Special Geminis for Greene, Robertson

Actors Graham Greene and George R. Robertson will get special awards at the Gemini Awards. The Earle Grey Award, a special Gem honoring an outstanding body of work, will this year go to Greene (Dances with Wolves) in recognition of his 20 years in the biz, while Robertson will receive the Gemini Humanitarian Award for his work on behalf of underprivileged children.

The prize comes with a $10,000 donation to the winners’ charity of choice, in this case the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which helps African women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Both prizes will be awarded during the Gemini industry gala on Dec 12.

Discovery call for proposals

Discovery Channel has issued its second call for independent producers to submit proposals for new shows since launching a revamped programming focus earlier this year.

The new focus favors flashier, more entertaining shows, aimed primarily at males 18 to 54.

Discovery attributes a 60% jump in primetime viewers over last year to this shift, which has already given rise to shows such as Handbook of the Freaky, Lost Nukes and Zapped.

Submissions, due by Jan. 14, may include hour-long and limited series with the following themes: how things work, mysteries, spectacular machines, and accessible science.

Principals buy Studio Post

Four veteran principals of Studio Post have purchased the Edmonton post-production company from CanWest Global. Mark Wood, Steve Nichols, Andy Toms and Bill Hamilton made the move under the name Octane 5ive Corp.

Studio Post’s credits includes processing, dailies, graphics, audio editing, duplication and full electronic post-production for MOWs such as The Sheldon Kennedy Story and Burn: The Robert Wraight Story, and feature films such as Ginger Snaps: Unleashed and Intern Academy.

Doc filmmakers needed

The National Film Board of Canada is looking for up-and-coming English- and French-speaking documentary filmmakers for its 2005 Momentum program.

The program consists initially of seminars, Jan. 17-21, to hone the skills of filmmakers. After that, candidates submit a proposal to either the English or French programming committees.

Five filmmakers (four English, one French) will be chosen to spend an additional seven weeks to complete their docs. The theme this year is social issues.

Applicants must have one documentary credit, be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, and an Ontario resident. The deadline is Dec. 10.