Montreal: Telefilm Canada is organizing or assisting in the organization of four coming programs aimed at developing coproduction ties with Europe.

The first event brings representatives of TV France International, France’s national television export umbrella group, to Montreal’s Ex-Centris complex Oct. 28 for a promotional coproduction program called La France s’anime. The program includes a short screening session of new French animation and informal meetings with producers and exporters, followed by a reception.

Canadian coproduction continues to set record levels with the number of 1999 film and tv projects with advanced rulings from Telefilm at 102, representing combined budgets of $662 million.

tvfi’s initiative reflects the desire to deepen ties with Canada and ‘the rise in the French animation industry and their need to seek out more coproduction partners around the world,’ says Sheila de la Varende, director of Telefilm’s European office. tvfi has held similar events in Italy, Japan and Paris.

Docs kick it off

The first Industry Immersion program to be held in France – Immersion en France – Documentaire – takes place Nov. 23-26 in Paris. ‘Documentary [was selected] because it is the genre that has the most potential for growth in France,’ says de la Varende.

Thirty Canadian producers are attending the event, half from Montreal and the balance from five other provinces. The event brings together producers, film and tv distributors, and broadcasters in a series of workshops and private sessions aimed at promoting longer-term cooperation.

Canadian participants/sponsors include tvontario, Canal d, cbc, Motion International, the National Film Board, Telefiction and post-producer Global Vision. The French side includes arte, Banque Worms, France 2, France 3, Canal+, educational network La Sept-Cinquieme, post house Centre Image, and cable/satellite specialty channels Odyssee, Planete, Mezzo Mussik, Voyage, Histoire and La Chaine Histoire.

The program also includes a panel session with leading French doc directors including Yaminia Benguigui, Nicolas Philbert, Claire Simon and Jean Labib.

Organized by Telefilm’s European office, much of the detailed preparatory work is being handled by Julie Bergeron, de la Varende’s exec assistant.

Sharing Stories

As many as 30 to 40 Canadian producers are expected to attend this year’s edition of Sharing Stories, a tv and new media coproduction forum which takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland, Nov. 12-14. Former bbc exec Ros Borland is the event’s new director. ‘Because it’s usually been a good hunting ground for Canadian producers for European partnerships, [Telefilm] will continue to promote Sharing Stories,’ says de la Varende.

Following the successful Canada/Europe feature film script development panel at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, a script development program will be added to the Industry Immersion – Drama conference, slated for London, Eng., in November 2000. Twenty-five Canadian producer applications will be accepted. De la Varende says the hope is the Harold Greenberg Fund and London High Commission will again offer their support.

Telefilm’s European office publishes Zoom-Europe, a monthly news and analysis newsletter available in French and English, and a weekly European press review compilation available by e-mail (inquiries to tfcsheila@ibm.net).

Telefilm has just published a 50-page film and tv guide to the ‘hot’ Nordic market. Italy is up next, says de la Varende.