Telefilm Canada is announcing its commitment to six Indigenous projects through its Indigenous Funding streams in the Theatrical Documentary Program and the Production Program from both the English and French markets, totaling an investment of nearly $3 million.

An annual commitment of $4 million is earmarked for Indigenous creators from Canada’s Indigenous communities, with the remainder amount reserved for Indigenous projects submitted through the Talent to Watch Program and the Development Program.

Projects in the English market:

Aberdeen (formerly Treaty Days) (drama)

Directors: Eva Thomas and Ryan Wilson

Screenwriter: Ryan Wilson

Production: Back to Space Productions Inc. and Farpoint Films

Province: Manitoba

Qaqsoss naka Wahuntsis (animation)

Director and Screenwriter: Tara Audibert

Production: Moxy Fox Studio

Province: New Brunswick

Rite of Passage (documentary)

Director and Screenwriter: Eliza Knockwood

Production: Red Giant Productions Inc.

Province: Prince Edward Island

Uiksaringitara (Wrong Husband) (drama)

Director: Zacharias Kunuk

Screenwriters: Zacharias Kunuk, Samuel Cohn-Cousineau and Carol Kunnuk

Production: Kingulliit Productions Inc.

Province: Nunavut

Projects in the French market:

Capitaine (action/adventure)

Director: William Mazzoleni Valin

Screenwriters: Sylvain Raymond and William Mazzoleni Valin

Production: Kassiwi Média Inc.

Province: Québec

Ces liens que nous ne voyons pas (documentary)

Director: Kim O’Bomsawin

Screenwriters: Kim O’Bomsawin and Mathieu Fournier

Production: Terre Innue Inc.

Province: Québec

More production funding decisions will be announced in the coming weeks. Statistics on all films funded in this fiscal year will be released once all funding decisions have been made.

In time for Pride month, we get a new look at RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE coming soon to Prime Video, and based on the popular novel of the same name! The Movie arrives August 11, 2023.

Details:

Directed by Matthew López
Screenplay by Matthew López and Ted Malawer
Based on the novel by Casey McQuiston
Produced by Greg Berlanti, p.g.a., Sarah Schechter, p.g.a.
Executive produced by Casey McQuiston, Michael Riley McGrath, Matthew López, Michael S. Constable
Starring Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine, Clifton Collins Jr., Sarah Shahi, Rachel Hilson, with Stephen Fry and Uma Thurman, Ellie Bamber, Thomas Flynn, Malcolm Atobrah, Akshay Khanna, Sharon D Clarke, Aneesh Sheth, and Juan Castano

Synopsis:

Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the President of the United States (Uma Thurman), and Britain’s Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) have a lot in common: Stunning good looks, undeniable charisma, international popularity … and a total disdain for each other. Separated by an ocean, their long-running feud hasn’t really been an issue, until a disastrous—and very public—altercation at a royal event becomes tabloid fodder, driving a potential wedge in U.S./British relations at the worst possible time. Going into damage-control mode, their families and handlers force the two rivals into a staged “truce.” But as Alex and Henry’s icy relationship unexpectedly begins to thaw into a tentative friendship, the friction that existed between them sparks something deeper than they ever expected. Based on Casey McQuiston’s critically acclaimed New York Times best seller, Red, White & Royal Blue marks the feature film writing and directing debut of Tony Award-winning playwright Matthew López (The Inheritance).

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada)

Check out a brand-new trailer celebrating Pixar Animation Studios’ “Carl’s Date.” Opening exclusively in theatres June 16, 2023 in front of Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental,” the all-new short marks a return to the studio’s tradition of pairing its feature films with animated shorts on the big screen. Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award winner Bob Peterson and produced by Kim Collins, “Carl’s Date” goes home with Carl Fredricksen (voice of Ed Asner) and his lovable talking dog, Dug (voice of Peterson), who were introduced in Pixar’s Oscar®-winning feature “Up.” Moviegoers will catch up with Carl as he reluctantly agrees to go on a date with a lady friend—but admittedly has no idea how dating works these days. Ever the helpful friend, Dug steps in to calm Carl’s pre-date jitters and offer some tried-and-true tips for making friends—if you’re a dog.

(Photo/video credit: Disney/Pixar)

The Upfronts took place last week in Toronto. The week sees our major Canadian networks presenting their upcoming 2023/2024 TV porgramming lineups and a chance for Advertisers to decide where best to put their placements.

The impact of the Writers’ Strike in Hollywood certainly could be felt this year with takent standing in solodarity with Writers, meaning fewer names would make their way to Toronto for festivities.

Despite that, we still are thrilled Quincy Isaiah made it out. Though he might still be an emerging name, he is a name to watch out for. He plays Magic Johnson in acclaimed Max series WINNING TIME: THE RISE OF THE LAKERS DYNASTY, the second season coming to HBO Canada and Crave. He stayed the weekend even to get the full Toronto experience, checking-out a Blue Jays game and Sotto Sotto we hear, before heading to Banff World Media Festival. Can’t wait for this new season!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

We are so sad to say goodbye NEVER HAVE I EVER after four very successful seasons. The brainchild of Mindy Kaling also blessed us with a huge rising star in Mississauga’s Maitreyi Ramakrishnan landing the lead role in the high school Sitcom.

Going out with a bang, a private viewing party for the first two episodes of the Series’ fourth season was held at Artscape Daniels Launchpad on Queens Quay, bringing our fans, friends and family to celebrate Ramakrishan’s phenomenal run as Devi Rishmakumar.

Moderated by Radheyan Simonpillai, guests not only witnessed a phenomenal dance troupe performance, they also had amazing photo ops in an amazing Sherman Oaks High School-replica activation by Coolab, plus treats by Tim Hortons, whom Ramakrishnan just signed a deal with to promote their upcoming limited edition Dream Cookies. Best of all, guests got to hang with Ramakrishnan and she even took audience questions during a Q&A.

What a night!!

NEVER HAVE I EVER Season Four streams now only on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix/Mr. Will Wong)

This was actually a big deal for me! I love Nicky Youre. Sticking to fun radio-friendly Pop, there is something comforting about his sound, channeling his sunny California roots. He dominated airwaves with his 2022 smash hit “Sunroof” which defined my Summer 2022. Will never forget driving to upstate New York with beanie and the song blasting on-repeat. It hasn’t stopped there for, “Eyes on You” is a cut from the same cloth and also a bop!

He is touring with Benson Boone currently and made a stop at Toronto’s Opera House. I am so delighted to have met him. Just a nice, normal dude who makes great Music.

His EP “Good Times Go“, is now out as his the single of the same name!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Thirty Knots)

It was originally to be a tight finish at the Box Office this weekend but it was TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS that would prevail over SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE. TRANSFORMERS debuts in 3,678 theatres, with 53% on the Tomatometer for Paramount Pictures. Franchise best opening still goes to 2009’s TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN with debuted with $108 million.

SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE takes $55.2 million from 4,332 theatres, wrapping-up its second week with $190.2 million domestically for Sony Pictures.

Third goes to Disney‘s THE LITTLE MERMAID with $24 million in its third weekend, taking it to $230 million in North America.

In fourth we have GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 with $6 million, taking its total to $335 million.

Rounding this Top Five out is THE BOOGEYMAN with $5 million, a two week tally of $18 million for 20th Century Studios.

Beloved series THE WITCHER is back for a third season and here’s a new look at it!

Synopsis:

Destiny brought them together. Dangerous forces are trying to tear them apart. Geralt and Yennefer fight to keep Ciri safe as war brews on the Continent. Chaos is coming. The Witcher Season 3 begins on June 29, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Filmed right here in Toronto, we finally get a glimpse of the Trailer for GLAMOROUS! This stars Miss Benny and Kim Cattrall!

Synopsis:

GLAMOROUS tells the story of MARCO MEJIA, a young gender non-conforming queer man whose life seems to be stuck in place until he lands a job working for legendary makeup mogul MADOLYN ADDISON. It’s Marco’s first chance to figure out what he wants out of life, who he actually is, and what it really means for him to be queer.

GLAMOROUS debuts June 22, 2023 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Paramount+ today debuted the teaser trailer and key art for the highly anticipated original series SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS, which will premiere on Sunday, July 23 in the U.S. and all Paramount+ international markets exclusively on the service. From Academy Award nominee Taylor Sheridan, the espionage thriller features a star-studded cast, including series lead and executive producer Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira, Emmy Award nominee Michael Kelly, with Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman, and Academy Award winner and executive producer Nicole Kidman. SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios for Paramount+.

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS, inspired by an actual US Military program, follows the life of Joe (Saldaña) while she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA’s spear in the war on terror. The Lioness Program, overseen by Kaitlyn Meade (Kidman) and Donald Westfield (Kelly), enlists an aggressive Marine Raider named Cruz (De Oliveira) to operate undercover alongside Joe among the power brokers of State terrorism in the CIA’s efforts to thwart the next 9/11.

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS will also star series regulars Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Stephanie Nur and Hannah Love Lanier. The series is executive produced by Taylor Sheridan, David C. Glasser, Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Jill Wagner, Geyer Kosinski, Michael Malone and John Hillcoat.

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS is the latest addition to Sheridan’s growing slate on Paramount+, which includes 1923, 1883, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, and TULSA KING as well as the upcoming series LAWMEN: BASS REEVES and LAND MAN.

For more information about Paramount+ and SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS, please visit www.paramountplus.com and follow @ParamountPlusCA and @SpecialOpsLioness on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok and @SpecOpsLioness on Twitter.