Deals: The Roku Channel, From the Vine, East Side Games, Blue Ant

The Roku Channel picks up season two of Children Ruin Everything, From the Vine sells to A Contracorriente Films, plus more.

Telefilm to create Authentic Storytelling subcommittee

The funder has also shared a public statement to “oppose the harmful comment that was made during Canadian Screen Week.”

Christa Dickenson to depart Telefilm after four years

The Telefilm board of directors will begin a search for the next CEO and executive director ahead of Dickenson’s departure on Sept. 9.

Blue Ant Studios strikes first-look deal with Emmy winner Lisa Cortes

The Blue Ant Media production arm is already in collaboration with Cortes and her banner Cortes Filmworks on scripted and unscripted projects.

In brief: Boat Rocker co-developing series based on Erik McCurdy comic

Plus: Cedar Island Films options A Good War, WGC Screenwriting Awards names special honours recipients, Prends ça court! sets new Denis Villeneuve prize, and more.

CBC/Radio-Canada announces engagement sessions with Indigenous communities

The pubcaster will hold 20 sessions from April 26 to Sept. 27 across the country with the goal of better representing and reflecting the needs, interests and cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

TIFF boosts senior team, including Canadian Academy CEO Beth Janson as COO

The Toronto International Film Festival organization has also appointed Anita Lee of the NFB as chief programming officer and Laura Ryan as chief of staff.

Apple TV+ orders Sago Mini Friends from Spin Master

The streamer is adding an animated preschool series based on the popular and lucrative app to its growing kids originals lineup.

Sphere to open third location in Ottawa

The Montreal-based company plans to hire more than 100 staff for the new Ottawa office to take advantage of the local talent base.

Hot Sheet

Hot Sheet: Top 30 TV programs for April 4 to 10, 2022

Transplant, Big Brother Canada and Murdoch Mysteries land in the top 30.

Cinespace renews support for York University Motion Media Studio with $3.12M gift

Cinespace, which was acquired by TPG Real Estate Partners in November, also gave $2.5 million to the media facility in 2016.

ISO allocates over $12M to Indigenous-owned projects, companies in 2021/22

The organization handed out the additional funding from Canadian Heritage in a span of eight months, with the bulk going to development and production funding, as well as sector enhancement grants.

Hot Sheet

Hot Sheet: Top 5 Canadian films for April 8 to 14, 2022

The docudrama Marlene, directed by Wendy Hill-Tout, debuts at No. 2, while Au revoir le bonheur continues to lead in its eighth week.

IPF and CMF invest $600K in Development Packaging Program

The initiative from the Independent Production Fund and Canada Media Fund is financing 20 scripted short-form series for the 2022 cohort.

Playback Hall of Fame inductee Andrea Martin: A woman of a thousand characters

Andrea Martin’s work on SCTV would be enough to guarantee her immortality, but she has also amassed award-winning credits on stage and the big screen