Montreal: Both Telefilm Canada and SODEC have announced their second-round (2003/04) feature film funding decisions.

Telefilm’s Quebec office has accepted eight projects out of the 28 filed before the April 28 deadline, seven in French and one in English. Funding commitments include $6.1 million from the selective component of the Canada Feature Film Fund, $4.9 million from the performance component and $841,785 from the Licence Fee Program.

SODEC has retained seven feature film projects out of 24. Total funding demand for the 24 filed projects is over $18 million. Because program funding has not been finalized (based on the Quebec June 12 budget), SODEC’s overall commitment to these projects has not been finalized.

Telefilm’s selective results include Comment conquerir l’Amerique en une nuit from novelist/first-time director Dany Laferriere (Les Productions Cinematographiques Boreal Films/ distributor Films Equinoxe), C.R.A.Z.Y. from director Jean-Marc Vallee (Cirrus Productions and Crazy Films/TVA Films) and Dans une galaxie pres de chez vous from director Claude Desrosiers (Zone3/TVA Films), a sci-fi comedy based on the popular Quebec children’s TV series.

Telefilm will also support Familia from first-time director Louise Archambault (Microscope/Christal Films Distribution) and Cherry Docs, directed by Mark Adam (Galafilm Productions/Film Tonic), a drama based on David Gow’s critically acclaimed play of the same name.

Three additional projects will also receive funding from the CFFF’s performance component: the sequel to the successful family film L’Incomparable Mademoiselle C., directed by Richard Ciupka (Films Vision 4/Christal); Maman Last Call, directed by Francois Bouvier (Christal Films Productions/Christal); and Ma vie en cinemascope from popular director Denise Filiatrault (Cinemaginaire/Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm), a musical dramatization of the life of music-hall singer Alice Robitaille.

Two second-round film projects were selected by SODEC and Telefilm: the kids movie Dans une galazie pres de chez vous and Maman Last Call.

SODEC is backing a second youth project, Daniel et les superdogs, from director Andre Melancon (Productions La Fete/Christal).

SODEC also announced support for three auteur films, Memoires affectives from director Francis Leclerc (Palomar Films); La vie avec mon pere from director/writer Sebastien Rose (Max Films), a Telefilm first-round selection and follow-up to Rose’s social satire Comment ma mere accoucha de moi pendant sa menopause; and T.G.I.F. (Thank Golf It’s Friday) from award-winning director Robert Morin (Coop Video de Montreal/Productions 23/Christal).

SODEC will also provide production financing for the big-budget historical drama Le Survenant (Films Vision 4/AAV), based on the Germaine Guevremont novel, with Erik Canuel slated to direct.

-www.telefilm.gc.ca

-www.sodec.gouv.qc.ca