LGE posts US$94.2M loss

Lions Gate Entertainment has posted a net loss of US$94.2 million for its 2004/05 fiscal year, down significantly from its net gain of US$1.1 million in ’03/04. The B.C.- and California-based distributor blamed the drop partly on one-time costs from the reorganization of its Montreal-based animation partner CineGroupe, and from its recent purchase of Artisan Entertainment. Revenues for the year totaled US$384.9 million.

ACTRA ad pact includes 6% fee boost

ACTRA and the Canadian ad industry (represented by the Association of Canadian Advertisers and the Institute of Communications and Advertising) have formed a tentative agreement for a new three-year National Commercial Agreement. The deal, which ACTRA believes will be ratified by its members, would take effect Aug. 1 and run to June 30, 2007. The new NCA includes increases in minimum fees of 6%, a 1% increase in producers’ contribution to insurance and retirement benefits, as well as doubling audition call-back fees and late-payment penalties.

Cash prize at Whistler

The fourth annual Whistler Film Festival, Dec. 2-5, will feature a new $10,000 prize for best Canadian feature. The Phillip Borsos Award will go to a Canadian film of any genre that premieres in Whistler. With the award, organizers hope to attract more Canadian international debuts.

The prize is named for the Genie Award-winning director of such films as The Grey Fox and The Mean Season, who died in 1995 after a battle with cancer. Whistler also awards non-cash prizes for best feature, best short and best adventure film. Submission deadline is Sept. 10. Details are available at www.whistlerfilmfestival.com.