POP makes first contribution

In its first year, the $6-million Promotion of Programming Fund, financed by Global Television and administered by the CTF, has announced $1.5 million in support for the promotion of 12 TV productions.

‘This fund builds upon the CTF’s support for distinctively Canadian productions and will extend more promotional opportunities to Canadian producers,’ says Louise Baillargeon, VP of the CTF’s Licence Fee Program. ‘This increased visibility will help to support a Canadian star system and build up a following for television productions made right here at home.’

Recipients include: The Associates, Blue Murder, Cold Squad, Edgemont, Our Hero, Made in Canada, Da Vinci’s Inquest, L’Or, Tom Stone, Si la tendance se maintient, Asbestos and Music Hall.

CanWest swallows the Post

CanWest Global Communications has acquired Conrad Black’s remaining 50% interest in the National Post, giving the Winnipeg-based broadcaster full ownership and control of the fledgling newspaper.

The new owner says it ‘ intends to take a much more active role’ in the newspaper’s management, although the paper’s newsroom management must remain separate from the company’s broadcast news outlets, as mandated by the CRTC in last month’s licence-renewal decision.

The transaction will close March 31, 2002, but will be subject to approval from the Competition Bureau.

Black and publisher David Radler will remain on the CanWest board.

Last year, CanWest bought 13 dailies and a 50% interest in the National Post from Hollinger for $3.2 billion. As part of the deal, Hollinger garnered a 15% interest in CanWest, which it will retain.

Since its launch in October 1998, the National Post has lost a reported $163 million, some of which can be attributed to the softening ad market.

CTV snags Juno Awards

CTV has secured broadcast rights for the 2002 and 2003 Juno Awards, traditionally telecast on CBC.

‘This new relationship will allow us to increase the reach of the show, not only within our own borders, but internationally as well,’ said Daisy Falle, president of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

‘CBC is understandably disappointed with CARAS’ decision in light of the fact that CBC and CARAS were engaged in serious discussion regarding the 2002 and 2003 Juno Awards,’ says CBC, which has broadcast the annual Canadian music awards for 17 years.

CTV also has broadcast rights to the Oscars and the Emmys, and will be promoting the Junos in tandem with the Oscars.

The 31st annual Juno Awards airs on CTV April 14, 2002.

Bob and Margaret wins international award

Nelvana’s Bob and Margaret has won the best primetime animated series award at the 8th World Animation Celebration.

Christie Dreyfuss, director of development for Nelvana, accepted the award on behalf of Michael Hirsh, Patrick Loubert and Clive Smith at a ceremony held in L.A. Aug. 12.

Bob and Margaret, which airs in Canada on Global Television, is based on the Academy Award-winning short Bob’s Birthday, created by David Fine and Alison Snowden, and animated by Nelvana.

Telefilm increases show at ECTS

For the second consecutive year, Telefilm Canada is participating in the ECTS Trade event, being held in London, Eng. Sept. 2-4.

Telefilm’s umbrella stand is supporting eight Canadian companies in the new media entertainment industry, almost double the number the agency supported last year.

ECTS is the only trade event where the international interactive entertainment industry gathers to focus on key technologies and product trends.

Last year, the event drew exhibitors from more than 60 countries.

Companies exhibiting under the Telefilm stand are: Alliance NumeriQC, Cinegroupe Interactif, DC Studios Canada, Dreamcatcher Interactive, Hemera Technologies, Kutoka, Nerdheaven and Strategy First.

Twelve producers go Down Under

The Ontario Media Development Corporation has selected 12 Canadian producers to attend the North Meets South: Canada-Australia-New Zealand Producers Coproduction Mission, to take place Nov. 5-17 in Australia and New Zealand.

The goal of the mission is to strengthen industry ties and increase the level of copro activity between Canadian producers and their Australian and New Zealand counterparts.

North Meets South will give delegates an overview of the two markets, introduce them to key industry decision-makers and producers, provide a platform for policy discussions, and present opportunities to forge mutually beneficial business relationships.

The 12 Canadian producers are: Derek Dorio, Distinct Features; Jennifer Jonas, New Real Pictures; Scott Kennedy, Highwire Entertainment; Phyllis Laing, Buffalo Gal Pictures; Steve Levitan, Protocol Entertainment; Caroline Maria, Cinemania; Lael McCall, Principia Productions; Anne Pick, Real to Reel Productions; Jennice Ripley, Kickham Productions; Barbara Samuels, Mindless Entertainment; Kim Todd, Original Pictures; and Marie-Claude Beauchamp, CineGroupe.

North Meets South, an initiative of the Skills Development and Marketing Initiatives department of the Ontario Media Development Corporation, is the first major Canadian copro mission to Australia and New Zealand.

The participants will be part of a larger Canadian presence at the SPAA and SPADA Conferences, facilitated by the CFTPA.

Sudbury: more than a giant nickel

The 13th annual Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival is scheduled for Sept. 17-23. The festival will screen over 100 films including features, shorts, animation, children’s fare, world cinema and documentaries. The festival also hosts a videomakers’ competition for residents of Northern Ontario with $10,000 in prize money.

This year, Cinefest’s inaugural Tribute Canadiana program will honor Paul Gross and feature films the writer/actor/director says have influenced his work.

This year’s Features Canada program at Cinefest will be launched by David Weaver’s Century Hotel and also includes Peter Lynch’s Cyberman, Gaurav Seth’s A Passage to Ottawa and Lea Pool’s Lost and Delirious.

NextFest exposes digital films

Saskatchewan will play host to NextFest, a new digital film festival to be held Oct. 22-27 in Saskatoon. Festival directors Stephen Huszar and Diana Tegenkamp say it is their intention to make the upstart festival known as a must-attend event in the industry.

‘We’re positioning ourselves as a national festival with a long-term vision, so logistics are considerable,’ says Tegenkamp. ‘We’re simultaneously building infrastructure, securing sponsors, dialoguing with filmmakers and speakers, and, most importantly, planning out the best ways to program and screen digital content.’

The five nights of screenings, held predominantly at The Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon, will feature a mix of digital features and shorts including Atanarjuat – The Fast Runner, documentary 13 Seconds: The Kent State Shootings, as well as a retrospective on the short works of Helen Lee and Garnet Hertz.

Tegenkamp and Huszar have extended the deadline for NextFest film submissions to Sept. 28, due to the overwhelming expression of interest from Canadian digital filmmakers. All submissions are required to have at least one digital component within its structure.

The festival is being produced with the support of the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Association, and sponsors CTV, CBC and Telefilm Canada. An official film lineup should be ready for early October.

For more information, go to www.nextfest2001.com.