Montreal-based Cine-Groupe has closed a us$15-million financing deal with Imperial Entertainment Group, a Beverly Hills-based division of specialty finance group Imperial Bank. The deal will fund the upcoming animated theatrical feature Heavy Metal: F.A.K.K.2. Columbia TriStar will distribute the film domestically and in some international territories.

* * *

At press time, the first round of layoffs were being announced at Alliance Atlantis Communications.

Released in two rounds Oct. 28 and 29, the total loss of employees is expected to approach 100 staff through a combination of pink slips and buyout packages. An official announcement and breakdown of staff loss by departments will be released Nov. 2.