Bell shells out $1.7M

The Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund has handed out $1.7 million in production cash, and $275,000 for development, to seven new shows. Among the winners are: The Right Stuff from Galafilm Productions, a documentary series following the attempts by scientists and engineers to visit Mars; GMI: Ghost Masters Investigates from CCI Entertainment, a children’s reality show that sends would-be investigators into supposedly haunted houses; and Sub from Collideascope Digital Production and Trinome, an animated series following the daily exploits of three intelligent but unfocused teens from France, Newfoundland and Quebec.

Festival unveils prizes

Montreal’s newest film festival has tweaked its English name and unveiled its slate of awards. The New Montreal Film Festival – organized by L’Équipe Spectra and previously known to some as the Montreal International Film Festival – will hand out 12 prizes when it makes its debut in September.

The Golden Iris of Montreal is the grand prize and four Silver Irises will honor best director, actor, actress and a special jury selection. Another prize may be awarded, it is optional, for certain technical achievements. The Iris of Tomorrow will go to the best first- or second-time work, and two awards will go to short films. Public Prizes will also be awarded for best feature and best Canadian film.