Reality programs including The Big Experiment, The Next Great Leader and TV Diaries generate interest from Europe, Middle East

Former head of production moved to distribution and sales wing, handling catalogue for all of Canada

Director for Ontario and Nunavut leaving organization after 21 years

Toronto production house scores development backing from Aver Media

The following is an excerpt from the official translation of a speech delivered by Leader of the Opposition Stéphane Dion at the annual conference of the Association des Producteurs de Films et de Télévision du Québec in Quebec City on April 29.

• Peace Arch’s The Tudors has been renewed for a third season by Showtime and production on new episodes is scheduled to begin in June in Ireland, going to air in 2009. The series airs domestically on CBC.

• Sturla Gunnarsson has taken over as president of the Directors Guild of Canada’s national board, following the organization’s recent AGM in Calgary and replacing longtime boss Alan Goluboff. Gunnarsson will serve a two-year term.

If only Don McKellar would strip to the waist and paint himself green, it would be easier for Canadian movies to get noticed during the summer rush. (Or, if he’s not available, how about Peter Kelaghan? Steve Smith?) Sadly, no such luck. And so we ask:

The broadcasters for the animated program Magi-Nation are CBC and SRC. Incorrect information appeared in the April 14 issue.

Among the highlights at this year’s Hot Docs, which wrapped April 27, were true-life crime documentaries that reeked with the smell of death as they probed murder most foul and engaging.

NDP leader Jack Layton finds ally in porn star and former funding lightning rod Nina Hartley, amid renewed calls to rewrite censor bill

Key player in Livent fraud trial testifies about dealings with Drabinsky and Gottlieb, describes pressure to go along with alleged kickbacks