Montreal: The sitcom proposal Genesis Inc., described as a sort of ‘Dilbert meets the Old Testament,’ created a major buzz at the inaugural Just For Pitching session at the 21st edition of the Just For Laughs comedy festival.

Genesis Inc. is the creation of Vancouver actor Russ Hamilton and writing partner John Kenower, with some backing by Kids In The Hall lawyer David Himelfarb.

Immediately following the July 17 pitch session, attended by about 200 North American industry types, CBC variety executive George Anthony was interviewed by CBC station CBMT-TV, and stated the Corp. is fully backing the proposal. ‘We want it. It’s really all down to the details,’ said Anthony.

The absurdist sitcom follows the day-to-day hassles of heavenly office workers, cogs in God’s great work. Kenower and Hamilton said they envision celebrity cameo roles for name Biblical characters.

Genesis Inc. could be taped in Toronto as early as next spring.

JFL ’03 talent trophy winners include Cathy Gauthier, best francophone revelation; Christopher Williams, new francophone talent award winner; Second Nature, winner of the international Loto-Quebec prize for street arts; Jean-Francois Pouliot’s La Grande Seduction, voted by the public as best Comedia feature; Quebec filmmaker Jean-Francois Asselin’s Deformation personnelle, voted best French short film; and Ryan Wilner of Montreal, selected by an international jury as winner of the Homegrown National Championship prize for best stand-up Canadian comic.

JFL, held July 10-20, registered close to 8,000 accreditations. Total attendance was over 1.7 million including 256,000 for 459 indoor-venue shows.

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