CBC and Telefilm Canada are working together on English-language films, and on Thursday unveiled a new, shared effort that will see the public broadcaster help produce and promote four titles per year, in hand with independent producers.

The movies will air on the Ceeb, in its Sunday evening movie slot, shortly after an initial turn in theaters, according to the proposed plan. Distribution on other platforms would also follow.

Telefilm has long sought to boost the appeal and box-office returns of homemade English-language films. Such movies
took in just 1.1% of the total Canadian box office last year, according to Telefilm’s recent annual report.

CBC and Telefilm plan to work with producers and their distributors on production and promotion of the films — looking to shorten the window between the theatrical release and the broadcast ‘to enhance cross-promotion opportunities.’

Further, the two groups say they will work with the production community on developing new financing models. The new effort does not change CBC’s plans to pick up 10 Canadian films per year.

‘We know there is a tremendous amount of demand and creativity within the Canadian film industry that can be served through innovative new approaches to film development, financing, production and distribution,’ said network chief Richard Stursberg in a statement.