Telefilm Canada is supporting 25 Canadian film festivals, under the Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program (in its second round of decisions). A total of 47 film festivals are supported under this program in fiscal year 2025-2026 with 22 film festivals supported in the first round. This second intake of the program represents an additional investment of $2.26 million.
The Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program provides financial support to long-established medium to large-scale Canadian film festivals that help promote Canadian films and talent and stimulate demand for our multiscreen content.
Telefilm is committed to advancing the development of the industry and reaching audiences where they are. Through this program, Telefilm supports film festivals across the country and remains committed to foster and support an industry that is representative of all communities in Canada.
List of all medium to large-scale film festivals supported by Telefilm (starting between April 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026):
2026 Atlantic International Film Festival
2026 Calgary International Film Festival
2026 Calgary Underground Film Festival
2026 CaribbeanTales International Film Festival
2026 Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival
2026 DOXA Documentary Film Festival
2026 Gimli International Film Festival
2026 Hot Docs Festival
2026 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
2026 Inside Out Film Festival
2026 iSAFF International South Asian Film Festival
2026 Lunenburg Doc Fest
2026 Ottawa International Animation Festival
2026 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF)
2026 Vancouver International Film Festival
2026 Vancouver Queer Film Festival
2026 Yorkton Film Festival
Festival cinéma du monde de Sherbrooke 2026
Festival de cinéma de la ville de Québec 2026
Festival du film de l’Outaouais 2026
Festival Fantasia 2026
Festival international de cinéma et d’art Les Percéides 2026
Festival international de cinéma Vues d’Afrique 2026
Festival International du Film Black de Montréal 2026
Les Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma 2026
The decision-making process takes into account the promotion of Canadian and Indigenous content and talent, and Telefilm’s objective to fund an equitable and balanced portfolio in terms of regional representation and diversity of voices.
Today, multi-platinum country star Dasha rolls out her hotly anticipated Anna EP via Warner Records. Listen HERE. The eclectic 8-song set, raw and introspective at times, rowdy and rollicking at others, includes the stripped-back ballad “Train” and the fiery new single “Work on Me,” which captures Dasha’s trademark confidence and sass, as well as her willingness to experiment with bold pop hooks.
Bar songs have a special place in country music, and Dasha leans into that legacy with “Work on Me.” After setting the scene over a punchy guitar and harmonica, she goes in for the kill at her local watering hole when a rugged stranger with a drawl captures her attention. “Workin’ with your hands ’til they’re covered in grease, fixin’ up your Bronco in the Tennessee heat,” she purrs over John Ryan’s breezy production. “I’m a little broken, baby, could you work on me?”
Dasha continues with the car imagery in the feel-good video, which finds her running an auto shop with a team of bad-ass women mechanics. When a customer gives the glamorous boss an attitude, she promptly dismantles his truck — that is, when she’s not indulging in a little workshop choreography with the girls. It’s irreverent, sexy, and quintessentially Dasha.
A nod to her birth name, the Anna EP is a deeply personal body of work that revisits formative memories while carving a bold path forward. On the wistful “Train,” Dasha ruminates on planting new roots: “You learn the turns and time the lights, the town you didn’t recognize / Becomes a little more like home.” The song, penned by songwriter Kyle Sturrock, resonated with Dasha as a reflection of her own journey, leaving home at 18 to find her footing in Nashville.
Other tracks include the fiery ear candy of “Like It Like That” — whose official video stars Love Island’s Rob Rausch and entrepreneur/influencer Briley King — not to mention the deeply vulnerable “Oh, Anna!” and Dasha’s inescapable smash “Not at This Party,” a relatable toe-tapper that has generated over 133 million streams to date and spawned a remix by GRAMMY® Award-winning superstar David Guetta — and which Dasha brought to NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for a boot-stomping performance.
Dasha recently spoke about the making of Anna and the challenges of instant viral fame on Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, reflecting on the online criticism and name-calling that followed her runaway hit “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’).” “It digs in on things I have said about myself in my moments of weakness, and I think that’s why it cuts so deep,” she says. “I know that’s not true, but everyone talks about themselves like that sometimes.”
Other 2025 milestones include: the MTV VMAs, where she was nominated for Push Performance of the Year; picking up a Best New Female Artist nod at the 2025 ACM Awards; and conquering the Mane Stage at Stagecoach Festival. In a review of the latter, GLAMOUR raved, “Her childlike excitement was contagious, the ecstasy of a performer finding her audience, and the crowd roared.” She brought that excitement to a headline run throughout Canada and is currently supporting Kane Brown on his UK arena tour. Tickets and info HERE.
Dasha broke out with the 2023 release of her global smash single “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” from her debut country album, What Happens Now. With the help of a self-choreographed line dance, the song became a worldwide sensation, taking over TikTok, honky tonks, and radio waves worldwide while amassing more than 1.5 billion streams, and is certified 8x Platinum in Canada.
And that was only the beginning. Dasha landed coveted spots at country music meccas across 2024, including Stagecoach, Austin City Limits, CMA Fest, and the CMT Awards. She then sold out her first headlining world tour, Dashville USA, and performed on two of TV’s biggest broadcasts: the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. “Austin (Boots Stopped Workin’)” went on to become one of the most-streamed country songs of the year and won the Female Song of 2024 at the People’s Choice Country Awards.
From viral line dances to sold-out shows, Dasha has already made her mark on the country-pop landscape. With Anna and “Work on Me,” she begins the next chapter — one built on fearless honesty, unstoppable energy, and music that makes you want to scoot your boot.
Dasha Live Dates
Oct 10 – London, England, United Kingdom @ Wembley Arena Pavilion *
Oct 17 – London, ON, Canada @ London Music Hall
Oct 18 – ON, Canada @ Elements, Kitchener
Oct 19 – Ottawa, ON, Canada @ The Bronson Centre
Oct 25 – Atlanta, GA @ Helluva Block Party
Nov 8 – Tuscaloosa, AL @ Champions Lane Concert Series
*with Kane Brown
Today, South Korean superstar singer, actress, and international style icon JISOO unites with multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter, producer, and philanthropist ZAYN to release the epic new collaborative single “EYES CLOSED.” Set to expansive, genre-swirling production, the duet captures the nervous anticipation and thrilling freefall of diving into new love without looking back. Listen to “EYES CLOSED” HERE via Warner Records.
The momentous team-up arrives as JISOO continues to delight audiences on BLACKPINK’s Deadline World Tour, which has sold out stadiums on multiple continents already — check out the full, ongoing itinerary below. Meanwhile, ZAYN is set to kick off 2026 with his first-ever Las Vegas residency, marking the beginning of what will be a massive year as he gears up for his next chapter. Tickets are on sale now — go HERE for details.
“EYES CLOSED” opens on a tender moment. “Time is standing still and I don’t want to leave your lips / Tracing my body with your fingertips,” sings JISOO, and ZAYN replies, “I know what you’re feeling and I know you want to say it / I do too, but we gotta be patient.” Their cinematic story unfolds as the soundtrack deepens — warm keys and raw acoustic guitar mix with throbbing bass synth, and loads of gravity-free atmosphere. Together, their soulful vocals make a vow as they build into the huge chorus: “Say, oh, we should fall in love with our eyes closed / Better if we keep it where we don’t know / The beds we been in, the names and the faces of who we were with / And oh, ain’t nobody perfect but it’s all good / The past can’t hurt us if we don’t look / Let’s let it go, better if we fall in love with our eyes closed.”
Earlier this year, JISOO released her highly anticipated debut mini album AMORTAGE led by the singles “earthquake” and “Your Love,” which she’s been performing during her solo set on tour with BLACKPINK. AMORTAGE is JISOO’s most comprehensive solo work yet and marked a “rebirth” of the global superstar. Taking its name from a fusion of “amor” and “montage,” the four-song set explores the emotional stages of love and the many vivid moments of a relationship. The release debuted at #1 on the South Korea Albums Chart and also spawned the dancefloor-shaking Sam Feldt remix of “earthquake.” Listen to AMORTAGE in full HERE.
AMORTAGE has also solidified JISOO as a bona fide solo force of nature. Beyond generating nearly half a billion streams in less than 6 months, the set earned widespread acclaim. NYLON hailed it as “big, euphoric bubblegum pop that falls somewhere between Kylie Minogue and Carly Rae Jepsen,” and hypebae applauded how “the EP explores the different waves of love — from passion to heartbreak.” EUPHORIA. gave the mini album 4/5 stars, highlighting the way “the record speaks of the flaming nature of that oft-referenced and sung-about emotion we call love. In one, her love is so strong it could produce an earthquake and in another, cosmic laws are broken just because they’re together.” Plus, Billboard raved, “The BLACKPINK superstar delivers sonic surprises, confident vocals and radio-ready tracks to prove her global pop star status,” while NME proclaimed, “It’s refreshing to see JISOO make music as playful as her personality.”
ZAYN, known for his skyscraping vocals and hybrid style of pop and R&B, has left an indelible mark on pop culture. He made history with his debut solo album Mind of Mine, becoming the first UK male solo artist to debut at No. 1 on both the UK and US album charts in its first week of release. The album’s lead single, “PILLOWTALK,” hit #1 in 68 countries around the world and has since been certified 5x platinum by the RIAA. In 2024, he released his raw and revealing fourth studio album, ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS, via Mercury Records to critical acclaim, and embarked on his first-ever solo tour across the US, UK, and Mexico. Most recently, ZAYN collaborated with Borderlands 4 to release “Break Free,” an original song created for the latest installment in the popular video game franchise.
Attracting over 79 million Instagram followers and generating billions of streams, JISOO launched her meteoric solo rise in 2023. She earned accolades and made history with her debut single album, ME, which immediately became the best-selling album by a solo female artist in South Korea and the first to sell more than 1 million copies. With her breakout single “꽃 (FLOWER),” JISOO also became the first female K-pop solo artist to achieve 1 million preorders — before tallying the highest first-week sales by a female solo artist to date and the highest 24-hour viewership of any K-pop music video in all of 2023. The song also broke records for the highest-charting hit by a solo Korean female on the Canadian Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. Stateside, it catapulted to #2 on the Billboard Global 200 and #1 on the Global Excl. U.S. Chart.
Along the way, JISOO’s influence has also spread across fashion and culture. She has served as a global ambassador for Dior, Cartier, and Dyson in addition to being named the face of ALO Yoga in 2024. That same year, she made waves as “the most-mentioned celebrity during New York Fashion Week” on social media. Plus, she stars in the K-Drama series Newtopia, streaming now on Prime Video. And, of course, she launched her career as part of global girl group BLACKPINK, selling out stadiums, winning numerous awards, and captivating millions of fans worldwide.
BLACKPINK Deadline World Tour
10/18 – Kaohsiung, Taiwan @ Kaohsiung National Stadium
10/19 – Kaohsiung, Taiwan @ Kaohsiung National Stadium
10/24 – Bangkok, Thailand @ Rajmangala National Stadium
10/25 – Bangkok, Thailand @ Rajmangala National Stadium
10/26 – Bangkok, Thailand @ Rajmangala National Stadium
11/1 – Jakarta, Indonesia @ Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
11/2 – Jakarta, Indonesia @ Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
11/22 – Bocaue, Philippines @ Philippine Arena
11/23 – Bocaue, Philippines @ Philippine Arena
11/28 – Kallang, Singapore @ Singapore National Stadium
11/29 – Kallang, Singapore @ Singapore National Stadium
11/30 – Kallang, Singapore @ Singapore National Stadium
1/16 – Tokyo, Japan @ Tokyo Dome
1/17 – Tokyo, Japan @ Tokyo Dome
1/18 – Tokyo, Japan @ Tokyo Dome
1/24 – Kowloon, Hong Kong @ Kai Tak Stadium
1/25 – Kowloon, Hong Kong @ Kai Tak Stadium
1/26 – Kowloon, Hong Kong @ Kai Tak Stadium
ZAYN AT DOLBY LIVE AT PARK MGM (LAS VEGAS) DATES:
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026
Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026
Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026
Friday, Jan. 30, 2026
Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026
María Zardoya, frontwoman of revered indie-pop band The Marías, announces debut album, Melt, under her solo project Not for Radio. Melt is out October 10 on Atlantic Records.
Listen here.
Recorded in January 2025 at Flying Cloud Recordings in Upstate New York with artist-producer Sam Evian and producer and instrumentalist Luca Buccellati, Melt unfolded in real time as the trio unplugged from the outside world and immersed themselves in nature and music. From that grew an album of gothic romanticism, filled with intimate, psychedelic ballads that embody love’s decay reborn into sound. Zardoya began teasing the project on social media in August, following an Instagram livestream with a series of cryptic messages dropping on streaming platforms under the Not for Radio moniker.
All ten tracks reflecting the alchemy of grief, solitude, and creative communion that defined the album’s creation will be released at once on October 10th.
Not for Radio marks a bold new chapter for Zardoya, even as The Marías continue their ascent following their 2024 breakthrough album Submarine, which reached No. 17 on the Billboard 200 and delivered their first Hot 100 single, “No One Noticed.” The band has toured with Billie Eilish, appeared on Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti, most recently collaborated with Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco on the Latin Airplay-chart topper “Ojos Tristes,” and scored two VMA nominations for ‘Best Alternative’ and ‘Best New Artist’ at this year’s ceremony.
MELT TRACKLIST:
Puddles
My Turn
Moment
Back to You
Swan
Not the Only One
Magnet
Vueltas
Water On Your Nose
Slip
(Photo credit: Jax Whittington)
Paramount Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of REGRETTING YOU.
Screenings take place as follows:
TORONTO
Monday, October 20th | 7:00PM
Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
MONTREAL
Monday, October 20th | 7:00PM | ENG
Cinéma Cineplex Forum et VIP
MONTREAL
Monday, October 20th | 7:00PM | FRE
Cineplex Cinema Quartier Latin
VANCOUVER
Monday, October 20th | 7:00PM
Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver
CALGARY
Monday, October 20th | 7:00PM
Landmark Cinemas Country Hills
Synopsis:
Based on the bestselling book, REGRETTING YOU introduces audiences to Morgan Grant (Allison Williams) and her daughter Clara (Mckenna Grace)
as they explore what’s left behind after a devastating accident reveals a shocking betrayal and forces them to confront family secrets, redefine love, and rediscover each other.
REGRETTING YOU is a story of growth, resilience, and self-discovery in the aftermath of tragedy, also starring Dave Franco and Mason Thames with Scott Eastwood and Willa Fitzgerald, in theatres this October.
To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK or IG. “Like” post and tag a friend you’re taking. Multiple entries allowed.
Rules and regulations here.
Paramount PIctures Canada release REGRETTING YOU in theatres October 24, 2025.
(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)
The Royal Hotel is proud to announce its continued recognition among Canada’s leading destinations for culinary and guest excellence. The property has once again been awarded a prestigious MICHELIN Key, a distinction reserved for hotels that exemplify exceptional hospitality and design. The Royal Hotel is the only property in Ontario, outside of a major city center, to be recognized with this honour in 2025.
Adding to this achievement, The Royal has also recently been recognized by the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and VineRoutes’ inaugural Restaurant Awards, underscoring its reputation as a premier destination for food, wine, and refined travel experiences in Prince Edward County.
“To receive a MICHELIN Key for the second year in a row is nothing short of surreal,” says Sol Korngold, General Manager at The Royal Hotel. “We’re a small team with a big heart, and this recognition celebrates every thoughtful detail and every warm welcome. It’s an honour we don’t take lightly—and one that inspires us to keep raising the bar.”
Recent distinctions include:
2025 MICHELIN Key: Awarded to hotels that deliver extraordinary hospitality experiences, exceptional design, and outstanding service – representing the MICHELIN Guide’s highest honour for accommodations.
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards – Top 20 Hotels in Eastern Canada: One of the world’s most respected travel honours, voted on by readers to spotlight hotels that consistently exceed guest expectations in service, atmosphere, and experience.
VineRoutes 2025 Restaurant Awards: The first-ever edition celebrating Ontario’s most inspiring food and wine destinations, recognizing excellence in culinary creativity, beverage programs, and regional storytelling.
“To be given a Vine Routes Award of Distinction, named a Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice for three straight years – and now a two-time Michelin Key recipient – feels like a dream we never dared to dream. I see these honours as love letters from our guests; affirmations that soul, service, and sincerity still stand out,” says Korngold.
The Royal Hotel has also recently been featured in Forbes, highlighting Chef Albert Ponzo’s vision in bringing elevated culinary experiences to Prince Edward County, further cementing the property’s reputation as a must-visit destination for food and hospitality enthusiasts. Read the full article that was published today here.
These accolades reflect The Royal’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful hospitality, elevated dining, and a distinctly County-inspired approach to luxury. For more information, to book a stay, or to make restaurant or spa reservations, visit theroyalhotel.ca.
Connect with The Royal Hotel
Website: www.theroyalhotel.ca
Instagram: @theroyalhotelpicton
Facebook: TheRoyalHotelPicton
About The Royal Hotel
The Royal Hotel is a contemporary resort and spa in the heart of Prince Edward County, offering guests a refined yet relaxed hospitality experience rooted in the region’s vibrant food, wine, and wellness culture. Reopened in 2022 after a decade-long restoration, the hotel features 28 beautifully appointed rooms in its historic main building and five additional suites in the adjacent Royal Annex. Guests can enjoy a full suite of amenities including an award-winning restaurant led by Executive Chef Albert Ponzo, an in-house bakery, a cozy hotel bar, curated retail offerings, conference and event spaces, a full-service spa and sauna, and a seasonal outdoor garden with a heated spa pool and bar. With many ingredients sourced from the hotel’s own Edwin County Farms and partnerships with local artisans and producers, The Royal is both a welcoming home base and a gateway to exploring all that Prince Edward County has to offer
THE TORONTO CHINESE CANADIAN FILM FESTIVAL returns at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, running October 18-24, 2025.
Festival Overview
The second annual Toronto Chinese Canadian Film Festival (TCCFF) – founded by 75-year-old Tery (Wong) Imamura who herself aspires to have her Screenplay turned into a film – returns to ignite cultural connections through seven unforgettable nights of cinema. More than just screenings, we’re building bridges between communities while championing the next generation of Chinese storytellers.
The Festival is highlighted by films like THE PROSECUTOR, EXCLUSION: BEYOND THE SILENCE, AN ABANDONED TEAM, and KUNG FU JUNIORS starring action legend Sammo Hung.
Opening Night: Where Magic Begins
Picture this: The energy of dreamers gathering, the buzz of anticipation in the air, the curtain rising on a week of cinematic wonder. This isn’t just film-watching — it’s an immersion into the vibrant heartbeat of Chinese creativity.
Spotlight: Short Film and Documentary Competition
Witness bold new voices compete for our 5 categories $11,500 Audience Choice Awards — not just a prize, but a launchpad for visionary filmmakers. Will your vote crown this year’s standout talent?
Your Festival Experience:
Doors open at 4:30 PM daily. Cultural activities & folk art exhibitions. Authentic Asian cuisine is available.
Single tickets and 7-Day Passes also are available here.
Paramount+ today unveiled the official trailer for MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN season four, which returns for its global premiere on Sunday, October 26, 2025, starring Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Edie Falco.
MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN is co-created by Oscar nominee Taylor Sheridan and Canadian Hugh Dillon. The drama series is produced by Paramount Television Studios, 101 Studios and Bosque Ranch Productions exclusively for Paramount+.
In season four, Mike’s control over Kingstown is threatened as new players compete to fill the power vacuum left in the Russians’ wake, compelling him to confront the resulting gang war and stop them from swallowing the town. Meanwhile, with those he loves in more danger than ever before, Mike must contend with a headstrong new Warden to protect his own while grappling with demons from his past.
In addition to Renner and Falco, the series stars BAFTA Award® winner Lennie James, Tony Award® winner Laura Benanti, Canadian Hugh Dillon, Taylor Handley, Tobi Bamtefa, Derek Webster, Hamish Allan- Headley and Nishi Munshi.
MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN is executive produced by Taylor Sheridan, Canadian Hugh Dillon, Jeremy Renner, Antoine Fuqua, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Michael Friedman, Dave Erickson, Christoph Schrewe, Wendy Riss, Evan Perazzo and Keith Cox. Erickson also serves as showrunner for the series. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
Seasons 1-3 of MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN are available to binge exclusively on Paramount+.
The series is part of Sheridan’s growing slate on Paramount+, which includes YELLOWSTONE, LANDMAN, 1923, LIONESS, TULSA KING, 1883, LAWMEN: BASS REEVES and the upcoming NOLA KING, starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Today, Netflix debuted the official trailer for Death by Lightning starring Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman, Bradley Whitford, Shea Whigham and Betty Gilpin. Coming to Netflix November 6, 2025.
“The fact that he’s been relegated to this obscure footnote because he was targeted by an assassin is a great tragedy. It is one of the great ‘what ifs’ in American history.”
ABOUT DEATH BY LIGHTNING:
Death by Lightning is a drama series that brings to life the epic and stranger-than-fiction true story of James Garfield, reluctant 20th president of the United States, and his greatest admirer Charles Guiteau — the man who would come to kill him.
Format: Limited Series, 4 episodes
Creator / Writer / Executive Producer: Mike Makowsky (Bad Education)
Executive Producers: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (3 Body Problem, Game of Thrones), Bernie Caulfield (3 Body Problem, Game of Thrones, Big Love)
Director / Executive Producer: Matt Ross (28 Hotel Rooms, Captain Fantastic, Gaslit)
Series Regulars: Michael Shannon (President James Garfield), Matthew Macfadyen (Charles Giteau), Nick Offerman (Chester Arthur), Bradley Whitford (James Blaine), Shea Whigham (Roscoe Conkling), Betty Gilpin (Crete Garfield)
Guest Stars: Alistair Petrie (John Sherman), Archie Fisher (Joe Brown), Barry Shabaka Henley (Senator Blanche Bruce), Ben Miles (George Scoville), Kyle Soller (Robert Todd Lincoln), Laura Marcus (Mollie Garfield), Paula Malcomson (Franny Scoville), Shaun Parkes (Dr. Charles Purvis), Tuppence Middleton (Kate Chase Sprague), Vondie Curtis Hall (Frederick Douglass), Željko Ivanek (Dr. Doctor Bliss)
Focus Features and Universal Pictures Canada will release HAMNET In Select Theatres on Thursday, November 27, 2025. In Theatres Nationwide on Friday, December 12, 2025.
Directed by: Chloé Zhao
Screenplay by: Chloé Zhao & Maggie O’Farrell
Based on the novel by MAGGIE O’FARRELL
Producers: Liza Marshall, p.g.a., Pippa Harris, p.g.a., Nicolas Gonda, p.g.a., Sam Mendes, p.g.a., Steven Spielberg, p.g.a.
Executive Producers: Kristie Macosko Krieger, Chloé Zhao, Laurie Borg
Cast: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn
Synopsis: From Academy Award® winning writer/director Chloé Zhao, HAMNET tells the powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet.

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