Canadians from as many as 65 companies are still stranded in Cannes following MIPTV, and some say Telefilm Canada is not doing enough to help with the confusion that has followed the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

Many delegates who paid to be a part of Telefilm’s presence at the French market are still unable to fly home because of the volcanic ash that has grounded flights across Europe since Wednesday, just as MIPTV wrapped. They say the agency has not done enough to communicate with delegates, to provide emergency numbers or to help stranded Canadians find accommodation or alternate ways to travel.

Panic has turned to frustration, says Henry Gagnon of Montreal-based HGagnon Distribution. ‘It was panic at the beginning, but now it’s the not knowing. It’s like who do we call? Where do we go? What do we do?,’ he tells Playback Daily from France. Gagnon was selling independent shows at the market.

Participants pay between $1,800 and $20,000 to make use of Telefilm’s Canada Pavilion at MIPTV.

‘We’re all extremely frustrated at the lack of communication and care,’ added Susan Boshcoff of Toronto-based Rethink Entertainment. (Know more? Email us!)

A spokesperson says the agency now has representatives working with the Canadian consulate in Paris to gather information that will be passed on to MIPTV delegates.

‘They are hoping to communicate with the stranded participants as soon as possible,’ says Eva Hartling.

‘While we are sympathetic towards producers who attended MIPTV, a number of our own Telefilm employees are also not able to fly home from France,’ she added.

Hartling couldn’t say how many participants are currently stranded.

MIPTV organizers also opened a help desk and business center at the Palais des Festivals where stranded participants have access to computer terminals, Internet connections and faxing facilities.

Meanwhile, some flights to Europe were set to resume Monday from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport to cities including Rome, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris after European authorities agreed to ease restrictions. Britain’s airports were still closed at press time, as were those in the Netherlands. Air France said it would start resuming suspended flights on Tuesday.

Late addition: Picture Box Distribution is hosting a get-together for any stranded Canadians, Wednesday from 8pm, at the company’s apartment in Cannes. ‘Come commiserate with us — bring your own drink of choice and best escape strategy,’ they say. ‘We’ll provide some hors d’úuvres and a special ‘ashtini.”

Marilyn Kynaston plays host. Please email Kate Sanagan to RSVP and for directions.

______________________________ Photo: KTo288, via Wikipedia
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