Whistler Film Festival doubles cohort for 2025 Screenwriters Lab

WFF has partnered with Capilano University to host the first phase of the program.

Brandon Cox marks feature debut with Other Animal’s Last Moon

Shawn Doyle leads the horror-western, currently in production in northern Ontario.

Deals: TVO Docs, Spin Master, New Mountain, Avanti-Toast

Amy Miller’s doc Manufacturing the Threat finds a new streaming home, Spin Master strikes linear deals for Unicorn Academy and Vida the Vet, and more.

Sundance Institute selects Ryan Bobkin for Producers Lab

Bobkin is attending the Lab with his feature People You Follow, an adaptation of Hayley Gene Penner’s memoir of the same name.

YouTube overtakes Spotify as top podcast platform in Canada: report

Triton Digital’s new data reveals the growing popularity of podcasts, shifting platform dynamics and evolving listener habits.

Hot Sheet

Hot Sheet: Squid Game leaps in Canadian demand

Peacock’s Love Island USA continued to hold the highest demand among overall and digital original series in early July.

Corus Entertainment to shut down five children’s channels

Nickelodeon, Disney XD, Disney Jr., La Chaine Disney and ABC Spark are set to close on Sept. 1.

Hyperlocal production model could drive growth, says report

EXCLUSIVE: The Hyperlocal Ontario Action Plan examines how cities like Kingston could sub in as production hubs as locals are priced out of Toronto and Hamilton.

Indigenous Screen Office releases three-year strategic plan

The organization also released its 2024-25 annual report, with $11.9 million provided to 222 recipients during the fiscal year.

Quebecor Fund allocates $719K for production, export programs

Two features and two distribution companies are being supported under the fund’s film production assistance program and export assistance program.

Wattpad Webtoon Studios rebrands, names new president

David Madden has been elevated to president of the rebranded Webtoon Productions, with Maximilian Jo heading up its strategic initiatives.

Forte’s How I Got Here receives two Daytime Emmy noms

The reality series from Toronto’s Forté Entertainment is up for Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program.

In Brief: Over 20 Canadian shorts set for Fantasia world premieres

Plus: Neshama Entertainment expands its executive team, Canadian short films make their way to Switzerland, and more.

Antipode acquires international sales rights to Home Free

Avi Federgreen’s debut feature was sold to Virgil Films in May for a U.S. digital and theatrical release.

Canadian streamer Chalo TV expands feature slate

Co-founder Rebeka Herron discusses the current strategy for the SVOD, including plans to commission original productions.