Playback’s 10 to Watch 2021: Jennifer Irons

PRESENTED BY CBC: At the peak of her writing career Irons made an unexpected pivot to represent the underrepresented with Canada’s first Black-owned film and TV literary agency.

Hot Sheet

Hot Sheet: Top 10 films for Nov. 5 to 11, 2021

Eternals comes in at No. 1 for its opening week while Hindi-language action film Sooryavanshi debuts at No. 3.

Hot Sheet

Hot Sheet: Top 5 Canadian films for Nov. 5 to 11, 2021

Catherine Therrien’s drama Une révision debuts at No. 1, followed by Drunken Birds (Les Oiseaux ivres) and Maria Chapdelaine.

WIFTV names Eli Morris as executive director

The role was previously held by Carolyn Combs, who departed WIFTV in summer 2020.

Playback welcomes new Daily editor

Former Canadian Press arts editor Victoria Ahearn brings a long track record in the Canadian screen scene to the industry’s top resource for film and TV industry news.

BIPOC-focused Black Market Releasing ready to launch

Led by Frances Anne Solomon, the company will focus on serving the Canadian theatrical market by elevating diverse voices and stories through film.

Virtual festivals, online marketplace here to stay: Festival programmers

TIFF head and artistic director Cameron Bailey moderated a discussion with Tribeca and Melbourne festival programmers about the state of the film festival during the Playback Film Summit.

Cinespace acquired by U.S. real estate investor

The acquisition sees former Netflix exec Eoin Egan join the company as COO and co-managing partner.

Creative BC, Rogers Group of Funds partner on Indigenous-focused fund

Applications are open now for a knowledgeable Indigenous lead to spearhead the design and delivery of the joint venture which will begin in the new year.

Jules Arita Koostachin’s dramatic thriller goes to camera

The English and Cree-dialogue drama Broken Angel (MaaShwaKan MaNiTo) draws on a cast of Indigenous talent for the project which was workshopped at two labs.

In brief: Geordie Sabbagh thriller nabs $60K pitch prize

Plus: Asis Sethi is set to roll on postpartum focused project and Antica Productions has inked an exclusive first-look agreement with Telltale, a new premium factual focused U.K. prodco.

Cream Productions launches sustainability initiative led by in-house team

The Toronto-based prodco has hired Angelica Siegel (pictured) as its sustainability strategy manager.

Telefilm CEO says agency is still in early stages of modernization

Playback Film Summit ’21: Christa Dickenson discussed the funder’s transformational approach to data collection and the importance of diversification of funding within the domestic screen industry.

Hot Sheet

Hot Sheet: Digital Demand for Nov. 1 to 7, 2021

Ted Lasso holds the No. 1 spot in digital originals, while Saturday Night Live and PAW Patrol continue to lead overall demand.

DOC NYC Festival to world premiere The Cannons

Former NHL videographer Steve Hoffner makes his directorial debut in the documentary about the legendary coach/founder and key players of an inner-city team and the U.S.’s oldest minority-focused hockey program.