Jeff Chan’s crowdfunded, record-breaking feature Code 8 has started production in Toronto. 

Chan and his partners launched an Indiegogo campaign in 2016 with the goal of raising US $200,000. The campaign ultimately raised US$1.7 million, making it one of the top-10 film campaigns on any crowdfunding platform and the number one campaign for a Canadian film ever.

Based on the short film of the same name, Code 8 is set in a world where a small percentage of the population is born with supernatural abilities. Instead of being celebrated, these “specials” often live in poverty and resort to crime to get by. The feature stars Canadian cousins Robbie Amell (The Flash) and Stephen Amell (Arrow), as well as Sung Kang (Fast and the Furious), Kari Matchett (Maudie), Greg Bryk (Frontier) and Aaron Abrams (Hannibal).

Code 8 is directed by Chan and written by Chris Paré. The sci-fi action movie is set to wrap production in Toronto in mid-July, with an anticipated 2019 release.

The film is produced by Chan and Paré’s Toronto-based Colony Pictures banner. Chan will serve as producer, with both Amells exec producing alongside Resolute Films’ Lee Kim, Blue Ice Pictures’ Mary Anne Waterhouse and L.A.-based Thickwater Entertainment. Paré will coproduce.

In addition to the Indiegogo funds raised, Code 8 was financed by Telefilm Canada and U.K. based Fyzz Facility.

Elevation Pictures will distribute in Canada in 2019 with XYZ Films handling foreign sales.