New coproductions at Cinar

Cinar Corp. has started production on two new 26-episode animation series coproductions: Creep School, partnered with France’s Alphanim S.A. and Sweden’s Happy Life and commissioned by Teletoon in Canada and France 3; and Potatoes & Dragons, also coproduced with Alphanim and licensed by Teletoon, France 3 and Canal J in France, CITV in the U.K. and ABC in Australia. Cinar has a minority stake in both shows.

The Montreal company also announced the start of production on the fourth cycle (13 half-hours) of Mona the Vampire, a majority Cinar coproduction with Alphanim.

Cinar is reporting entertainment sector revenues, capitalized production and library sales, of $23.1 million for the nine-month period ended Aug. 31, down from $32.8 million during the same period last year.

NFB, France 2 call for proposals

The National Film Board’s international coproduction unit and France 2’s documentary unit have issued a call for proposals for two 90-minute feature-length documentaries.

The NFB and France 2 will act as coproducers and will be actively involved in the various development and production phases. The two documentaries will be broadcast in primetime in both English- and French-language versions.

In its call, the NFB says the subject should deal with current social issues and be of interest to a mainstream audience and demonstrate a daring, original and novel vision. The board will distribute internationally.

Interested Canadian and French production companies are invited to submit proposals, at the pre-development stage, no later than 5 p.m. Dec. 12.

For more information, go to: www.nfb.ca.

SMPIA’s Showcase 2002

The Saskatchewan Motion Pictures Industry Association’s Showcase 2002 (Nov. 14-16 in Regina), which aims to celebrate homegrown talent as well as promote future filmmakers and industry professionals, will feature a professional development focus on emerging technologies, including HD and digital videography.

The event will feature master classes, workshops and seminars, which begin Nov. 14 and continue through the next day. Participants will have access to the best and the brightest in the region, working closely with successful Saskatchewan filmmakers and industry professionals. Events take place at the Regina Inn and Conference Centre and culminate with the Showcase Awards Gala on Nov. 16.