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Canadian films keep up in TIFF market
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.
Losique strikes back
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.
Reitman hitched to Trailer flick
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.
Former Great North boss returns
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.
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Ferns back in the game
CHUM makes pitch to CRTC for Craig purchase
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.
Rainmaker boss Scarabelli dies
Vancouver: Bob Scarabelli, president and CEO at Vancouver post-production house Rainmaker, died Sept. 8 of an apparent heart attack at age 48.
Producers prep for MIPCOM
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.
Nets clash on key night
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.
DJ mock doc best in show
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.’
Remembrance tops Pitch This
Emerging talents were given a chance to shine at Pitch This! 2004 held on Sept. 13 atop the Sutton Place Hotel. This year’s animated pitchers dazzled the audience with drag queens and topless men, not to mention a few monkeys, but it was the polished pitch for Remembrance that earned this year’s cheque for $10,000.
Strategic Partners brought $10M to East Coast
Halifax: Getting meetings with the top international producers, distributors and broadcasters is usually a challenge. But at Strategic Partners 2004, all you have to do is ask.
Frulla stresses cooperation, independence
Canada should not ignore filmmakers in the Prairies or the Maritimes if it is to boost the overall health of domestic movie production, according to Minister of Canadian Heritage Liza Frulla.
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La Face cachee eyes Oscar
Gilliam talks up Tideland at TIFF
Toronto: Expect the phrase ‘Alice in Wonderland meets Psycho’ to turn up a lot in the entertainment press over the next few months, because it’s one of the few hints Terry Gilliam has offered about his latest picture Tideland. The famed director and former Monty Pythoner made a stop at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month to talk up his latest project – now shooting in Saskatchewan – but stayed coy about the details, remarking at a press conference that ‘to tell the story would ruin the whole point of the story.’
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