nine-picture Canadian distribution deal with Orion – will contribute 25% to revenues.

The Kingsborough Greenlight joint venture is expected to generate $6 million in revenues in 1996 for parent Greenlight.

Greenlight’s other wholly owned subsidiaries include education-oriented companies HealthLink Communications, HealthLink Communications (u.s.) and ikon – Interactive Knowledge On Networked Systems. Its interactive-related companies are Internet Canada, Internex Online, Information Express, AVENU Interactive, InMedia Software and DHD Postimage.

Greenlight trades on the Canadian Dealing Network, the OTC Bulletin Board and the Berlin Exchange. Greenlight closed on nasdaq’s over-the-counter bulletin board on Feb. 22 at $1.22, down from a 52-week high of $2.15 and up from the 52-week low of 68 cents.