In seven days Milla Jojovich’s on-screen battle against killer zombies made $3.1 million in Canada and another US$28.3 million south of the border, making Resident Evil: Apocalypse far and away the most successful Canadian film of the year, besting all other contenders with a domestic per theater average of $11,800.

Even if you know absolutely nothing about the new CTV series Instant Star, you could probably piece together its basic story by skimming the resume of exec producer Stephen Stohn.

Ten days, 328 movies, one drunken alien and one dead, lamented cat later, the Toronto International Film Festival called it a wrap on Sept. 18, declaring as a success a fest that saw both major changes to its programming of Canadian films, and the debut of its new codirector and crown prince, Noah Cowan.

Montreal: Montreal World Film Festival founder and director Serge Losique stood defiant this past week, heating up the war of words between his fest and its government backers by several degrees.

Ivan Reitman has spent over 30 years putting Canadians on the big screen, from early David Cronenberg and Eugene Levy to big-name stars Dan Aykroyd and Tom Green. Now, you can add national icons Julian, Ricky and Bubbles to that list.

Patricia Phillips is back in business following Alliance Atlantis’ acquisition of her Great North Productions and the subsequent closure of AAC’s film and TV ops.

Ferns back in the game

Do digital channels count? That’s one of the questions now on the minds of CRTC commissioners following two days of hearings in Gatineau, QC – where stakeholders debated the finer points of CHUM Television’s proposed buyout of its stricken, western rival Craig Media.

Vancouver: Bob Scarabelli, president and CEO at Vancouver post-production house Rainmaker, died Sept. 8 of an apparent heart attack at age 48.

For 15 years Studio B Productions has built an international reputation with coproduction titles like Yvon of the Yukon, What About Mimi? and D’Myna Leagues. Even with that track record, the upcoming MIPCOM market is a coming-of-age milestone for the Vancouver animation house. This is the first time the company has launched a new, proprietary series all by itself.

Rarely do numbers get so bent out of shape as when TV ratings are involved and networks have something to prove. Witness the conflicting and creatively written statements issued after the Sept. 16 showdown between CTV’s Canadian Idol and the new eps of Joey, The Apprentice and Survivor: Vanuatu on Global. Apparently both networks won. Also, black is now white and we have always been at war with Eurasia.

Director Michael Dowse left TIFF on a high note, taking $30,000 and the prize for best Canadian feature film for his club-hopping documentary It’s All Gone Pete Tong and the pic’s ‘funny, engaging and flawless portrayal of a flawed character as well as for its ability to capture the infectious rhythms of the club scene.’