Andrew Frank named co-president of Mongrel Media

The former VP, sales and acquisitions will co-lead with founder and president Hussain Amarshi and serve as executive producer on the distributor’s Canadian films.

CTV Life orders Mary Makes it Easy holiday special

The half-hour special will air as part of a robust holiday lineup for the specialty channel beginning in early November.

Hot Sheet

Hot Sheet: The Watcher debuts on digital originals list

Netflix’s Stranger Things and HBO’s Game of Thrones continued to dominate the digital and overall TV demand charts for the week of Oct. 17 to 23.

Ariane Louis-Seize’s first feature film starts production in Montreal

The fantasy comedy, produced by Montreal’s art et essai, is slated for release in 2023.

RIDM unveils full lineup for 25th edition

A number of Canadian films will make their world premiere, including Denys Desjardins’ J’ai placé ma mère, which is in the National Feature Competition.

AMI sets first cohort for Accessible Writers’ Lab

Six Canadian writers with disabilities were chosen from over 180 applicants to participate in the first-ever national lab.

TELUS originals funds doc on soccer star Stephanie Labbé

Shut Out from Wallop Film is now filming and will look at Labbé’s career and her newly retired life navigating her mental health.

Fireworks Media Group taps Trevor Hodgson as COO

Based in Vancouver, Hodgson will spearhead new business ventures for the North American prodco.

OUTtv expands Daddy TV’s X-Rated franchise

The Vancouver-based LGBTQ+ network and streamer has renewed X-Rated: NYC for a second season and commissioned X-Rated: LA.

CMF’s Creighton weighs in on Senate’s Cancon definition debate

The president and CEO of the Canada Media Fund argued that the definition discussion requires a robust and lengthy debate beyond the Senate committee review.

DGC reveals 2022 special awards recipients

Directors Sturla Gunnarsson and Allan Harmon are among those who will be honoured at the West Coast DGC Awards Gala on Nov. 5.

Doctor Who heads to Disney+ Canada in BBC deal

The streamer will be the exclusive home to new episodes of the British franchise, while Bell Media will retain rights to previously-aired episodes, Playback has confirmed.

MIPCOM ’22: Canadians size up emerging trends

Homegrown companies say the market’s return to in-person events in Cannes saw buzz surrounding FAST, streaming collaborations and Canada itself.

Deals: WFW, Bell Media, Super Channel, Nelvana

William F. White International sets an exclusive partnership with Winnipeg’s Big Sky Studios, Bell Media and Super Channel announce content acquisitions and sales, plus more.

Telefilm unveils 2022/23 cohort for relaunched Talent to Watch

The funder has selected 16 films to share a total funding of $3.5 million from the Talent Fund.