* `Orphaned’ specialty channels…

Montreal: Telescene Film Group has secured an overall production financing facility of us$72 million (cdn$106.5 million) which the Montreal-based producer says will be used exclusively for pilots and series episodes produced under the Action Adventure Network banner….

Touted as the highest-budgeted miniseries ever produced in British Columbia, Aftershock, now in post-production, is Rainmaker Digital Pictures'(Vancouver-based Rainmaker Entertainment’s post-production and visual effects arm) largest assignment to date….

No apology required…

Montreal: The fourth edition of Fantasia, The International Festival of Fantasy and Action Cinema, unspools July 23-Aug. 15 with more than 90 films on the program. Notables include David Koepp’s world premiere of Stir of Echoes, Japanese director Shusuke Kaneko’s Gamera…

* HBO buys Worst Witch…

Toronto production company Devine Entertainment has entered into a distribution deal with Utah’s Feature Films for Families….

Vancouver: Vidatron Entertainment Group has changed its name to Peace Arch Entertainment Group and has consolidated shares….

Montreal: sodec has announced that a jury commissioned to name the organizers of a new film festival in Quebec City has chosen Images du Nouveau Monde, piloted by Yves Rousseau. Four proposals were examined based on the call for tenders developed…

WIV is proceeding with plans to launch a new specialty television channel in partnership with The Globe & Mail – Report on Business….

Telescene Film Group reports the delivery of 28 half-hours for the first quarter period ending May 31. Series deliveries include 13 of Student Bodies, three of The Hunger and six each of the sitcom series Big Wolf on Campus and Misguided…

Vancouver: The worst-kept secret in Vancouver production circles is now official….