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Cronenberg, Natali score at OMDC
The latest offerings from Vincenzo Natali, David Cronenberg and Sarah Polley have received financial backing from the Ontario Media Development Corporation, which recently handed out $1.6 million as part of its Film Fund. Twelve new features will split the money, which enables producers to complete their financing on a ‘last-in basis.’
‘Remarkable’ growth in Quebec audiences
Nearly half the population of Quebec, 3.3 million people, went to a homegrown movie in 2009, according to stats released by the government agency that tracks cultural consuming habits.
Look to former TV execs for funding
A chronic shortage of early-stage angel and venture capital investment in Canadian digital content has produced a novel source of financing to get new innovations off the ground: former top TV executives.
Dufferin Gate for sale
Peace Arch Entertainment is fielding buyer interest in Dufferin Gate Productions after putting the Toronto studio up for sale with a $3.9 million price tag. Peace Arch Television president Michael Taylor confirmed the sale. The Butterick Road studio in west Toronto became a non-core asset as his company is mostly withdrawing from moviemaking to focus on TV production and film distribution in North America and internationally.
Docmakers mourn Simard
Documentary filmmakers are in shock after the suicide of Marcel Simard, founder of Les Productions Virage and one of the most respected producers of social issue docs in Quebec.
Goldman Sachs moves to block Shaw deal
Goldman Sachs & Co. has asked the Ontario Court of Appeal to block Shaw Communications and U.S. bondholders from taking control of a restructured Canwest Global Communications.
Ottawa to ‘open doors’ on foreign ownership
The federal Conservative government signaled in the recent Throne Speech that it will introduce legislation to open Canada’s communications industry to foreign ownership.
Doyle renewed, Border cancelled
The Newfoundland-based dramedy Republic of Doyle will return to the CBC for a second season.
Corus puts forth news channel
Corus Entertainment is proposing to launch what it describes as a ‘hyper-local’ news channel serving communities in Western Canada. The would-be service, tentatively called Local1, has applied for a regional Category 2 licence with the CRTC. It plans to air news, weather and other information on a multi-zoned screen similar to that of CP24 in Toronto – complete with news ticker, sports scores and traffic cams.
Cost-cutting lifts CTV profits
Despite losing $89 million in 2009, cost-cutting and one-time gains led CTVglobemedia to a profitable fourth quarter, minority shareholder Torstar Corp. has reported. Torstar, which has a 20% stake in CTVgm, said its share of earnings recorded in the latest quarter to Nov. 30 was $30.3 million, against a loss of $114.2 million in the same period of 2008 when steep TV asset writedowns were posted.
Court must okay fee-for-carriage
CRTC draws up plan — but won’t move forward without legal green light. No fees for CBC. Spending levels restored on drama
Take 5 to make Camelot for Starz
Chalk up another one for John Weber, set to shoot a new take on King Arthur and company this summer in Ireland
Dragons’ fires up 1.9 million
Lofty numbers for season ender caps strong fifth outing for CBC reality
Online beats TV, says study
Canadians spent more time clicking than flipping channels for the first time last quarter
Green series sells to Sprout
Aussie copro dirtgirlworld to bow on PBS spin-off
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