Telefilm Canada has written its first cheques for 2005/06, backing six French-language movies and one English project through its Quebec office and the Canada Feature Film Fund to the tune of $5 million. The agency has also cancelled its fall deadline for French-only movies, citing an already overworked budget.

‘We received so many excellent projects that more than half of the funding available for the year has been committed,’ says Michel Pradier, head of Telefilm’s French-language operations and its Quebec office. ‘The number of submissions was far beyond what we expected, clearly demonstrating the industry’s creative vitality.’

The feds received applications for 41 feature films, 32 of them in French, for its Jan. 17 deadline. The funding cycle was open to all four of Telefilm’s regions. Decisions for the remaining three are expected shortly. The six French-language films are:

* Les 3 ptits cochons, about a trio of adulterous brothers, from Christal Films. Produced by Christian Larouche and Pierre Gendron; directed by Patrick Huard.

* The mother-daughter drama Annie croyait aux esprits, from Productions 23. Produced by Réal Chabot and Lorraine Dufour; directed by Denis Chouinard.

* Cheech, a whodunit from Go Films. Produced by Nicole Robert; directed by Patrice Sauvé.

* Comme tout le monde, the over-the-top exploits of a game-show winner and a coproduction from Amérique Films. Produced by Martin Paul-Hus; directed by Pierre-Paul Renders.

* Maurice Richard, a biopic from Cinémaginaire. Produced by Denise Robert and Daniel Louis; directed by Charles Binamé.

* La Rage de l’ange, the gritty story of kids and their lives on the street, from Galafilm. Produced by Francine Allaire and Arnie Gelbart; directed by Dan Bigras.

The seventh will be funded through the regional envelope for English-language features that request less than $1 million. It is the supernatural thriller Puffball, another copro from Amérique. Produced by Paul-Has; directed by Nicolas Roeg.

Telefilm has extended its next deadline for French films to April 18.

-www.telefilm.gc.ca