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Apple Box closes after tough year
Apple Box Productions has been shuttered after it was unable to prove itself a viable money generator for parent company CanWest Global.
EIP hands out $67 million
The Canadian Television Fund and Telefilm Canada doled out $67 million to 70 drama, kids and variety shows through the Equity Investment Program – breathing new life into several cash-trapped programs and boosting the budgets of many LFP winners.
Fifty-six percent of EIP applicants were turned down, compared to 64% of LFP hopefuls.
These results, announced May 6, are down only slightly from those of last spring, when the EIP handed out $76.7 million.
AAC quells furor over the Fuhrer
Alliance Atlantis Communications took a big chance, and whether it pays off will become clear on May 19. That’s when the numbers will come in for the miniseries Hitler: The Rise of Evil, a US$15-20-million production from the Canadian media giant. The first of the mini’s two parts debuts in the U.S. on CBS and domestically on Global affiliates CH Hamilton and CH Vancouver Island on Sunday, May 18, in the heart of the crucial sweeps season.
High-profile year for Canada at Cannes
MONTREAL: Canadian feature films, notably French-language Quebec films, are definitely on the radar at this year’s 56th Cannes Film Festival, May 14-25.
The program includes more official Canadian selections than in recent memory, starting with Denys Arcand’s Les Invasions barbares, a coproduction between Cinemaginaire and France’s Pyramide Production, entered in the high-profile international competition. Invasions is the first Canadian film in competition at Cannes since the late Jean-Claude Lauzon arrived on the Croisette with the quirky but haunting Leolo in 1992.
Lyons steps in as changes underway at LTB
J.J. Lyons has landed at Toronto’s LTB Productions and has taken on the familiar role of executive producer, working alongside LTB head Wayne Fenske.
Frappier comes in from the cold
Former Players Film Company executive producer Luc Frappier has joined Spy Films, taking on the role of managing partner and executive producer.
Fever, Pirate Radio in helmers rep deal
Toronto production house Fever Films North America has entered into an agreement with Pirate Radio & Television whereby Fever will represent the directors of Pirate for TV commercial production exclusively in North America.
CTF fallout brings confusion, frustration
TV-makers grew increasingly frustrated late last month, following a solid week of conflicting announcements and rumors about the Canadian Television Fund, the most recent and puzzling of which is being blamed on a misunderstanding between two reporters and Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps.
FP signs on for record Invasions launch
Montreal: Denys Arcand’s Les Invasions barbares has set a new record for a Quebec theatrical release, opening on 136 screens Friday, May 9, including nine screens with a subtitled English version. The previous record was held by Seraphin: Un homme et son peche, released last November on 123 screens. Both films are distributed by Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm.
Firestone out as Noble mans Fireworks helm
Fireworks Entertainment chief Jay Firestone is stepping aside and veteran television executive Gerry Noble has moved from broadcaster to supplier, replacing the departing production head.
Znaimer resigns
Moses Znaimer officially came down from the mountain on April 25 – leaving Citytv, the Toronto station he cofounded in 1972, and his top spots at parent company CHUM. The veteran broadcaster has stepped down as vice-president of corporate development at CHUM, and as president and exec producer of its 17 TV stations to focus on pet projects and educational television.
B.C. volumes drop below $1B
Vancouver: In 2002, direct spending by domestic and foreign film and television producers in British Columbia dropped below the magic $1-billion mark for the first time since piercing the threshold in 1999.
Production drops for 2nd straight year
And the numbers are… down. Again.
New immigration legislation: Part 2
Andrew Tolomizenko is corporate counsel for a large
Equinoxe sells Mambo’s US rights to Goldwyn
Montreal: The Samuel Goldwyn Company has acquired U.S. rights to the Emile Gaudreault feature comedy Mambo Italiano. The deal is a coup for Equinoxe Films, the worldwide distributor, and the film’s producer, Montreal-based Cinemaginaire. The distrib reported brisk international sales for Mambo earlier at this year’s American Film Market.
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