Telefilm Canada has greenlit 12 of the 90 projects that applied to its Canada Feature Film Fund – including Jeremy Podeswa’s adaptation of the bestseller Fugitive Pieces, another project about Roméo Dallaire, and François Girard’s delayed period piece Silk.

‘This is an interesting and diverse group of projects ranging from a local and wintry slacker comedy [Allan Moyle’s Weirdsville] to a stunning and exotic international film from the team that brought us The Red Violin,’ says Telefilm’s Karen Franklin.

Michel Pradier, director of the agency’s Quebec office, stressed that the quality of the projects was higher than ever, but due to funding limitations his office could approve only five of the 43 submissions from the province.

Laszlo Barna, CEO of Toronto’s Barna-Alper Productions, says filming will begin this winter on Dallaire, a dramatic feature about the retired lieutenant-general’s experiences in Rwanda. It is a copro with Halifax Film Company and others.

‘[Telefilm] was in a difficult situation and we’re grateful for their funding. It allows us now to go forward, tell the story of Roméo Dallaire from his point of view,’ he says.

Cowritten and directed by Yves Simoneau (Nuremberg), the picture is based on Dallaire’s book Shake Hands with the Devil, which was also the basis for last year’s documentary of the same name by White Pine Pictures.

When Niv Fichman of Rhombus Media got the go-ahead for Silk, he immediately left for London to solidify coproduction details. ‘This is a big film, a Canadian/Italian/Japanese coproduction, and we have to start filming this winter in Japan,’ he says.

Fichman and writer/director Girard haven’t made a film together since 1998’s The Red Violin. Silk, originally known as The Far Road, stalled shortly after it was announced in 2002. It is about a young married Frenchman in the 1800s who travels to the Far East to bring back silkworm eggs. During his travels, he falls in love with a mysterious woman.

‘We’re very excited. We’ve tried countless times to put something together but they all fell apart,’ says Fichman.

Podeswa (Six Feet Under, The Five Senses) knew he wanted to make Fugitive Pieces when he first read Anne Michaels’ best-selling novel in 1998. ‘It is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. But I thought it was too big – that was before I made Five Senses.’

With confirmed funding, says Podeswa, ‘we can start casting now and begin shooting in Canada and Greece in early 2006.’ Robert Lantos of Serendipity Point Films is producing.

Other films getting CFFF are:

* American Venus – director, Bruce Sweeney (Last Wedding). A psychological thriller about young actors living together in Vancouver. Produced by Brightlight Pictures, Vancouver.

* Poor Boys Game – director, Clement Virgo (Lie With Me). A man, in prison for the brutal beating of another man, is confronted by his victim’s father upon his release. Produced by Damon D’Oliveira.

* God Forgives – director Lucy Walker (The Devil’s Playground). The story of an Amish teenager’s coming-of-age in the outside world. Produced by Toronto’s Amaze Film + Television and Arcane Pictures in the U.K.

* Weirdsville – director, Allan Moyle (Pump Up the Volume, New Waterford Girl). Three comedic stoners are on the lam in a small Prairie town during a blistering cold night. Produced by Darius Films, Toronto.

* Still Life – director/cowriter Jeffrey Blatt (The Channel House). An unknown painter is proclaimed an artistic genius after he is mistakenly declared dead. Douglas Mackay, cowriter; Daniel Roby, producer.

* Dans les villes – director Catherine Martin. A ‘visual poem’ and experimental piece. Produced by Productions 23, Montreal.

* Guide de la petite vengeance – director Jean-François Pouliot (La Grande seduction). A mild-mannered accountant prepares to wreak comic vengeance on his scoundrel boss. Produced by Studio Max Films, Montreal.

* Le Secret de ma mère – director Ghyslaine Côté (Elles étaient cinq). As her family gathers for her father’s funeral, a young woman is confronted with painful secrets. From Remstar Productions, Montreal.

* La Vie extraordinaire de soeur sourire – director Stijn Coninx. The life story of Jeannine Deckers, a Belgian nun who rose to fame with the hit song Dominique. Produced by Montreal’s Productions EGM, France’s Pampa Productions and Belgium’s Art & Cinéma S.A.

The next deadline for CFFF applications is Oct. 3.