Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television adds to board 
The Canadian Academy has added three new members to its board, chair Martin Katz announced Sept. 20. Spin VFX president and exec producer Neishaw Ali, Mohawk Girls creator Tracey Deer and Flashpoint EP Anne Marie La Traverse join the Academy’s existing 15-member board. “Our new board members underline the evolving landscape of our screen industries and we are working hard to ensure The Canadian Academy is aligned and representative of our Canadian audiences,” said Beth Janson, CEO, in a release.

Bron secures $50M in credit
B.C.’s Bron studio has secured a US$50 million credit line as its film slate grows and TV development plans take shape. The revolving line of credit from California-based Comerica bank will help the rapidly growing studio re-finance its existing and future productions, Aaron L. Gilbert told Playback Daily. While the studio has received credit lines and financing before, this is the most it’s received in a single deal. The studio is currently in development, in-production and in post on a number of films, including the animated fare The Willoughbys and Henchmen, as well as features Fonzo, The Front-Runner Project and Monster. The studio also recently released Roman J. Israel, Esq, starring Denzel Washington, at TIFF and just completed Chris Evans-starrer The Red Sea Diving Resort. Bron is also in development on a number of yet-unnanounced TV series. The credit line was negotiated by Bron EVP Steven Thibault, SVP production and design Anjay Nagpal and COO Joel Guralnick.

Brown Girl Begins to premiere at Urbanworld Film Fest 
Brown Girl Begins, from Toronto-based filmmaker Sharon Lewis, will have its world premiere in New York City at the Urbanworld Film Festival on Sept. 23. Debuting in the World Narrative Features program, the film is produced by Jenn Paul, Vince Buda, Floyd Kane and co-produced by Kulbinder Saran Caldwell. Exec producers on the film are Robin Cass, Sandra Cunningham and Jennifer Ouano. The Toronto-set film takes place in the year 2049 where the city’s poor are confined to an island called “The Burn.” The Canadian doc Geek Girls, directed by Gina Hara, will also screen at the fest, as will the shorts Akashi, from producer/writer/director/actor Mayumi Yoshida, and Sophia, from writer/director Zsofia Opra-Szabo.