Bron heads into production on its latest feature

Production is underway in Vancouver on Bron Studios’ latest feature film project, Solitary. The project is written and directed by Nate Parker, who also stars in the indie feature about a wrongfully imprisoned man (played by David Oyelowo, pictured) who endures the mental torture of seven years of solitary confinement before he is released into a world in which self-isolation is the new normal.

In addition to Oyelowo, the project stars Olivia Washington, Barry Pepper And Jimmie Fails.

The announcement comes four years after Bron coproduced Birth of a Nation, written and directed by Parker. Following its world premiere, the project gathered significant momentum and was discussed in Oscar contention until it surfaced that Parker and cowriter Jean McGianni Celestin had been accused of rape in 1999. Parker was acquitted of all charges, while Celestin’s conviction was overturned on appeal. Parker and Celestin’s accuser died by suicide in 2012. Parker has always maintained his innocence since the accusation was first made in 1999.

In addition to writing and directing, Parker will produce Solitary alongside Aaron L. Gilbert of BRON Studios, Christina Lee Storm on behalf of Yoruba Saxon Productions and Oyelowo. Jason Cloth of Creative Wealth Media is executive producer.

Melanie Windle joins the Whistler Film Festival

Former Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television manager of programming Melanie Windle has joined the Whistler Film Festival Society (WFF) as its content summit manager.

Responsible for the programming and production of the WFF’s Content Summit – which runs from Dec. 1 to 20 during the festival and is set to be delivered virtually for 2020, the summit is expected to feature various networking opportunities, workshops, information sessions, conversations and masterclasses. The B.C.-based festival will announce its Content Summit program this October. Based in Calgary and reporting to managing director Angela Heck, her first official day on the job was Monday (Sept. 21).

In her most recent role with the Canadian Academy, the producer and manger’s duties included overseeing the Canadian Screen Week industry conference, the Canadian Academy Directors Program for Women and Members Lounge. Notably, when the pandemic hit and resulted in this year’s Canadian Screen Week being cancelled, she is credited with quickly pivoting and producing the Academy’s first-ever virtual event series Members Lounge Redux.

A current participant in the inaugural cohort for the 2020 BANFF Spark Accelerator for Women in the Business of Media, Windle’s resume includes serving as a creative producer for Carmilla producer Shaftesbury; a producer, mentor and facilitator for the City Life Film Project, an outreach co-venture between Temple Street Productions, The Remix Project and Team Seven; and president and founder of Toronto-based boutique production company with Courtney Graham.

Makeover series Clothes Minded rolls

Fuse Media, OUTtv and Vice Studios have joined forces for Clothes Minded (working title, 8 x 30 minutes).

Previously announced as being in development last year with OUTtv and Vice Studios – Vice Media Group’s global production and distribution division – production is now underway on the makeover series, which started rolling earlier this month in Canada and the U.S.

Hosted by gender non-conforming model and activist Richie Shazam and musician/artist/activist Lucas Silveria, Clothes Minded focuses on transgender and gender non-confirming young adults, helping them become more comfortable and find a new look to celebrate their identity. Adhering to COVID-19 guidance and protocols, all crew and contributors are social distancing and using personal protective equipment (PPE), according to a press release. Produced with the participation of the Telus Fund and The Bell Fund, the series is set to premiere globally in early 2021 on Fuse and OUTtv.

Knowledge Network unveils Search and Rescue: North Shore

British Columbia-based Knowledge Network has ordered the five-part cinematic docuseries Search and Rescue: North Shore from Vancouver indie Peg Leg Films. The series will follow the more than 40 volunteer members of North Shore Rescue (NSR) as they locate, provide medical attention to and rescue individuals in distress throughout the rugged mountains, canyons and forests of North Vancouver. The North Shore Rescue team serves as one of 79 volunteer ground search and rescue organizations that operate throughout British Columbia.

Search and Rescue: North Shore is executive produced by Murray Battle and Patrice Ramsay. It was created by Peg Leg’s Grant Baldwin and Jenny Rustemeyer, who respectively serve as director and producer on the series.

Search and Rescue: North Shore premieres Nov. 10 at 9 p.m. (PT) on Knowledge Network. The series will also be available to stream across Canada via the Knowledge Network website and on the Knowledge Network app.

With files from Realscreen