– New Forefront distribco

Vancouver-based Forefront Entertainment has opened another distribution arm, Forefront Theatrical International, which will produce and distribute Canadian-made family features.

Headed by Forefront principal Helena Cynamon and distribution veteran Allan Locke, Vancouver-based fti will begin with a small slate of in-house features and pickups.

The first film represented by fti is Summer of Monkeys (Edge Productions), which screens at the Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 13 and opens theatrically Sept. 18 at the Cineplex Odeon Centre Cinema in Saskatoon, where the film was shot. Summer of Monkeys will open in more theaters in the fall.

The film – produced by David Doerksen and directed by Oscar-nominated Michael Anderson – is based on a story by author Wilson Rawls and is about a boy who, while trying to save money to buy a horse, devises a way to collect the reward for a troupe of escaped circus monkeys. It stars Michael Ontkean (Twin Peaks), Leslie Hope (Talk Radio), Corey Sevier (Lassie: The Series) and Wilfred Brimley (Cocoon).

Television-oriented Forefront Releasing was launched in 1995.

– CBSC rules against Global

The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council has ruled that a Global newscast story has constituted a breach of journalistic ethics.

The report, which aired on Aug. 8, 1997, covered the Premiers’ Conference held in St. Andrews, n.b. A viewer complained that a statement made by Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard was taken out of context.

In the report in question, Bouchard was quoted as saying that the projected national unity conference of the premiers in Calgary was ‘doomed before it begins.’

The complainant noted that the premier said in part: ‘If you enter into this new process, which is not substantial process… with the idea that 65 per cent of Quebecers are federalists, well it’s doomed before it begins.’

‘In Global’s coverage of the incident,’ the complainant wrote, ‘Mr. Bouchard’s reply [was] distorted by omitting the reference to the 65% matter, which was the topic of the discussion, leading the viewer to believe that Mr. Bouchard was [of] the opinion that any constitutional talks would be doomed from the beginning, which is not what Mr. Bouchard actually said, according to ctv’s more complete coverage.’

Despite reassurances from Global that there was no attempt to take Bouchard’s comments out of context and assertions that the gist of his comment was communicated, the cbsc found that the broadcaster had breached the provisions of the council’s codes. It requires accuracy in news presentation and provides that broadcasters must ‘ensure that news broadcasts are not editorial’ and ‘will in no way distort the news.’

Global is required to announce the cbsc decision during primetime within 30 days and provide confirmation of airing the statement to the council and to the complainant.

– Mainframe inks ReBoot deal with Cartoon Network

The traditionally slow part of Mainframe Entertainment’s fiscal year received a boost with a new deal with the American Cartoon Network to license all 39 episodes of ReBoot.

‘The exposure that will be created for ReBoot will significantly enhance the series’ merchandising opportunities, including the recently introduced interactive game, as well as further licensing revenues,’ says Chris Brough, vice-chair and ceo of Vancouver-based Mainframe.

Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal ’99 (ended June 30), meanwhile, were only $100,000, creating a net loss of $3.9 million ($0.28 per share). In the first quarter of ’98, by comparison, Mainframe lost $2.5 million ($0.31) on revenue of $1.1 million, but the loss then was spread over 5.6 million fewer common shares.

In other developments during the quarter, Mainframe commenced full production on War Planets (Shadowraiders in Canada), a 40-episode series to be launched next month and based on a Trendmasters toy line.

Mainframe also began production on a third season of Beast Wars Transformers (Beasties in Canada), which remains the number-one syndicated show in the u.s. for boys ages 2-11.

– Pram takes Rozon to court

Pram International has taken legal action against Films Rozon seeking to terminate the 10-year-old ‘in perpetuity’ distribution agreement between the two parties.

In a 15-page document filed Aug. 21, Pram outlined a series of long-standing European suits against Rozon, claiming Rozon had used the leverage of popular Pram programs such as Surprise sur prise and other ‘hidden camera’ style shows to bundle its own (Rozon program) sales to European broadcasters.

Pram says Rozon also failed to inform Pram of a program sale to Scandinavia. In 1988, Pram signed over all distribution rights to its programs to Rozon ‘in perpetuity.’

A French administrative tribunal recently ruled Rozon was obliged to include Pram credits, omitted by Rozon, for a Pram show broadcast in France, and awarded Pram about $900,000 in copyright and punitive damages.

– Shaw sells Choice shares

Star Choice Communications has announced that Shaw Communications has sold 525,000 Star Choice common shares. Shaw continues to have a significant holding in Star Choice, consisting of 14,312,594 common shares, all of the issued and outstanding senior pik preferred shares having a paid up capital of us$25 million (ca$37.5 million) and warrants to purchase in excess of 15 million common shares in Star Choice capital.

Shaw has advised Star Choice that it currently has no intention to sell further shares.

– CRTC hearing extended

Television execs have been given more time to speak their minds about the state of Canadian television during the crtc’s Canadian Television Policy Review.

Scheduled to start Wednesday, Sept. 23, the oral public hearing has been extended to Friday, Oct. 9, one week later than originally announced.

Due to the extension, final written comments are now due no later than Monday, Nov. 9.

In other policy review-related news, the Rogers Industry Centre’s Symposium ’98 at the Toronto International Film Festival has announced a panel discussion on the future of Canadian television in anticipation of the crtc’s hearings in September.

Sneak Preview: The Future of Canadian Television will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 1:30 to 3 p.m. with panelists Slawko Klymkiw, executive director, network programming at cbc; Kevin M. Shea, president and coo of Global Television Network (eastern operations); Jay Switzer, vp of programming at CHUM Television; Michael MacMillan, chairman and ceo of Atlantis Alliance Communications; Beverley Oda, ctv’s senior vp, industry affairs; and Linda Schuyler, executive producer of Epitome Pictures.

– People

– A management specialist in intellectual property, Marie Pinsonneault has been appointed director-general, new media and business development at Radio-Canada.

Pinsonneault is also responsible for the network’s specialty channels and strategic alliances and partnerships. Her appointment is effective Sept. 8.

– Confirming industry speculation, Jennifer Mather will anchor Global News at 6:00 in Vancouver. She quit bctv in July when the newsroom strike concluded. Mather replaces Suzette Meyers who left to pursue a career in independent production.

– Recently retired Toronto Maple Leaf Nick Kypreos will join CTV Sportsnet as a studio hockey analyst. He has a two-year deal to cover the nhl and chl, and will work alongside lead analyst Greg Millen and host Darren Dreger.