CaribbeanTales Black Incubator and Studio Access Project and the CineFam Limitless Incubator have chosen 12 emerging and mid-career filmmakers to participate in The Big Pitch.

Funded by Telefilm, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, and the Canada Media Fund, in partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), The Big Pitch allows the selected participants to pitch their projects to an industry audience at TIFF.

This year’s participants include Fennella Bruce (Backbone), Aeyliya Husain (The Fifth Region), Asis Sethi (A Bloody Mess), Muniyra Douglas (The Glitch), Nauzanin Knight (My Lyric I Never Knew), Roble Issa (Mending a Crack in the Sky), Suki Motoyi (Beyond Blood), Ana de Lara (Good Girls Don’t), Kai-Little White (Gary’s Magic Fort), Kristen Lambie (Pretty For A Whack Girl), Kirsty Plange and Daisy Komujuni (Oakwood), and Yasmin Evering-Kerr (The Onyx Butterfly).

The event takes place on Sept. 11, followed by the CaribbeanTales Media Group’s Red Hot networking mixer.

WildBrain extends Eric Ellenbogen’s contract as CEO and vice-chair

WildBrain has renewed CEO Eric Ellenbogen’s contract for another three years, with the option to transition to executive chair during his second term.

The contract renewal comes as a result of Ellenbogen’s (pictured right) strategic planning, which has “bolstered the company’s core businesses, while opening new growth areas and expanding into new regions,” according to a news release.

Under his tenure, the company has expanded its management team, as well as its operations in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America, increased its content slate, and more.

Ellenbogen’s senior executive experience spans over 30 years, serving as president for companies such as Broadway Video Entertainment, Golden Books Family Entertainment, and Marvel Enterprises. He also co-founded Classic Media, which was acquired by DreamWorks Animation in 2012.

TIFF reveals its 2022 Industry Selects lineup

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has revealed its TIFF Industry Selects titles, comprising 10 films that aren’t in the official selection but are available for worldwide acquisition.

Canadian Avan Jogia’s debut feature film Door Mouse, produced by Jason Ross Jallet and Kyle Mann, is among the titles. Others include: U.S.-based filmmakers Bill Pohlad’s Dreamin’ Wild, produced by Pohlad’s banner River Road Entertainment and Innisfree Pictures; Steve Buscemi’s The Listener, produced by Hantz Motion Pictures and Olive Productions; and Lofty Nathan’s Harka, coproduced by France’s Cinenovo, Luxembourg’s Tarantula, Tunisia’s Cinetelefilms, and Belgium’s Wrong Men North.

The list is rounded out by: U.K.-based Georgia Oakley’s Blue Jean (BBC Films, Kleio Films); Neil Maskell’s Klokkenluider (Erebus Pictures); Hilmar Oddsson’s Driving Mum (Ursus Parvus) of Iceland; Kasia Rosłaniec’s Salt Lake, coproduced by Poland’s Mañana and Sweden’s Common Ground Pictures; Laura Mora’s Kings of the World, coproduced by Colombia’s Ciudad Lunar, Mexico’s Talipot Studio, Luxembourg’s Iris Productions, France’s Tu Vas Voir, and Norway’s Mer Films; and Iranian feature film from Arian Vazirdaftari, Without Her (Fadak Films).

CFC announces 2022 cohort for CBC Actors Conservatory

The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) and CBC have selected eight actors to participate in the 2022 CBC Actors Conservatory.

The six-month on-screen acting program, which will take place at CFC’s campus in Toronto from Sept. 6 until March 3, 2023, provides the selected participants with tailored mentorship through workshops, industry sessions, and on-camera opportunities.

The eight actors are: Augusto Bitter (Coroner), Kat Khan (TallBoyz), Isabella Shibuta (Designing Christmas), Leishe Meyboom (Locke and Key), Riley Davis (Sniper: Assassin’s End), Alsseny Camara (Brother), Rachael Dolan (Workin’ Moms), and Ivy Miller (Ming’s Dynasty).

Images courtesy of CaribbeanTales Media Group. L-R (top row): Asis Sethi, Kirsty Plange, Daisy Komujuni, Nauzanin Knight (middle row): Roble Issa, Suki Motoyi, Aeyliya Husain, Kristen Lambie (bottom row): Fennella Bruce, Ana de Lara, Muniyra Douglas, Kai-Little White