La Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC) is supporting promotional projects that focus on young Quebec audiences for seven features through its Actions de promotion originales destinées aux jeunes publics program.

Through its support, SODEC looks to stimulate the Quebec film industry by increasing young audiences’ attendance at feature films. For this initiative, SODEC provides financial support to the films’ promotional project focusing on young audiences, but not the film itself, a SODEC spokesperson told Playback Daily.

The initiative called for producers and distributors to collaborate on developing promotional strategies aimed at young audiences right from the production stage.

The seven films and their selected promotional projects include Chandler Levack’s sophomore feature Mile End Kicks (Zapruder Films, Banner House Productions). The film, distributed in Quebec by Entract Films, plans to create a strong digital presence through social media and collaborations with influencers as well as targeted advertising. During the film’s premieres there will be performances by local bands and retro-styled promotional items.

Mile End Kicks, set in 2011 against the indie music scene in Montreal’s Mile End neighbourhood, accompanies a woman who moves to the city to write a book about Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill.

There are three films selected distributed by Maison 4:3. They are Au revoir Pluton (Voyelles Films), written and directed by Sarianne Cormier. Les Botanïx (CarpeDiem Film & TV, Stacka, Animar Media Studio), directed by Benoit Godbout and written by Marie-France Landry and Anastasia Michailidis; and Lydia et le vaisseau des tempêtes (10e Ave Productions) directed by Nancy Florence Savard, Émilie Rosas and Philippe Arseneau Bussières and written by Rosas.

For its promotional project, Au revoir Pluton is creating a podcast, hosted by the film’s actors and young audience members. In several regions of Quebec, teacher ambassadors will also work to promote it on social media, in schools and through partners. The children’s film accompanies Pluto on her quest for fame as she attempts to join the official dance troupe of the solar system.

The animated film Les Botanïx plans the creation of a gardening box, distributed in schools across Quebec and at screenings of the film, incorporating items from the film. In addition, it plans to create a mobile game based on the film’s universe. Les Botanïx tells the story of two children who team up with nature creatures to save their grandmother.

Lydia et le vaisseau des tempêtes‘ plan includes the development of interactive experiences for young audiences based on the film’s world and the creation of tie-in products and digital content supported by an SEO strategy and social media presence. The animated film tells the story of a young girl who joins the crew of flying ship in order to rescue her older brother who was kidnapped by a sorcerer.

Rémi St-Michel’s h264-distributed Faux Gun (Super chouette projet) plans partnerships with businesses along with digital initiatives and exclusive events. It is also creating a clothing line and a podcast along with special screenings. The crime drama tells the story of a man who is lured into robbing a credit union after bragging about robbing a convenience store to his friends.

Mélanie Charbonneau’s Furies (Écho Média), distributed by Immina Films, plans an influencer campaign and to partner with an association that promotes physical activity among young girls in secondary schools. It will also partner with a youth magazine and be present at women’s sporting events. Furies, written by Gabrielle Côté, follows a group of women that form a roller derby team after losing their time at the ice rink.

The TVA Films-distributed Ma belle-mère est une sorcière (Attraction, Productions La Fête), directed by Joëlle Desjardins Paquette and written by Dominic James and Christine Doyon, rounds out the SODEC-supported projects. Promotion support includes plans to tour family events and movie theatres with the RV featured in the film. At each stop, promotional items will be available and people will have the opportunity to have their photo taken in a photo booth. The film follows a teenager who is convinced that her stepmother is actually an evil witch.

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