Guru Studio joins Sesame’s Mecha Builders
The HBO Max spinoff posed a challenge for the prodco, which had to translate the puppets’ soft fluffy aesthetic into a hard metal exterior, says Guru’s Frank Falcone.
WFF names 2020 Producers Lab cohort
Finalists include Camille Hollett-French with Man in Pieces and Sibel Guvenc with Loya.
Inside Out launches emergency relief funding for LGBTQ projects
The relief fund is an expansion of its RE:Focus Fund, with eligible projects able to apply for up to $2,500 to cover costs due to COVID-19.
The state of play: entertainment insurance in the age of COVID
Damian Schleifer, EVP at Front Row Insurance Brokers, on production shutdowns, coverage, advice for producers and what insurance policies will look like going forward.
NFB greenlights 16 new projects
Canada’s public producer has given titles from Rosana Matecki, Cordell Barker and Ann Marie Fleming the go-ahead.
Inside Out sets 2020 Finance Forum selections
Pink Carnations and Adolescent are part of the festival’s new stream geared towards micro-budget projects from emerging Canadian producers.
Murdoch Mysteries lives on at CBC
The pubcaster renewed the procedural drama for a 14th season, with star Yannick Bisson telling fans it ‘might be a little different’ than previous seasons.
Ottawa unveils details on $500M Heritage emergency funds
Updated: CMPA will work with Telefilm and CMF on how to best distribute the $115.8 million dedicated to Canada’s audiovisual sector, with an application process on the way.
Deals: levelFILM, D360, Sinking Ship
Distributor levelFILM nabs Connie Cocchia’s directorial debut, while Sinking Ship scores a number of new sales, plus more.
Hot Sheet: Digital Demand for April 28 to May 4, 2020
Star Wars: The Clone Wars lands at #1, followed by The Mandalorian at #2 and Ozark at #3.
COVID-19 contributes to tough Q1 for Spin Master
Revenue dipped 4.9% to US$227.3 million, offset partially by growth in construction toys, games and puzzles.
Q1 ad revenue down at BCE, churn on sports channels minimal
Viewership on traditional TV is up 25% while Crave is up 75% since lockdown began, though execs cautioned that Q2 will be challenging.
eOne poised to name Michael Lombardo head of TV: reports
Former HBO exec Lombardo, who is currently consulting for the global studio, will reportedly transition into eOne’s top TV post in the near future.
In brief: Atomic Cartoons series up for Peabody Award
Plus: A Canadian screenwriter is in development on a series about Rob Ford with AMC and a Vancouver studio is up for two Webby Awards.
WildBrain, Netflix bring back Johnny Test
The series found a new audience on the streamer because of its light-hearted style, and now it’s getting a refreshed look for two new seasons and an interactive special.
Photo Gallery: CAFTCAD 2020 - Aurora Browne and Jennifer Whalen posing on the red carpet.
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