The large-format division of Shaftesbury Films has been given a US$3-million grant for its follow-up to Bugs! and will shoot Flight of the Butterflies in 2008

The Toronto company is partnering with Hearst to morph the world’s top-selling young women’s magazine into television early next year

Mega-purchase of Alliance Atlantis brings $53 per share for stockholders and pink slips for administrative staff

Feature first-timer Michael Melski starts work on his comic drama about the weed trade under exec producer Thom Fitzgerald

The B.C.-made action series has been axed by its U.S. channel, though Global is keeping it on the schedule for fall. No jobs lost, says Insight

The outdoorsy cable channel is debuting its new acquisition Excellent Adventures next month, and has the Vancouver-made Word Travels set for January

Junior minister from Quebec moves up to cabinet following Tuesday shuffle, though industry watchers wonder if she’ll have any more pull with the PM than Bev Oda

Kirstine Layfield hopes a bookish, back-to-school mood in September will help the adaptation of St. Urbain’s Horseman stand up to Survivor and the debut of Back to You

The 2D toon by Studio B has gone to the Voom HD channel, though distributor Bejuba! is eyeing other sales to the U.S.

The Decode cartoon continues its merchandising march with the signing of a U.K. firm to act as its licensing agent in Europe

The aboriginal-aimed channel has added the Canadian-mades Mixed Blessings and Rabbit Fall to its fall schedule, next to reruns of Northern Exposure and the Aussie import Remote Area Nurse

Nearly every show made last year by the Toronto prodco is up for at least one DGC award, led by ReGenesis with five.