Autodesk seals deal

U.S. software maker Autodesk this month completed its purchase of Alias, bringing the Toronto-based maker of Maya 3D animation and FX tools into its fold for US$197 million. The deal was announced last fall, just 18 months after Alias broke away from its former parent, Silicon Graphics. Autodesk, which makes the Discreet line of post-production tools, says it will link the software of both companies to improve compatibility and efficiencies.

New Line re-ups with AAC

New Line Cinema and the distribution wing of Alliance Atlantis Communications have renewed their output deal to the end of 2008 – bolstering the library of Motion Picture Distribution LP, which will continue to handle all New Line pictures in all media in Canada.

New Line is a major partner in AAC’s distribution business. Its upcoming releases include Terrence Malick’s The New World. Similar deals with Focus Features and Miramax are also due for renewal.

Deadline approaching

Next month marks the submission deadline for the Rockie Awards at the Banff World Television Festival. Applications for the 18 prizes – including best animation, interactive television, documentary, comedy, miniseries, MOWs and current affairs – must be in by Feb. 28. This year’s fest will again present a prize for best Canadian program in show, sponsored by Playback. The 2006 Banff World Television Festival will be held June 11-14. See www.banff2006.com.

Take One folds

Take One magazine suspended publication in January, ending 14 years of covering Canadian moviemaking. ‘It’s a sad day for me,’ said Wyndham Wise, founding editor and publisher, ‘but in the end there was too great a gap between our advertising revenue and our printing costs.’

The magazine was launched at the 1992 Toronto International Film Festival, three years after the demise of a previous national film magazine, Cinema Canada. Wise is still hoping for a partnership that might mean Take One can continue.

IATSE in at TIFF

Projectionists for the Toronto International Film Festival and its parent group are now members of IATSE Local 173, following a 22-to-6 vote in favor of unionization. The vote was held in September, but went uncounted while the union and TIFF sorted out a number of legal challenges. The local now represents all TIFF projectionists in Toronto.

Oz extends credit

Australia has extended its 12.5% tax credit to include major television series, in a bid to lure more big-budget foreign shoots Down Under. The credit originally covered only features and smaller TV shoots and pays a rebate on all in-country production costs, including those for cast and crew. Shows must spend at least A$15 million to qualify.

The news follows a new tax credit introduced last month in the U.K. that offers a rebate of 16% to 20% to movie shoots, depending on the budget. The credit is expected to boost British indie films, and to attract more service work from Hollywood.