Director Anita Doron’s romantic drama Maya & Samar (pictured) will make its world premiere at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece on Nov. 4.

Written by Canadian novelist and screenwriter Tamara Faith Berger (Steal Away), the Canada/Greece copro follows a love affair between two women from conflicting cultures. Nicolette Pearse (Maybe It’s You) and Amanda Babaei Vieira star.

The film is produced by Robert Lantos (Eastern Promises) and Laura Lanktree (Crimes of the Future) of Toronto’s Serendipity Films, and Julia Rosenberg (Out Standing) of Toronto-based January Media. Nicholas Alavanos (The Last Taxi Driver) of Greek prodco Filmiki is a co-producer, while Steve Solomos (The Shrouds) is supervising producer.

Montreal’s VVS Films is the film’s Canadian distributor. Distant Horizon is handling international sales.

The film was supported by Telefilm Canada, the Greek Film Centre, Distant Horizon, Bell Media, CBC, Ontario Creates, the Harold Greenberg Fund and Ekome.

Louis Vachon slated to become BCE board chair in 2026

Louis Vachon, the former president and CEO of the National Bank of Canada, is slated to become the next chair of BCE’s board of directors following the completion of former Royal Bank of Canada CEO Gordon Nixon’s term in 2026.

The nomination is contingent on Vachon being re-elected as a director by BCE shareholders, which would take place at the annual general shareholder meeting on May 7.

Vachon joined the BCE board in 2022, and serves on its Management Resources and Compensation Committee as well as its Risk and Pension Fund Committee.

“I would like to sincerely thank Gord for his leadership, guidance and counsel as we’ve re-energized Bell. And I’m thrilled that Louis has agreed to serve as our next chair,” said Mirko Bibic, president and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada, in a statement. “Shareholders have benefitted from his leadership and corporate governance expertise over the past few years, and I look forward to working with him as chair.”

Boat Rocker launches The Next Step-inspired live show

Boat Rocker Studios is trying out some new brand moves, teaming up with MRG Live to launch a touring show inspired by Boat Rocker’s The Next Step, featuring choreography from the long-running live-action teen drama series

The Next Step: Legacy World Tour will make stops in Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Australia during its February-to-April run next year. Ticket presales for the live show began on Oct. 29.

YTV is the Canadian broadcaster for the series’ 20 x 30-minute 10th season. Earlier this month, two of the show’s international broadcasters, CBBC and iPlayer, announced a commission for a spinoff titled The Next Step: Cheer.

Canadian series and talent to compete in the 2026 ARTAS

A number of Canadian series and Canadian talent will be competing in the 2026 American Reality Television Awards (ARTAS), presented by the Academy of Reality Television.

The CTV reality competition The Amazing Race Canada (Insight Productions) is up for two honours at the awards’ 12th edition, nominated for Outstanding Art Direction and Best Editing.

Also vying for a trophy is CBC’s unscripted paranormal comedy Ghosting with Luke Hutchie and Matthew Finlan (Blue Ant Studios), which is nominated for International Reality Series.

In addition, Canadian reality personality and former NFL quarterback Jesse Palmer is up for Outstanding Host for his work on the U.S. dating competition The Golden Bachelorette, broadcast on ABC.

Image courtesy of Serendipity Point Films