In a further step towards increased integration as a content provider and supplier, CanWest Global Communications subsidiary CanWest Entertainment (formerly Fireworks Entertainment) has launched a London, Eng.-based international distribution arm, CanWest Entertainment International….

East Coast toon talent will gather in Halifax April 23-25 for the second annual Halifax Animation Festival….

Montreal: Behaviour Communications is actively negotiating a new $40-million credit facility with a banking syndicate led by Chase Manhattan Bank. Chase’s share of the refinancing is in the order of $17.5 million. Behaviour president and ceo Bernard Legendre says talks could…

Vancouver: The latest addition to Vancouver’s busy animation scene is Atomic Cartoons, which was founded last month by four principals including Rob Davies, who was nominated for a 1999 Emmy for his directing work on Steven Spielberg Presents: Pinky, Elmyra and…

B.C. Finance Minister Joy MacPhail was wearing used suede loafers…

Levham Holdings has struck a deal to acquire Digitmation’s 4.3% interest in Sportscope Television Network, making it the controlling shareholder of Sportscope, which runs Headline Sports….

* Michel Bissonnette has been named executive vp marketing and business development at Coscient Group….

Montreal: Directors working in English-language television in Quebec have increased their minimum rates by 4% for low-budget episodic series and up to 24% for high-budget production. The new rate structure from the Quebec District Council of the Directors Guild of Canada…

Vancouver: The Communications, Energy and Paperworks Union of Canada reached a tentative agreement with the cbc April 1 which, if ratified, will end the strike by 2,000 technicians that began Feb. 17….

In a move to step up competition with the cablecos, Star Choice Communications has rolled out a new financing program offering consumers a lower down payment and monthly payments than its previous offering….

Ralph C. Ellis Enterprises has streamlined its production and distribution interests under the new umbrella Ellis Entertainment Corporation….

Montreal: Montreal-based The Multimedia Group of Canada and Holland’s European Media Support have signed a transatlantic production and distribution pact….