Top cultural execs wanted

Since CRTC acting chair David Colville declared that he does not wish to be considered for the position of CRTC chair, three major chairs still need to be filled – CRTC chair, CBC chair and Telefilm Canada chair and CEO.

In late June, Colville, VP of telecommunications and an Atlantic Canada representative for the CRTC, informed Heritage Minister Sheila Copps and the Prime Minister’s Office of his decision to drop out of the running for the CRTC chair.

He says he will remain acting chair until someone is appointed and will remain VP of telecommunications until his term expires at the end of 2003.

Colville has been acting chair of the commission three times in the 11 years he’s been working there.

CFC launches the EFP

The Feature Film Project and the Canadian Film Centre have created a new program for first-time filmmakers interested in producing dramatic features for under $250,000.

The Essential Film Programme offers a 12-week, fully mentored, intensive and individually tailored development and prep program, as well as a comprehensive, fully financed and mentored production opportunity.

Since its inception in 1992, the FFP has produced 10 feature films including Cube, Rude and The Uncles.

Application deadline for the EFP is July 16.

If you want their advice…

Producers represent the largest single discipline among members of the Permanent Feature Film Advisory Group, but loose-knit coalitions among the advisors are not out of the question, considering the wide range of backgrounds and vocations represented.

The Heritage Ministry called for the creation of the advisory group as part of its Canadian Feature Film Policy, announced Oct. 5, 2000.

In an ultimate statement of regional correctness, the group’s three chairpersons represent the three busiest production hubs. Denise Robert of Cinemaginaire is from Montreal, Tom Rowe of Sextant Entertainment is based in Vancouver and Niv Fichman of Rhombus Media calls Toronto home.

Other members include: Robert Lantos, producer; Mary-Pat Gleeson and Christian Larouche, distributors; Louis Belanger, Atom Egoyan and Anne Wheeler, directors; Joanne Arseneau and Tricia Fish, screenwriters; Pierre Curzi and Tantoo Cardinal, actors; Tony Cianciotta, exhibitor; Suzanne Laverdiere and Lisa de Wilde, broadcasters; Piers Handling, festivals; Wayne Clarkson, training schools; Bryan Gliserman and Paul Gratton, members at large; and Louise Pelletier (Telefilm board), Garry Toth (CTF) and Jean-Francois Bernier (Heritage), members ex officio.

Appointments to the advisory group are for two or three years.

Keystone reports fiscal 2001 results

The annual report from Vancouver’s International Keystone Entertainment shows the producer of Air Bud and other family films recorded a net loss of $3.4 million ($0.29 per share) on revenue of $14.3 million. Revenues jumped $12.3 million in the final six months of the fiscal year ended Jan. 31 because of the delivery of three films in 2001: MVP: Most Valuable Primate, 2Gether and Air Bud 3: World Pup.

Distribution royalties, meanwhile, added $1.6 million to consolidated revenues.

Remstar copros Deed

Montreal-based Remstar Productions has added large-scale production financing to its expanding business activities and has announced a cofinancing deal with Seven Arts Pictures for the Bob Rafelson film noir thriller No Good Deed.

The US$24-million film is based on the Dashiell Hammett short story The House on Turk Street and stars Samuel Jackson (The Red Violin) in the role of an auto theft detective entangled in a nightmare. The film is shooting on location July 9 to Aug. 24 at the Cine Cite Studios in Montreal. Also starring are Milla Jovovich (Joan of Arc) and Stellan Sharsgard.

Remstar and various European partners are among the film’s cofinancers with Seven Arts, which produced Rules of Engagement in association with Paramount Pictures.

A U.S. domestic distribution deal is in negotiation. Remstar Distribution will release the film in Canada.

Sam Perlmutter, Herb Nanas, Barry Berg and Remstar co-president Maxime Remillard are producing.

Remillard says he expects to announce other coventure deals with U.S. producers this year.

Inside Out, moving up

The 11th annual Inside Out Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival boasted record attendance, with 290 films offered in 87 programs.

Box-office revenue at this year’s festival, which ran May 17-27, increased by 18% over last year.

Thirty-two programs were sold out, including the three gala screenings for Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Fine Line Features), Big Eden and Julie Johnson.

Noam Gonick’s Hey Happy! was also a sellout, along with Burnt Money, Come Undone, Could Be Worse!, Desi’s Got a New Girl, East is Red, Gypsy Boys, Nico & Dani, O Fantasma and Unknown Friend.

‘We had a diverse festival that appealed to a broad cross-section of society – not only the queer community, but mainstream audiences as well. And I think that is reflected in our strong audience this year,’ says Inside Out executive director Scott Ferguson.

Upbeat distrib news for Noces, Fortress

Emile Gaudreault’s romantic comedy Nuit de Noces has topped the $1-million mark at the Quebec box office. The film earned $1,255,193 in its first four weeks in release, through to the June 22-24 weekend. Nuit de Noces is produced by Cinemaginaire and stars Genevieve Brouillette and Francois Morency. It was launched on 76 screens by distrib Films Seville, and is currently showing on about 40.

Roger Cantin’s family fantasy La Fortresse Suspendue/The Hidden Fortress, the latest in Productions La Fete’s new round of Tales for All feature films, had box-office receipts of $89,027 during its opening June 22-24 weekend. Distrib Equinox Entertainment released the film on some 50 Quebec screens.

La Fete reports The Hidden Fortress is being programmed on more than 1,700 Air Canada flights in North America, starting Sunday, July 1. The company says it’s the first time a current theatrical release is being simultaneously programmed by a commercial airline.

La Fete president Rock Demers is the subject of a prominent feature story in the current issues of En Route and En Route TV.