TORONTO FILM. NET

NFB Goes To Sundance With Three Shorts

2009-12-07T13:32:00.001-08:00

Canada's National Film Board of Canada (NFB) returns to the upcoming Sundance Film Festival, January 21 to 31 with three selected animated film shorts.

The films screening are Cordell Baker’s "Runaway", Bruce Alcock’s "Vive la Rose" and David Coquard-Dassault’s "Rains".

"Runaway" is Barker's third short film with the NFB. His previous films "The Cat Came Back" (1988) and "Strange Invaders" (2001) won 30 international awards and Academy Award nominations. "Runaway" was produced in Winnipeg by Derek Mazur for the NFB.

Bruce Alcock’s "Vive la Rose", puts into images the words of a plaintive song about lost love. Co-produced by the NFB and Global Mechanic, Alcock’s film is based on an 18th-century song by Newfoundland musician Émile Benoit, in a film that pays homage to the land, sea and the harsh lives of local fishermen, produced by Global Mechanic’s Tina Ouellette and the NFB’s Annette Clarke and Michael Fukushima.

"Rains" is a meditation on everyday life and man's relationship with nature, as seen by illustrator David Coquard-Dassault, produced by Folimage’s Pascal Le Nôtre and the NFB’s Julie Roy...

CFC Offers $10,000 For "The Reel Challenge"

2009-12-07T11:12:00.001-08:00

The Canadian Film Centre have launched 'The Reel Challenge Contest', an initiative of the Canadian Film Centre, supported by the Copyright Collective of Canada.

The Reel Challenge is a contest for aspiring filmmakers to make a short compelling film about the importance of creators' rights and copyright protection for their work.

"...For contemporary artists, including filmmakers, the digital age brings extraordinary opportunities, yet at the same time, unprecedented challenges with respect to an artist's ability to control the distribution, use and reproduction of his or her work. The Reel Challenge Contest is an opportunity for artists to speak out on the importance of preserving and protecting copyrighted creative works..."

Eligible submissions should be approximately sixty (60) seconds in length and must not exceed three (3) minutes.

The contest runs December 7, 2009 to April 26, 2010.

Three prizes will be awarded:

first CDN$10,000
second CDN$2,500
third CDN$2,500.

"...All categories and genres of short film are accepted, including drama, comedy, animation, horror, sci-fi, documentary, experimental and music videos. Prizes will be awarded by the adjudicating committee to the creators whose submissions promote creators' rights and address the importance of content protection, from a creator's perspective, in the most compelling way, provoke the most thought and feeling in the viewer, and are considered the most engaging, imaginative and the most innovative in content and delivery..."

"Alice": A Whole New Wonderland- December 6...

2009-12-05T13:14:00.001-08:00

"Alice" is the Vancouver-lensed Syfy mini-series, updating the classic "Alice In Wonderland" story.

Starring Toronto actress Caterina Scorsone as 'Alice', a stranger in a city of twisted towers and casinos built out of playing cards, under the rule of the 'Queen of Hearts' (Kathy Bates), the show is from the same production team as "The Wizard Of Oz" update "Tin Man".

Cast includes Philip Winchester as 'Jack Chase', Allan Gray as 'White Rabbit', Colm Meaney as the 'King of Hearts', Andrew Lee Potts as 'Hatter', Tim Curry as 'Dodo', Matt Frewer as the 'White Knight', Harry Dean Stanton as 'Caterpillar', Alessandro Juliani as '9 of Clubs', Timothy Webber as Carpenter, Alex Diakun as 'Ratcatcher' and Eugene Lipinski as 'Doctors Dee' and 'Dum'..

"Alice" premieres on Syfy, December 6, 2009...

Telefilm And Rogers Announce Feature Doc Funding...

2009-12-04T17:56:00.001-08:00

Telefilm Canada and the Rogers Group of Funds have announced the names of the feature-length documentary projects that will receive funding support under the 'Theatrical Documentary Program' in 2009-2010.

Participating filmmakers will receive funding support for the production or post-production stage of their project, as the goal of the Program is to broaden both the slate and audiences for Canadian feature-length documentaries produced for commercial screening in Canada, while jointly financing a number of French- and English-language projects likely to be successful in Canada and abroad.

"Through this program, we are looking to attract new audiences in theatres for Canadian documentaries by providing support at crucial stages so projects can be commercially viable," said Michel Pradier, Director of Project Financing, Telefilm Canada.

"The feature films selected this year testify once again to Canadian documentary filmmakers' spirit of innovation and creativity."

Launched in 2005-2006 as a one-year pilot project, the public-private partnership was recently renewed until 2011. The program has a total budget of $4.5 million and provides funding, during production and post-production stages, for feature-length documentary projects with production budgets of $500,000 or more in French and $600,000 or more in English as well as financing for projects at the post-production stage.

English-language projects are "The David Suzuki Project"- Sturla Gunnarsson, "Genius Within: The Inner Life Of Glenn Gould"- Michele Hozer, "The Guantanamo Trap"- Thomas Wallner, "I Will Survive (Again)"- Jamie Kastner and "TuTu Much"- Elise Swerhone...

Toronto-Lensed "Splice" Screening @ Sundance...

2009-12-03T15:23:00.000-08:00

The North American premiere of "Splice", a France-Canadian co-production, directed by Vincenzo Natali, will screen at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in the PARK CITY AT MIDNIGHT program.

Filmed in Toronto at Black Creek Pioneer Village, Cinespace Film Studios and York University, "Splice" follows 'Elsa' and 'Clive', two young scientists, who defy legal and ethical boundaries by conducting a dangerous experiment, splicing together human and animal DNA to create a new organism.

Named 'Dren', the creature develops from a deformed female into a beautiful winged chimera, forging a bond with both creators. Cast also includes Adrien "The Pianist" Brody, Sarah Polley, Delphine Chaneac and David Hewlett.

Other Canadian features screening at the Sundance MIDNIGHT program include the horror spoof "Tucker and Dale vs. Evil", directed by Eli Craig, written by Craig & Morgan Jurgenson and "7 Days", directed by Daniel Grou, written by Patrick Senecal.

"7 Days" focuses on a doctor who takes revenge by kidnapping the man who previously kidnapped his young daughter. The film stars Remy Girard, Claude Legault, Fanny Mallette, Martin Dubreuil and Rose-Marie Coallier.

"Tucker and Dale vs. Evil", follows two West Virginian hillbillies as they encounter trouble on a vacation at their mountain cabin. Cast includes Tyler "Reaper" Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowden and Jesse Moss.

Sneak Peek "Splice"...

NFB Awarded For Digital Media Excellence...

2009-12-02T14:16:00.001-08:00

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) was honoured with two awards at the Canadian New Media Awards December 1, a nextMedia event recognizing accomplishments of individuals and companies in the Canadian digital media industry and TorontoFilm.Net was there.

The NFB also won the 2009 Applied Arts Magazine Interactive Award.

For 'Best Cross-Platform Project', recognizing excellence in interactive enhancement of a television property on digital platforms, the award was given to the NFB's "Waterlife Interactive", a story about the last great supply of fresh drinking water on earth, directly affecting over 350 million people.

"Waterlife Interactive" is produced by the NFB, designed by Jam3Media and inspired by the doc "Waterlife" by Kevin McMahon, a coproduction with Primitive Entertainment and the NFB.

For 'Best Online Video Portal' that distributes video content via the Internet or mobile, the winner was the "National Film Board of Canada: Online Screening Room" providing Canadians with free viewing of over 1,300 productions from the NFB’s archive collection.

The 'Applied Arts Magazine Interactive Award' was awarded to the NFB's "GDP", a year-long participatory interactive Web bilingual doc produced by the NFB, under the direction of documentarian Hélène Choquette, eight field directors and eight photographers based in various locations. Over 250 short docs and photo-essays, combine to create a mosaic of how Canadians experience the economic crisis...

Canadian New Media Awards: The Winners...

2009-12-02T12:49:00.001-08:00

The Canadian New Media Awards (CNMAs), Canada's only nationwide competition celebrating the country's best digital media companies, announced this year’s winners at a gala ceremony at the Toronto Design Exchange and TorontoFilm.Net was there.

In its ninth consecutive year, the CNMAs spotlight the local interactive media industry in categories including 'Best Mobile Marketing', 'Best Use of Social Media' and 'Best Web-based Game'.

New categories introduced this year include 'Best Online Video Portal', 'Best Mobile Application' and 'Brand of the Year'.
"We were extremely impressed with this year’s award nominees and their work truly represented some of the country’s best new media strategies," said Mark Greenspan, Executive Producer, nextMEDIA.

"As Canada’s only nationwide new media competition of its kind, we’re proud of the achievements this country’s innovators offer."

The gala celebration was hosted by comedian Seán Cullen, with more than 200 industry leaders in attendance.

Award winners included Cyberplex Inc. as 'Best Company of the Year', BBDO/Proximity Canada for "Doritos" as 'Best Brand of the Year' and Syncapse Corp. as 'Most Promising New Company of the Year'.

Here is the list of all the winners...

Milla Jovovich On "Resident Evil: Afterlife"...

2009-11-28T14:57:00.000-08:00

Click images to enlarge...

Take a look at new footage of actress Milla Jovovich, filmed by Milla Jovovich on the Toronto set of "Resident Evil: Afterlife", the fourth film in the series, that started shooting in Toronto September 28.

Originally a Capcom video game series, created by Shinji Mikami, selling 40 million games , other "Resident Evil" spin-offs have included comic books, novelizations and action figures.

The first feature, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, released in 2002, grossed $102 million worldwide, focusing on amnesiac affected heroine 'Alice' and a squad of 'Umbrella Corporation' commandos, as they attempted to escape a secret underground facility overrun with zombies.

The new film picks up after the events of "Resident Evil: Extinction", the Mexican-filmed 2007 sequel focusing on Alice and a group of survivors from 'Raccoon City', as they traveled across the Mojave desert wilderness to Alaska, staying one step ahead of a 'zombie apocalypse'.

"Resident Evil: Afterlife" will be released September 17, 2010...

Toronto Film Updates- 2005-2006: The Way We Were...

2009-11-28T07:26:00.001-08:00

Click image to enlarge...

January 26, 2006

The comedy feature "Run Robot Run" has now wrapped a 4-week shoot in Toronto. Set in the future, the Darius Films, Laughing Man Productions' film focuses on a factory worker (Chris Gibbons) who loses his job to an android (Peter Mooney)."Run Robot Run" is produced and directed by Daniel O'Connor.

January 19, 2006

Opening April 21, 2006, "Silent Hill", an Ontario-shot, big screen video game adaptation, directed by Christophe "Brotherhood Of The Wolf" Gans, focuses on 'Rose', desperate to find her child 'Sharon', who suddenly becomes trapped in an alternate dimension.Rose follows her daughter's silhouette to the town of 'Silent Hill', smothered by fog, and overcome by a living 'Darkness' that transforms everything it touches.Joined by 'Cybil', a local police officer, Rose searches for her daughter, realizing that Sharon is a pawn in a much larger game.

January 18, 2006

Clive "Sin City" Owen, Monica "Brotherhood Of The Wolf" Bellucci and Paul "Cinderella Man" Giamatti will be in Toronto, the end of January to shoot the 'dark' feature "Shoot 'Em Up".Written and directed by Michael Davis, premise of the film focuses on a man named 'Mr. Smith' (Owen), who delivers a woman's baby during a shootout, then called upon to protect the newborn from an army of gunmen.

January 10, 2006

Filming continues at Toronto Film Studios on the Double Agent Productions' feature "BREACH". Starring Chris "Adaptation" Cooper, Ryan "Crash" Phillippe and Laura "Kinsey" Linney, "BREACH" is written/directed by Billy "Shattered Glass" Ray.The film is produced by Bobby "Training Day" Newmyer, Scott "The Last Samurai" Kroopf and Scott "Mindhunters" Strauss.Executive producers are Adam Merims, Sidney Kimmel and William Horberg.Inspired by true events, based on the book "The Eleventh Hour" by Adam Mazer/Bill Rotko, "BREACH" is a thriller set inside the FBI."This is a story about lying in the pursuit of truth," said Ray."It's also about how our mentors can teach us even as they are betraying us."Screenplay focuses on 'Eric O'Neill' (Phillippe), promoted out of a low-level FBI 'surveillance' job into working for operative 'Robert Hanssen' (Cooper), in a new 'information assurance' division, created to protect classified FBI Intelligence.

Hanssen is suspected of being a 'mole' for the Soviet Union and O'Neill is asked to draw Hanssen out of 'deep cover'. O'Neill finds himself fighting to get Hanssen before the ruthless double agent can destroy O'Neill, his family and the nation they are both sworn to serve.Linney portrays 'Special Agent Kate Burroughs', FBI staffer in charge of O'Neill, and Dennis "24" Haysbert is ''Special Agent Dan Plesac', who teams with Burroughs to bring Hanssen down. Also in the cast are Kathleen "Apollo 13" Quinlan, Gary "Wanted" Cole, Caroline "Wonderfalls" Dhavernas. Cinematographer is Tak "The Sixth Sense" Fujimoto and production designer is Wynn "A Beautiful Mind" Thomas. Unit Production Manager is Steve Wakefield. 1st AD is Richard Fox. Filming in both Toronto and Washington, DC locations, "BREACH" is set for a wide release later this year.

December 21, 2005

A recent ruling by the Ontario Municipal Board has cleared the way for construction to finally begin on a 1.2 million-square-foot film/media complex 'megastudio' in Toronto.Toronto Film Studios said that the board dismissed an objection to a minor variance from a competitor.The planned 'Filmport' will be built in Toronto's port area.Construction on the C$275 million project, on land owned by the Toronto Economic Development Corp. (Tedco), will now begin summer 2006.The first phase of Filmport will include six soundstages, with a 45,000-square-foot stage and production office/support facilities totaling 232,000 square feet.Filmport is expected to house more than a dozen soundstages totaling 550,000 square feet of production space.

December 5, 2005

TriStar Pictures are inviting fans/amateur artists to design the official movie poster for the Toronto-area shot feature "Silent Hill", set for release in theaters April 21, 2006.

For the first time, entrants will be able to view their posters via mobile telephone and encourage others via text blasts to participate from wireless devices. Fans can enter the contest via the film's website where they will be able to download creative elements from the film (photography stills, title treatment and billing block) to create their own poster design. Deadline for entries is January 3, 2006 and all valid entries will be posted January 4th for online and WAP site voting to begin. January 17th, 2006, TriStar Pictures will review the 50 posters with the most votes for a selection of five finalists. The finalists will be posted on January 20th and fans will cast their votes for the winner. TriStar will unveil the winning poster February 22, which will then be displayed in theaters prior to the release of the film.

Premise of the film focuses on the deserted ghost town 'Silent Hill', where a young mother is desperate to find a cure for her child's illness. Unable to accept the doctor's diagnosis that her daughter should be permanently institutionalized for psychiatric care, 'Rose' (Radha Mitchell) flees with her child, heading for the abandoned town in search of answers, ignoring the protests of her husband (Sean Bean).

The town is smothered by fog, inhabited by a variety of strange beings and periodically overcome by a living 'Darkness' that transforms everything it touches. As Rose searches for her little girl, she begins to learn the history of the strange town and realizes her daughter is a pawn in a larger game.

"Silent Hill" is directed by Christophe "Brotherhood Of The Wolf" Gans, written by Roger Avary and produced by Samuel Hadida and Don Carmody. Executive producers are Andrew Mason and Victor Hadida.
TriStar Pictures is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

November 4, 2005

Toronto/Los Angeles-based Peace Arch Entertainment Group Inc. has announced the formation of genre division 'Archetype Films', to produce/distribute action, horror, thriller and science fiction films.

The new label, which makes its debut at the 2005 American Film Market now underway in Santa Monica, California, is off to a quick start with five films already in production:

"The Veteran" starring Ally Sheedy, Canada's Michael Ironside and Bobby Hosea, is an action thriller about a Vietnam War veteran confronted by an old comrade who forces him to relive the bloody battles of his past;

"Heartstopper" starring Robert "Nightmare On Elm Street" Englund, Meredith Henderson and James Brinkley, is a classic horror about two teens trapped in a dilapidated hospital while a maniac stalks the halls;

"Warriors Of Terra", currently shooting in Toronto, stars Edward "Canes" Furlong, Ellen Fury and Andrew Lui, in a sci-fi/horror where a team of young animal 'liberationists' penetrate a biotech facility, only to discover a genetically engineered creature.

"The Last Sect" starring David "Kill Bill" Carradine as a descendant of vampire hunter 'Van Helsing', focuses on a group of seductive female vampires who use an internet dating service to recruit their prey.

"5ive Girls", currently being cast, revolves around five wayward teens sent to an all-girls reform school where they discover their own supernatural powers AND battle an ancient demon.

"Our new slate of cutting-edge, story-driven projects have proven ancillary market appeal and break-out box office potential on the margin of "Saw" and "Open Water" said Peace Arch President John Flock.

"As we expand our offerings to include more theatrical titles, we are also excited by our ability to rapidly grow our library with a substantially increased output of commercially reliable genre productions."

Peace Arch recently announced its first two films intended for worldwide theatrical markets :

"Chapter 27" starring Jared Leto and Lindsay Lohan;

"Delirious" starring Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt and Alison Lohman.

November 3, 2005

Sneak Peek's Michael Stevens worked on the ABC drama mini-series "The Untitled History Project" AND comedy feature "Rexx The Firehouse Dog" but still managed to send in these current updates of productions shooting in and around the Toronto area.

"Hotel". Series.Sept. 12 - Nov. 10, 2005. Toronto, Ottawa. "Freedom". Series.October 2005 - May 2006. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal. "This Is Wonderland III". Series.July 25, 2005 - Feb. 4, 2006. Toronto."Biblical Archaeology". Feature Doc.May 2005 - May 2006. Canada, Int'l.
"The Naked Archaeologist". Doc Series.August 2004 - December 2005. Toronto "Barstool Words". Feature.Oct. 24 - Nov. 25, 2005. Toronto."Situation Critical II". Doc Series.July 2005 - February 2006. Toronto."Captain Flamingo". Anim. Series.June 2005 - September 2006. Toronto."Atomic Betty 2". Anim. Series.April 2005 - March 2006. Toronto."My Opposition - The Diaries of Friedrich Kellner". Doc. Sept. 1, 2005 - April 2006."Erky Perky". Anim. Series.August 2005 - 2006. Toronto."Meteor The Monster Truck". Anim. Series.January 2005 - November 2006. Toronto."A Giants Walk Home". Doc.Oct. 31 - Nov. 10, 2005, Jan. 16-22, 2006. Ontario, South Africa. "Skinwalkers". Feature.Sept. 19 - Nov. 11, 2005. Toronto."Naturally Sadie". Series.Sept. 12, 2005 - February 2006. Toronto. "GirlStuff/BoyStuff II". Series.February 2005 - January 2006. Toronto."Delilah & Julius". Anim. Series.Sept. 6, 2004 - March 17, 2006. Toronto."Firehouse Dog". Feature.Sept. 21 - Dec. 1, 2005. Toronto."Breach". Feature.Nov. 21, 2005 - Feb. 1, 2006. Toronto."Degrassi: The Next Generation V". Series.May 6 - Nov. 11, 2005. Toronto."The Hades Factor". Miniseries.October - December 2005. Toronto."The Heat with Mark McEwan". Series.March 1 - Dec. 16. 2005. Toronto."Save Us From Our House". Series.July 11 - Nov. 15, 2005. Toronto."Get Ed". Anim. Series.January 2005 - March 2006. Toronto."Killshot". Feature.Oct. 3 - Dec. 2, 2005. Toronto."The Making of Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu". Doc. Aug. 20 - Nov. 30, 2005. Toronto."Project Passion". Series. Aug. 1, 2005 - April 1, 2006. Toronto."Spiritual Gardens". Series.Aug. 31, 2005 - April 30, 2006. Toronto."Scandal in Saltlake". Doc.Sept. 15- Dec. 31, 2005. Toronto."Underwater Detectives". Series.Dec. 15, 2004 - Dec. 31, 2005. Toronto."Hush". Feature.Oct. 31 - Nov. 14. Toronto."Carl Squared". Anim. Series.February 2005 - April 2006. Toronto, Ottawa."Shades of Black". MOW.Oct. 19 - Nov. 12, 2005. Toronto."Dark Oracle II". Series.Oct. 11 - Dec. 6, 2005. Toronto."Regenesis II". Series.July 25 - Dec. 9, 2005. Toronto."Talk to Me". Pilot.Nov. 2-16, 2005. Toronto.

October 8, 2005

Shooting has now started in London, UK on a TV biopic about Conrad Black, aka 'Lord Black of Crossharbour'."Shades of Black" stars Canadian actor Albert Schultz as the media baron.The show will wrap mid-November in Toronto, for a two-hour broadcast on CTV and BBC, spring 2006.Actress Lara Flynn "Twin Peaks" Boyle plays Black's wife Barbara Amiel.

September 30, 2005

According to the National Post, the planned FILMPORT film studio, to be erected next year along Toronto's waterfront will receive approximately $10 million in support from Toronto's development arm for 'remediation' and construction of foundations.Toronto City Council approved a 99-year lease between the city-owned Toronto Economic Development Corporation (TEDCO) and Toronto Film Studios Inc., for construction of a $100 million studio complex in the city's derelict Port Lands area.TEDCO said their organization would need to clean the industrial land, in an arrangement between the city and previous owner Imperial Oil.According to TEDCO, the petroleum company paid Toronto to take ownership of the land, because of the poor condition of the site."We have a piece of land that is so badly polluted, ESSO paid us to take it off their hands," said Toronto Mayor David Miller.According to TEDCO, in addition to the cleanup, the city will pay to extend the Don Roadway and contribute to the cost of building foundations, because the land is currently 'goo'.

September 9, 2005

Toronto-born actor, musician Douglas Smith has been cast as the lead in the Telefilm-backed feature "Citizen Duane", now shooting in Hamilton, Ontario.Premise of "Citizen Duane", described as an 'offbeat' comedy/drama, focuses on teenager 'Duane', tormented by a town bully named 'Chad'. Driven to correct past and present injustices, Duane decides to run for mayor, with the results leaving the southern Ontario town of 'Ridgeway' changed forever."Citizen Duane" is directed by Michael Mabbot.20-year old Smith recently starred in the prairies-shot "Santa's Slay" for producer Brett Ratner, slated for a November release through Lions Gate, is the juvenile male lead in HBO'S Bill Paxton/Jeanne Tripplehorn TV series "The Big Love", and the lead in features "Rock The Paint" and "States Evidence".Smith is the younger brother of Gregory Smith, Canadian star of the Treat Williams WB TV series "Everwood".

August 29, 2005

Quentin "Kill Bill" Tarantino will executive produce the Miramax feature adaptation of author Elmore "Get Shorty" Leonard's 1989 bestseller "KILLSHOT, now booked from October through November at Toronto's Cinespace Film Studios.Director of "KILLSHOT" will be John "Shakespeare in Love" Madden, starring "Sin City" fan fave Mickey Rourke, Diane "The Perfect Storm" Lane, singer Justin Timberlake and Viggo Mortensen.

Mortensen recently starred in David Cronenberg's Toronto-shot "A History Of Violence" , while Lane appeared as 'Toni Mannix' in the upcoming George Reeves/'Superman' biopic "Truth, Justice and the American Way", also filmed in Toronto earlier this year.

August 23, 2005

Filming continues on the award-winning high school TV series, "DEGRASSI : THE NEXT GENERATION", with Kevin "Clerks" Smith directing the episode "Jay & Silent Bob Go Canadian, Eh ?".

Toronto's Eglinton Avenue West (at Avenue Road) was the location for a few days filming at the former 'Eglinton Theatre', now renovated as the luxurious banquet venue 'Eglinton Grand'.

August 23, 2005

Emmy-winning TV director Todd Holland will unleash "Firehouse Dog", a live action feature, currently sniffing out Toronto locations for Regency Enterprises.Story will focus on 'Rexxx', Hollywood's top dog star. After getting lost, Rexxx is adopted by a firehouse, then teams up with a 12-year-old boy.Screenplay is by Claire-Dee Lim.Toronto location shooting starts September 18.

August 10, 2005

Filming continues at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens on director Peter "Garfield" Hewitt's "THE RETURN OF ZOOM".

The Sony/Revolution comic book-to-film feature has now completed 20 days of principal photography of a scheduled 53 day shoot.

The Carlton Street arena was slated to be converted into a Loblaws grocery super-store last year, until director Ron Howard decided to shoot his "Cinderella Man" boxing scenes in the authentic 1930's style venue last year.

For "THE RETURN OF ZOOM", the arena's 80 foot high ceilings have been rigged and scaffolded to accomodate the $120 million comedy feature, including laboratories and a life-size flying saucer.

"THE RETURN OF ZOOM" stars Tim "Tool Time" Allen as 'Capt Jack Zoom', a bagged-out super-hero coming out of retirement, Chevy "Three Amigos" Chase as scientist 'Dr. Grant' and Courtney "Friends" Cox as 'Marsha', employee of a hi-tech training facility.

Producers of "THE RETURN OF ZOOM" are Suzanne Todd, Jennifer Todd and Todd Garner. Executive Producers are Neil Machlis, Nick Osborne and Trevor Engelson. Co-Producer is Julie Ragland. Associate Producers are Joe Boccia and Matt Carroll.

July 30, 2005

Lifetime Television has found an audience for Season 3 of the Toronto-shot dramatic TV series "MISSING", ordering up an additional six episodes.

"MISSING" stars Vivica A. "Kill Bill" Fox, Caterina Scorsone, Mark Consuelos and Justin Louis as FBI agents.

Fox is also executive producer of the show.This brings the "MISSING" full-season order to 19 episodes.According to Lifetime, total viewership for "MISSING" is up 20% compared with Season 2 (2.4 million vs. 2 million).

JULY 26, 2005

From Ken Ferguson, President, Toronto Film Studios Inc. :"The new Mega-Studio in Toronto’s Port Lands is about to become a reality. Toronto Film Studios and TEDCO are finalizing a lease that will be presented to the TEDCO board before the end of July."For those in the industry, it means that for the first time Toronto will be able to attract and accommodate Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster productions. This benefits everyone because every dollar spent directly on a film generates another $1.50 in trickle-down activity."While the City’s political leadership and the vast majority of the film community are strong supporters of the Mega-Studio, some unfounded rumours have been circulated recently by parties who are opposed to the project."Here are the facts:

"The Mega-Studio will mean more films are produced in Toronto; not just the big blockbusters but also medium sized US and Canadian productions that are our industry’s bread and butter. It will NOT monopolize the industry or kill other studios and film-related businesses - it will actually increase their workload."The existing TFS Studio at 629 Eastern Avenue will continue to be operated as film studios as long as it is in demand. It has served us well and is currently very busy so we have no intention of closing it in the foreseeable future."The Mega-studio development is NOT dependent in any way on the zoning application for TFS’s Eastern Avenue lands. The Mega-studio financing is arranged and will be announced soon. As prudent land owners, we are preparing to develop our 9 acre vacant lot and expanding our options for the future."Toronto Film Studios won the right to build the Mega-Studio in an international competition. We are paying market value for the lands, having bid a higher price than anyone else. No other studio owner in the city can claim to be disadvantaged by this open and highly scrutinized process."During a limited stabilization period and to satisfy development financing, TEDCO will be restricted from leasing to other studio operators in the immediate vicinity of the Mega-Studio. Other film-related tenants such as equipment suppliers will be welcomed to the area and no existing TEDCO tenants such as P.S. Production Services will be affected."Recent eviction notices to film-related companies in the West Donlands have been issued by the Province of Ontario for Waterfront Revitalization. The eviction of these tenants by the Province has nothing at all to do with the Mega-Studio, TFS, the City of Toronto or TEDCO. Toronto needs the Mega-Studio now. Mayor Miller and our City Councillors have worked hard to make it happen. Let them know that you appreciate their commitment to our industry and that you support the Mega-Studio in the Port Lands."

July 6, 2005

Revolution Leaf Productions is currently prepping at Toronto's Cinespace Studios for the Revolution Studios/Sony Entertainment comic book-to-film feature "The Return Of Zoom", scheduled for principal photography July 11 to October 3 .
"The Return Of Zoom" is based on Jason Lethcoe's graphic novel "Zoom's Academy For The Super Gifted", about a 13-year old girl who discovers her father is a teacher at a school for kids with powers and that she has super-human abilities as well. The series was picked up November 2004 by Ballantine Books, a subsidary of Random House Publishing.Sony's "The Return Of Zoom" stars Tim "Tool Time" Allen, Chevy "Three Amigos" Chase and Courtney "Friends" Cox. Directed by Peter Hewitt, the family comedy revolves around an academy for training 'gifted' teens, with Allen playing 'Captain Zoom', a bagged out super-hero father, who emerges from retirement to train his daughter and her friends.Jennifer and Suzanne Todd produce.One of the sets for the FX-heavy film is being built at Cinespace's Booth Avenue location."The Return Of Zoom" will be released by Revolution Studios, Team Todd and Underground Films.

June 21, 2005

The Montreal-shot "Lucky Number Slevin", starring Bruce Willis and Lucy Liu (the title takes its name from a race horse), recently came to Toronto for a week of re-shoots using photo-doubles and BG, with some scenes taking place in Toronto's downscale Queen Street West, 'Parkdale' district.

June 10, 2005

Toronto's Epitome Pictures, with support from federal agency Telefilm Canada, are developing a big screen feature based on CTV's high school teen series "Degrassi: The Next Generation", with Kevin "Jersey Girl" Smith tapped to direct for a late August shoot in Toronto. Smith recently appeared on the series alongside "Jay And Silent Bob" sidekick Jason Mewes.Two "Degrassi: TNG" books and a TV doc are currently in the works, with the fifth season now prepping for Toronto production."Degrassi: TNG" airs on The 'N' network in the US, also broadcasting in the UK, Australia and France.The series was removed from the broadcast schedule of publicly-funded PBS network, following complaints from citizen's rights groups objecting to the series' realistic portrayals of teens involved with drugs, sex and rock 'n roll.The show is filmed in a mock-up village/school south of Toronto's Eglinton Avenue East, with daily usage of classrooms, training the next generation of Degrassi actors."Degrassi" is the name of an actual street in downtown Toronto's east end.

May 25

"Everybody you know is here shooting something," said Richard "Lethal Weapon" Donner on the phone from Toronto to movie trade mag Variety.

"They're building stages everywhere".

Donner is in Toronto directing Bruce "Die Hard" Willis and Mos Def in the Millennium/Emmet/Furla production"16 BLOCKS".

But, he said, "We should be in L.A.".

"It's a cardinal sin we don't have production back home, but our governor doesn't have the guts to do anything about it. He should have his SAG card rescinded."

Donner complimented the Toronto film crew.

"They've made their city look just like New York ... the action of "16 Blocks" takes place in two hours ... and that's approximately what the film will run.

"There's no wardrobe changes for anyone".

He says that co-producer Willis is always on set, whether in a scene or not.

Donner's wife Lauren "Constantine" Shuler-Donner, is prepping Fox/Marvel's "X-Men III" for a 4 month Vancouver shoot starting in August.

May 10

The 'Space' cable station has greenlit a first season of sci-fi TV series "ICE PLANET", starring Canadian Michael "Starship Troopers" Ironside as the captain of a marooned interplanetary crew.Daniel D'Or/Phil Jackson, producers of "Star Hunter" are projecting a 5 season storyline.Filming begins in Toronto and the UK this summer on a budget of $32.5 million.

The 'twinned co-production' series, partners Toronto-based SpaceWorks Entertainment with London-based Highgate Films.The first episode of "ICE PLANET" will air fall 2006.

May 8

May 8 was the last day for re-shoots on the MOW "Secret Santa", starring Canadian Andrea "Rescue Me" Roth as a sexy, single mom. Also starring is Howard "WKRP" Hessman.The show is produced by Blueprint Entertainment for Lifetime and the W Network. Producers are Noreen Hapern, John Morayniss and Joey Plager.

Director is Eleanor "DeGrassi" Lindo.The final scene, complete with a department store Santa and his elves, was shot late at night inside the toy department at the massive Hudson's Bay Company flagship store at Queen and Yonge.Budgeted between $3 - $5 million, the TV movie will also air on Movie Central and YTV.

May 6

Filming has now wrapped on writer/director Gary Lennon's "Point 45".The indie feature stars Milla "Resident Evil" Jovovich, Angus MacFadyen, Andie MacDowell and Stephen "Blade" Dorff.The story focuses on a married couple involved in small-time crime in New York City's 'Hell's Kitchen' during the 1970's.MacFadyen plays 'Ed', who deals guns and drugs.

After abusing his girlfriend (Jovovich) for the last time, she uses her beauty and charm to seduce his friends into framing him for murder."Point 45" is produced by Brad Wyman and Donald Kushner.

More DVDs From Canada's Kinosmith...

2009-11-20T14:15:00.001-08:00

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Canadian film distributors KINOSMITH are offering the following DVD titles of note from their extensive film collection :

"The Art Star And The Sudanese Twins" follows Vanessa Beecroft’s intentions to adopt orphaned twins, and how it affects her art and personal life.

"...Pop star of the art world, Vanessa Beecroft is determined to adopt orphaned twins, an intention that bleeds into her art and reveals her volatile relationship with her husband. Alongside the adoption process Vanessa photographs herself breast feeding the twins, creating her own artwork. Like Angelina and Madonna, Vanessa is a white westerner intent on rescuing third world babies. But at what cost to her personal life?..."

In "Ghosts", a 17 year-old girl left on her own, creates an intriguing journey to meet a new companion and reunite with her mother.

"...Nina (Julia Hummer) is a vulnerable 17-year old, alone in the world except for the social workers who run her life. She finds an ally in reckless Toni (Sabine Timoteo), a tough young woman who grabs what she wants to survive. Together they experience a fleeting moment of intimacy, an instant of happiness. Françoise (Marianne Basler) has returned regularly to Berlin where her baby daughter was kidnapped many years previously. In the street she spots Nina and becomes convinced that she has found her long-lost child..."

Mika Kaurismäki’s "L.A. Without A Map', a 'fish-out-of-water' story shows life in Southern California is far from straightforward.

"...When Scottish undertaker Richard (David Tennant) is smitten with beautiful American tourist Barbara (Vinessa Shaw), he leaves his dull life behind and follows her back to Los Angeles. Thrown in at the deep end (and unable to drive), he discovers that life in Southern California is far from straightforward. A hilarious fish-out-of-water love story with some surprising guest stars including Johnny Depp, Anouk Aimée, Leningrad Cowboys, Amanda Plummer, Jerzy Skolimowski and Monte Hellman..."

"RiP! A Remix Manifesto", is the controversial feature that introduced the world to mash-up artist 'Girl Talk' and the 'Copyleft' movement.

"...Web activist and filmmaker Brett Gaylor explores issues of copyright in the information age, mashing up the media landscape of the 20th century and shattering the wall between users and producers. The film’s central protagonist is Girl Talk, a mash-up musician topping the charts with his sample-based songs. But is Girl Talk a paragon of people power or the Pied Piper of piracy? Creative Commons founder, Lawrence Lessig, Brazil’s Minister of Culture Gilberto Gil and pop culture critic Cory Doctorow are also along for the ride. A participatory media experiment, from day one, Brett shares his raw footage at opensourcecinema.org, for anyone to remix. This movie-as-mash-up method allows these remixes to become an integral part of the film. With RiP! A Remix Manifesto, Gaylor and Girl Talk sound an urgent alarm and draw the lines of battle..."

"FLicKeR", director Nik Sheehan’s mind-expanding doc about the psychedelic 'dream machine', caught the imagination of notable artists including author William Burroughs and singer Iggy Pop.

"...The dream machine looks simple enough: A 100-watt light bulb, a motor, and a rotating cylinder with cutouts. Just sit in front of it, close your eyes, and wait for the visions to come. The dream machine offers a drugless high that its creator – poet, artist, calligrapher and mystic Brion Gysin – believed would revolutionize human consciousness. He wasn't alone. Kurt Cobain had a dream machine. And William S. Burroughs thought it could be used to “storm the citadels of enlightenment.” With a custom-made dream machine in tow, director Nik Sheehan takes a journey into the life of Brion Gysin – his art, his complex ideas, and his friendships with some of the 20th Century's key counterculture figures. Featuring Burroughs (in archival footage) singer Marianne Faithfull, singer/artist Genesis P-Orridge of Psychic TV, poet John Giorno, rocker Iggy Pop, filmmaker Kenneth Anger, and artist/turntablist DJ Spooky..."

"Tkaronto", from director Shane Belcourt is an 'Aboriginal indie', starring Dwayne Murray, Melanie McLaren and Lorne Cardinal.

"...Tkaronto is a provocative exploration of two Aboriginal thirty-somethings caught in the urban crossroads. Ray (Duane Murray) and Jolene (Melanie McLaren) discover an unexpected connection when their paths’ cross in Tkaronto (the original Mohawk word for “Toronto”). Ray, a Métis writer, has come to Toronto to pitch his TV series, Indian Jones, which is promising to be the big break Ray needs, especially with a pregnant girlfriend back home. Jolene, a Los Angeles-based Anishnabe painter, is passing through Toronto to conduct an interview with a prominent Elder Max (played by Corner Gas’s Lorne Cardinal) and is suddenly taken aback when Max presents her with an eagle feather, an honour that she feels unworthy of. For Jolene and Ray home feels very far away. But through their chance meeting they reveal their hopes, dreams, fears and failures and realize their common struggle: to stake claim to their urban aboriginal identity..."

"The State I Am In" is a gritty feature directed by Christian Petzold.

"...A couple with a terrorist past (Richy Müller and Barbara Auer) have been living on the run for 20 years and have a 15 year old daughter, Jeanne (Julia Hummer), who has never known a normal childhood. When their money is stolen, they are forced to return secretly from Portugal to their native Germany, undertaking a journey during which Jeanne’s teenage development coincides with the disintegration of the family cell..."

Summer 2009, KINOSMITH became the official DVD distribution partner of Toronto’s Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

The company has released more than 80 feature films in two years, with its current roster including theatrical releases "Unmistaken Child", "Delta", "Enlighten Up!", "Departures", "Little Ashes" and "Burma VJ".

Other current releases include Australian hit "Three Blind Mice", the Alberta Oil Sands documentary "H2Oil", Sarah Goodman's "When We Were Boys", the punk rock doc "Taqwacore", Paul Saltzman's "Prom Night In Missippi", Matt Bissonnette's "Passenger Side", Sean Garrity's "Zooey & Adam", Denis Delestrac's "Pax Americana" and Chris Smith's "Collapse".

KINOSMITH INC. is an independent Canadian film distribution & marketing company founded in February 2007 by distribution veteran Robin Smith. With a mandate to bring critically-acclaimed Canadian/international films to audiences across the country, the company also provides marketing advice to productions in development and in the can, currently acting as Executive Producer on a variety of upcoming Canadian feature films and television projects...

Shirley Douglas @ "WIFT-T 2009 Crystal Awards"...

2009-11-19T09:44:00.000-08:00

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Women in Film & Television-Toronto (WIFT-T) will honour the winners of their 21st Annual Crystal Awards at a gala luncheon celebration, Monday, November 30, 2009 @ The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.

"This year’s winners competed against a slate of exceptional nominees in all categories," said Sadia Zaman, Executive Director of WIFT-T.

"The winners are a testament to hard work, passion, and creativity. We are honoured to celebrate their achievements.”

Actress Shirley Douglas will receive this year’s 'International Achievement Award', presented to a Canadian woman working in screen-based media "...for her significant and well recognized body of work in Canada and abroad..."

"Shirley Douglas inspires so many of us in this industry," said Zaman.

"She has consistently managed to do work that she loves, and at the same time remain true to her convictions. That is a rare feat in any industry. We are so excited to be able to present her with a Crystal Award.”

"For the last 25 years, WIFT-T has played a vital part in the success of the Canadian screen-based industry", said Shirley Douglas. "For me to be recognized by this extraordinary group in any way is a tremendous honour."

Shirley's performance career has encompassed numerous roles on stage/screen in Canada, the UK and US, working with noted directors the likes of Stanley Kubrick, portraying characters from 'Nellie McClung' to matriarch 'May Bailey' in "The Wind at My Back" and former American Secretary of State 'Madeleine Albright' in the ABC mini-series "The Path to 9/11."

Born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Shirley is the daughter of Irma and Tommy Douglas (the Premier of Saskatchewan who became the 'father' of Canada’s public health system), training at the Banff School of Fine Arts before entering RADA in London, England. After graduating, Shirley continued performing in the UK.

Well-known for her activism, Shirley became involved in the American Civil Rights Movement and the campaign against the Vietnam War. She continued working in the United States until 1977, when she returned to Canada with her three children, Thomas and twins Rachel and Kiefer (Sutherland).

Shirley is also noted as one of Canada's most prominent activists in the fight to preserve publicly funded health care, was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 2003 and inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2004.

The other 4 award receipients to be honoured @ the 21st Annual Crystal Awards, selected by an independent jury of former Crystal Award winners, are...

Outstanding Achievement Award
CHRISTINE SHIPTON, Senior Vice President, Drama/Factual Content, CanWest

Creative Excellence Award
TASSIE CAMERON, Screenwriter/Producer

Mentorship Award
LISA MEECHES, Executive Producer, President, Eagle Vision Inc., Meeches Video Production

Special Jury Award of Distinction
CHRISTA SINGER, Independent Producer/Director

The 2009 Crystal Awards are presented by NBC Universal and CanWest Broadcasting.

"...The Crystal Awards recognize the extraordinary achievements of women in film, television, and digital media, and are acknowledged as one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades. Each year, the Crystal Awards bring together industry, business, government, and media from across the country to celebrate the outstanding achievements of women in Canadian screen-based media.

Since the awards’ inception in 1988, more than 90 remarkable people have been honoured. Many of today’s senior executives and industry leaders are past recipients of a Crystal Award—a testament to the impact of women on the Canadian screen-based industry, as well as the global entertainment community at large..."

Women in Film & Television-Toronto (WIFT-T) is a not for profit professional organization founded in 1984, supporting women in screen-based media (film, television and digital media) to build, advance and sustain their careers nationally and internationally. WIFT-T does this through hands-on high quality programming, mentoring, networking and industry events that recognize the talents and potential of women. WIFT-T’s mission is to enhance the skills of its members so they can become significant decision-makers at all levels of the industry...

Open Audition Casting Call For "SKINS"...

2009-11-19T05:46:00.000-08:00

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An Open Audition for LEAD ROLES for the US version of the hit UK drama "SKINS", to be produced in a presentation pilot by Company Pictures and E1 Entertainment Television, for MTV, will take place :

NOVEMBER 21, 10AM to 4PM ONLY !
@ Jarvis Collegiate, 495 Jarvis Street, Toronto
(enter through doors on Jarvis)

VERY IMPORTANT

YOU MUST BE AGED 16-18 BY FEBRUARY 2010-BRING PHOTO I.D. AS PROOF OF AGE

Check the UK television series out on e4.com/skins

ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT skinsopencall@gmail.com

"Flashpoint" Cops 3 Gemini Awards...

2009-11-15T11:50:00.001-08:00

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The Toronto-lensed CTV/CBS cop series "Flashpoint", won 3 awards @ the 24 annual Gemini Awards, November 14 in Calgary, Alberta, celebrating 'the best' in English-language, Canadian television.

"Flashpoint" won for Best Drama, Best Director for Kelly Makin and Best Actor in a continuing drama for Enrico Colantoni.

CBC-TV shows also won Gemini Awards including the "Rick Mercer Report" winning for Best Comedy, "Dragon's Den" for Best Reality series and Erin Karpluk winning Best Actress in a continuing leading dramatic role for "Being Erica".

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Flashpoint" and "Being Erica"...

CBC And Telefilm Cut A Deal For Canadian Movies...

2009-11-12T15:42:00.001-08:00

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According to reports, Telefilm and CBC have made a deal that will allow four Telefilm-funded movies a year to air during primetime.

CBC will contribute to the development /production of the films, to go into commercial release in cinemas before being aired on TV.

Both CBC and Telefilm agree to collaborate with indie producers on the creation/promotion of their films.

CBC said it would air the films Sunday evenings...

"Scotiabank Giller Prize"- November 10...

2009-11-10T08:45:00.000-08:00

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Televised live, the "ScotiaBank Giller Prize" awards included Joseph Boyden, last year's Giller Prize winner for his novel "Through Black Spruce", presenting author Kim Echlin's "The Disappeared".

Canadian actor Hugh "Flashpoint" Dillon presented author Colin McAdam's "Fall".

Actress Rachelle "Twilight" Lefevre presented author Anne Michaels' "The Winter Vault".

Author Wayne Johnston presented Linden MacIntyre's "The Bishop's Man".

Broadcaster/author Paula Todd presented Annabel Lyon's "The Golden Mean"..

The "Scotiabank Giller Prize" awards $50,000 annually to the author of the best Canadian novel or short story collection published in English and $5,000 to each of the finalists. The Awards were named in honour of late literary journalist Doris Giller, founded in 1994 by her husband Toronto businessman Jack Rabinovitch.

Update: Linden MacIntyre has been named the 2009 winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize for his novel "The Bishop’s Man", published by Random House Canada. The announcement was made live on Bravo! and BookTelevision at the black-tie dinner/award ceremony that drew nearly 500 members of the local publishing, media and arts communities...

"Canadian New Media Awards"- December 1...

2009-11-08T06:42:00.000-08:00

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The Canadian New Media Awards (CNMAs), Canada's only national competition celebrating accomplishments by the country's most successful digital media companies, has announced this year’s nominees in 19 different award categories.

As part of nextMEDIA Toronto, Canada's leading digital media production/development marketplace, the CNMAs gala takes place December 1st, 2009 at the Toronto Design Exchange.

New categories introduced this year include Best Online Video Portal, Best Mobile Application and Brand of the Year.

"As Canada’s only nationwide new media competition of its kind, we’re proud of the achievements that this country’s innovators have to offer," said Mark Greenspan, Executive Producer, nextMEDIA.

The event will be a four-part affair comprised of a pre-awards showcase, cocktail reception, awards ceremony and after party...

Twisted Pictures Are Overcome With "Sorrow"...

2009-11-08T04:47:00.001-08:00

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Twisted Pictures, the 7-year old Los Angeles-based producers of the 6-picture, Toronto-lensed "Saw" movies, "Repo: The Genetic Opera" and the upcoming reboot of "Scanners", is reportedly developing Image Comics' graphic novel "Sorrow" as a feature film.

Michael Hildalgo will adapt the screenplay from the comics created by writers Rick Remender/Seth Peck and illustrator Francesco Francavilla.

According to Remender, "Sorrow" is a classic ghost story about two young girls that get trapped in a town "where nothing is at it seems", focusing on 'spirit possession', when the main characters, following a car crash on a rural road, find themselves stranded in a strange town....

Jennifer Beals: "The Night Before The Night Before Christmas"...

2009-11-05T09:32:00.001-08:00

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Actress Jennifer "Flashdance" Beals, the former star of Vancouver-lensed "The L Word", is back in Canada to headline the Toronto-filmed, Hallmark Channel original movie "The Night Before the Night Before Christmas."

The family film focuses on 'Santa Claus' who accidentally leaves the North Pole a day early, only to crash-land on a family's roof.

Currently shooting in Toronto, the film is set to premiere in 2010 on the Hallmark Channel...

CFC Creates 'CFC North-South Marketplace'...

2009-11-04T07:55:00.000-08:00

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The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) has announced the creation of the 'CFC North-South Marketplace' "...to support, foster and build cross-border relationships for Canadian talent that will enhance a vibrant motion picture industry in Canada..."

The CFC North-South Marketplace, supported by the Copyright Collective of Canada, seeks to cultivate north-south relationships for the CFC's community of talent, alumni and industry, brokering creative/business exchanges and relationships between Canadian talent and industry professionals in the US.

"...The program will also provide incentives for Canadian artists to capitalize on their marketplace experiences by bringing home and sharing their expertise and success in the entertainment community and stimulating creativity and innovation in the production industry in Canada..."

“The entertainment business is going through tumultuous change: New technology, new business models, and new audience behaviour," said Slawko Klymkiw, Executive Director, CFC.

"The 21st century realities force us to take a hard look at development, production, creation and distribution processes across all media... It is precisely this need - the need to assess the ways in which we marry an evolving business environment with our dynamic CFC talent base - that has inspired the North-South Marketplace."

As part of the CFC North-South Marketplace, an online contest, The Reel Challenge: Make Your Own Movie will launch in early December, asking Canadian talent to submit a film spot that addresses the importance of 'content protection' in a compelling way from a creator’s perspective. The 1st place winner will receive a $10,000 prize.

"Contemporary artists face unprecedented opportunities, yet, at the same time, enormous challenges with respect to controlling the distribution, use and reproduction of their works," said Klymkiw.

"The Reel Challenge will be an excellent opportunity for Canadian creators to take ownership of their creativity and promote their work..."

WIFT-T: 21st Annual Crystal Awards- November 30...

2009-11-02T04:29:00.001-08:00

"The winners are a testament to hard work, passion, and creativity. We are honoured to celebrate their achievements.”

The 21st Annual Crystal Award winners, selected by an independent jury of former Crystal Award recipients, are:

Outstanding Achievement Award
CHRISTINE SHIPTON, Senior Vice President, Drama/Factual Content, CanWest

Creative Excellence Award
TASSIE CAMERON, Screenwriter/Producer

Mentorship Award
LISA MEECHES, Executive Producer, President, Eagle Vision Inc., Meeches Video Production

Special Jury Award of Distinction
CHRISTA SINGER, Independent Producer/Director

Swank Takes Off As "Amelia"...

2009-10-29T18:11:00.000-07:00

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"Amelia" is the Toronto-lensed feature, based on the life of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, starring actors Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor and Virginia Madsen, directed by Mira Nair based on a script by Ronald Bass.

Bass wrote the script using several books on Earhart as sources including author Susan Butler's "East to the Dawn", Mary S. Lovell's "The Sound of the Wings" and Elgin Long's "Amelia Earhart: The Mystery Solved."

The new film chronicles Earhart's rise to fame and her relationship with husband 'George Putnam'.

Historically, Earhart was the first woman to receive the 'Distinguished Flying Cross' for flying solo across the Atlantic Ocean, authored best-selling novels about her flying experiences and was instrumental in the formation of 'The Ninety-Nines' organization for women pilots.

Earhart disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean near Howland Island during an attempt to make a circumnavigational flight of the globe in 1937.

CFC Debuts "Seth On Survival" Web Pilot...

2009-10-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

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The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) has announced the premiere of its newest web series pilot, "Seth On Survival", offerings tips on surviving 'supernatural threats'.

Produced as five 5-minute episodes for online distribution, "Seth On Survival", offers to:

"...teach humanity how to survive the dangerous supernatural threats that surround us everyday: werewolves, zombies, vampires, aliens, leprechauns and cyborgs, to name just a few. With the help of little brother Sam and best friend Graham, Seth researches and tests survival myths and tips before passing them on from SOS HQ in Mom's suburban basement. Your survival is virtually guaranteed..."

Actor Ephraim "Falcon Beach" Ellis stars as 'Seth Greening', eclectic former physics major/professional supernatural survivalist alongside actor Jonathan "Charlie Bartlett" Malen as 'Graham Pochondriak', Seth’s high-strung best friend/right-hand man.

Created/written by CFC alumna Teri Armitage and co-creator Torin Stefanson, "Seth On Survival" is produced by Anneli Ekborn and Michael Gelfand, directed by Craig David Wallace and edited by Jonathan Eagan, Katie Chipperfield.

"Seth On Survival" is produced with donations from Urban Post Production, William F. White, Vapor Music Group, Eastern Script, Wallace Studios @ Centennial College, Technicolor Creative Services, Location Equipment Supply, Stohn Hay Cafazzo Dembroski Richmond LLP, Able and the work of cast/crew.

The CFC TV Pilot Program expands training beyond the theoretical by allowing residents to produce/distribute their original series concepts using the web as a means of showcasing talent/projects to the largest possible audience, and in acquiring a license to produce further episodes of the series, for television/or online broadcast.

The program works with emerging creators to develop and produce up to six 5-minute episodes that represent the look, style, and tone of their shows.

The CFC Pilot Program is funded by The Government of Ontario and supported by ACTRA, WGC, DGC, NABET, and IATSE...

"Star Wars: In Concert"- In Toronto November 26...

2009-10-24T23:16:00.000-07:00

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"Star Wars: In Concert" will play Toronto's Air Canada Centre, November 26, 2009.

The Lucasfilm Ltd. live show features composer John Williams' music from all six "Star Wars" films in a multi-media setting with newly edited film sequences projected in tune to the music onto one of the largest LED screens ever taken on tour.

The show will be supported by a live symphony orchestra, a chorus and narrator (Anthony "C3PO" Daniels) to introduce each segment, accompanied by a traveling exhibit of "Star Wars" film props, models and costumes.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek the trailer promoting "Star Wars Live In Concert"...

Reitman Joins Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab...

2009-10-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

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The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) has confirmed several filmmaking teams and mentors/guests for the 'Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab', a creative/business catalyst for new comedy projects destined for theatrical release, pairing experienced Canadian feature film producers, their writer/or director teams and their scripts, to further develop/package English-language theatrical feature comedies for 2010.

Chaired by actor/writer Eugene "Bobby Bittman" Levy, the Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab, a CFC Film program presented in collaboration with "Just For Laughs", is noted as Canada’s first advanced professional program designed to develop/package theatrical feature-length comedies.

Chosen projects and teams include:

Victory Man Productions’ "Servitude" from writer/producer Michael Sparaga, director Warren P. Sonoda, Resonance Films’ romantic comedy "That Burning Feeling" from writer Nicolas Citton, producer/director Jason James, "Ramington's: Men Of Steel" from writer Sacha Pavlovic, producer Mark Montefiore and the comedy western "Saddlebags" by writer Christine Lippa and producers Elizabeth Yake (True West Films), Angela Heck (Three Bags Full Film, Inc.).

"To me, the Features Comedy Lab is one of the most important building blocks to insure a vibrant future for Canadian film comedy,” said Levy.

Mentors/guests confirmed to date include producer Jimmy "Elf" Miller, Mosaic Media Group, producer/director Ivan "Stripes" Reitman, The Montecito Picture Company, producer Tai "Epic Movie" Duncan, Paul Schiff Productions and producer Alan "Walk The Line" Blomquist, Parallel Entertainment Pictures.

More mentors/guests TBA.

"These developments are a huge vote of confidence in the Comedy Lab concept from the English Canadian feature film community, a response that goes way beyond what we expected," said Sheila de La Varende, Director of National & International Business Development, Telefilm Canada.

"...The Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab seeks to advance the comedy genre in Canada and generate comedies that achieve commercial and critical success. Starting in November 2009, the three-month program will see filmmaking teams and their feature comedy scripts engage in workshops, master classes and intimate one-on-one sessions with leading industry professionals to strengthen their scripts and increase their packaging appeal for investment..."

Toronto Film Production Update- October 2009...

2009-10-22T11:18:00.001-07:00

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TV SERIES:

Being Erica (Season 2
Jun 01/09 - Nov 16/09

Copper
Jun 13/09 - Dec 01/09

Crash and Burn

Dan for Mayor
Sep 14/09- Nov 20/09

Happy Town
Mar 11/09 - Apr 04/10

Murdoch Mysteries (Season 3)
Jul 08/09 - Nov 17/09

Overruled! Season III
Oct 19/09 - Dec 01/09

Features, Films, Movies of the Week, TV Miniseries,
New Media:

A Kiss and a Promise
Nov 10/09- Dec 05/09

American Wife
Oct 31/09 - Oct 01/09

Beat the World
Sep 28/09- Nov 02/09

Clark Rockefeller
Oct 19/09 - Nov 13/09

Devil
Oct 24/09 -Dec 12/09

Do I Come On Too Strong
Nov 01/09 - Nov 02/09

Every Emotion Costs
Nov 01/09 - Nov 21/09

Hangnail
Nov 07/09 - Nov 08/09

Knock, Knock
Oct 02/09 - Dec 11/09

Lois Wilson Story
Nov 5- Dec 8/09

The Night Before The Night Before Christmas
Oct 13/09 - Nov 02/09

Oliver Sherman
Oct 13/09 - Nov 11/09

Resident Evil IV: Afterlife
Sep 26/09 - Dec 19/09

Small Town Murder Scenes
Oct 13/09 - Nov 14/09

Summer Strikes Back
Sep 28/09 - Oct 31/09

Textuality
Nov 30/09 - Dec 30/09