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B.C. Film launches development fund
Vancouver: Facing a dwindling budget, British Columbia Film has gone back to the innovation well and come up with its Slate Development Fund, a new program, the first of its kind in Canada, that will provide support for the development and marketing of film and TV projects, handing over a three-year envelope of up to $225,000 to between six and 10 B.C.-based producers this year.
Canadian distribution of Al-Jazeera unlikely
Despite being among nine new non-Canadian satellite services approved by the CTRC on July 15, it looks like the Arabic-language news service Al-Jazeera, out of Qatar, will not be hitting Canadian airwaves anytime soon.
Corus pushing homegrown shows on fall sked
More than half of the 22 new shows that will debut on Corus Entertainment’s children’s television stations in the fall are homegrown productions.
Canucks in Emmy race
Canadians look to figure prominently at the 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, with about 50 cited as the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced this year’s nominees on July 15 in Hollywood.
Canadians spending more on media and entertainment
In 2003, the Canadian media and entertainment industry grew at a faster rate than in any other global region included in the fifth edition of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Entertainment and Media Outlook 2004-2008. The global study measures 14 major industry segments across five regions: the U.S., EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Asia/Pacific, Latin America and Canada.
People
* Paul Gratton has been appointed VP of independent production within CHUM Television’s independent production unit. Gratton will remain as VP for Bravo!, and VP and GM of Space: The Imagination Station and Drive-In Classics in addition to his new responsibilities.
Two cities, two provinces, one tax credit?
Ottawa: ‘Blended tax credits’ may sound like a dream cocktail to a Bay Street financial advisor, but the phrase resonates best with the beleaguered production community of Ottawa-Gatineau, where producers are lately seeing renewed interest in the concept from both the Ontario and Quebec governments. That’s encouraging because, while qualified workers live on both sides of this unique cross-border region, employment and tax laws make it difficult or impossible for a production company based in one province to source staff from both and retain their full complement of provincial tax credits.
Elles etaient cinq opens World Film Fest, Zidi on jury
Montreal: The psychological drama Elles etaient cinq, directed by Ghyslaine Cote (Pin-Pon) and produced by Remstar and Forum Films, will open Montreal’s 2004 World Film Festival, the fest has announced.
Jump Cuts
Corus loses $51.2M in Q3
Klymkiw for Stursberg
Richard Stursberg’s move from executive director at Telefilm to executive VP of English Television at CBC has created a welcome buzz in the Canadian film and TV industry this summer.
A touch of green for Sienna
Toronto: You’ve got to hand it to Touch of Pink. The low-budget comedy opened at the height of summer blockbuster season, opposite Will Smith’s latest smash ’em up, and was not completely destroyed at the box office – bringing in roughly $51,000 from nine Canadian screens during its July 16-18 opening weekend, for a respectable $5,600 per screen average, on par with several Canuck hits and standing its ground against the US$52-million champ I, Robot.
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Fantastic voyage
Tommy D. Story in Saskatchewan
Regina: Minds Eye Entertainment is gearing up for production on The Tommy Douglas Story, a two-part miniseries for CBC about the life of the Saskatchewan political icon. The role was supposed to be played by Douglas’ real-life grandson, Kiefer Sutherland, but the 24 star passed. Casting will continue through early August.
Broadcast
Life and death on The Rock
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