Distributor opens U.S. thriller on 100 Canadian screens, while French sister gets set to release its blockbuster actioner Nitro on DVD

Cronenberg, Susan Coyne and Denis McGrath among scribes on the march on Wednesday in support of U.S. counterparts. WGC’s Parker looks ahead to talks in 2008

Joel Rice put in charge of new office, looking to turn out MOWs, series and reality for U.S. networks and cable channels

Live-action series from Decode and Shaftesbury picked up by German broadcaster

Another adaptation of a Patricia Highsmith novel is in the works, this time under Sienna Films, which is shooting the psychological thriller Cry of the Owl on location in and around Toronto. Directed by Brit Jamie Thraves (The Low Down), it stars Paddy Considine (Hot Fuzz) as a troubled man trying to escape a tumultuous marriage when he becomes infatuated with a girl, played by Julia Stiles (The Bourne Ultimatum). Their meeting leads to a relationship with dire consequences. Owl also features Canuck thesp Caroline Dhavernas (Surviving My Mother).

Audiences were up slightly on Sunday for the Ceeb’s last CFL final for at least five years — peaking at 3.7 million — as Saskatchewan rode over Winnipeg

New winter schedule stands to cash in on WGA walkout, say buyers, giving a boost to new arrivals like The Border, though Sophie and jPod will have to work a little harder

Domestic titles and distributors are laying low as Hollywood releases go wide for the U.S. holiday weekend, but Alliance hopes to scare up some business with Stephen King’s Mist

Pubcaster looks to new one-hour dramas The Border and JPod to fill primetime spots as series including The Tudors, Intelligence and Dragon’s Den bow out next month

Former Alliance Atlantis exec says carriers are closing the gap with Europe and Asia at conference, though services still need to be cheaper

Laurie Lynd was sceptical, but Mongrel thinks his gay hockey comedy can hold its own amid holiday heavies like Fred Claus and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium