Telefilm Canada is announcing an investment of $6.15 million in four English-language feature films, including one project at the post-production stage, as part of the second intake of its Production Program for projects with budgets over $3.5M in the English market. A first round of selected projects was announced in April 2026.

Funded projects
Cherry Blossoms

Director and screenwriter: Ariane Louis-Seize
Production: Colonelle Films Inc., Scythia Films Inc.
Distribution: Elevation Pictures, Entract Films
Province: Quebec
Language: English
Canada–United Kingdom coproduction

Don’t Forget Us

Director and screenwriter: Jovanka Vuckovic
Production: WANGO Films Inc.
Distribution: Mongrel Media
Province: Ontario
Language: English

The Orange Grove

Director: Murad Abu Eisheh
Screenwriters: Murad Abu Eisheh, Will Niava
Production: Max Films Inc.
Distribution: Immina Films
Province: Quebec
Languages: English, Arabic
Canada–Jordan–Germany coproduction

Post-production
Coppermine

Director: Jeremy Torrie
Screenwriters: Jeremy Torrie, Keith Ross Leckie
Production: 10202470 Manitoba LTD., WHITE BEAR FILMS INC.
Distribution: Elevation Pictures
Province: Manitoba
Languages: English, Inuinnaqtun, French

A total of 27 applications were assessed as part of this funding round, representing $54,978,432 in requested funding. An advisory committee evaluated the projects and made recommendations to Telefilm. The decision-making process takes into account Telefilm’s objective of fostering a diversity of voices in the industry, ensuring that it funds a balanced portfolio of productions reflecting a variety of genres, budgets and company sizes, regions of the country, and points of view. The names of the selection committee members will be published on the Advisory committees for project funding applications page once all funding decisions for this fiscal year have been made.

 
About Telefilm Canada
Founded in 1967, Telefilm is a Crown corporation dedicated to investing in the development, production, promotion, and distribution of Canadian and Indigenous audiovisual content. As the largest investor in Canadian cinema, Telefilm contributes to the economic strength and cultural impact of the audiovisual sector in collaboration with industry members. Telefilm also makes recommendations to the Department of Canadian Heritage regarding the certification of audiovisual treaty coproductions and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on LinkedIn, Letterboxd, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Canada welcomes the world to a milestone edition of TIFF.

And an exclusive look at the Canada Pavilion in TIFF: The Market

This year marks a milestone for the Canadian and Indigenous audiovisual industry. With the launch of the inaugural TIFF: The Market, funded by the Government of Canada with a $23M investment and supported by Telefilm Canada, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) becomes one of the world’s leading hubs for the screen sector, bringing together filmmakers, producers, distributors, buyers and industry leaders from around the world.

To mark this milestone, Telefilm Canada will showcase Canadian talent, companies and stories through a wide-ranging program of industry and public-facing activities at TIFF. Throughout the Festival, Canada will be at the heart of the creative and business exchanges shaping the stories of tomorrow.

 
Canada Pavilion: A Showcase for Canadian Talent
 
At the heart of TIFF: The Market, the Canada Pavilion will serve as the gathering place for the Canadian delegation and a business hub for the industry. Designed to be sustainable, accessible and bilingual, the pavilion will offer exclusive programming and dedicated meeting spaces that foster connections among Canadian talent, companies and national and international partners.

For the first time, the pavilion will feature Indigenous cultural representation, reflecting the diversity of Canadian cultures and storytelling traditions. The pavilion’s design incorporates Indigenous visual elements and includes dedicated programming, panels and industry initiatives highlighting Indigenous voices, creators and stories.

The pavilion will also provide a platform to showcase Canadian creative excellence and strengthen opportunities for collaboration, while supporting Government of Canada priorities around international partnerships, innovation and the global reach of Canada’s audiovisual sector. Featured Canadian-led panels include topics on AI, Canadian funding institutions and their programs, marketing and audience engagement, partnered countries with coproduction agreements and much more.

In addition, Telefilm is a Major Supporter of the Summit and the presenting partner of the TIFF Creator Labs including Directors’ Lab, Writers’ Lab and Series Creators’ Lab.

 
Canadian industry and talent take centre stage
 
This year, 81 Canadian projects and participants will be included in Market programs. TIFF is on track to achieve their goal of 6000 attendees for the Market, with Canadian industry professionals currently comprising 36 per cent and counting. Two-hundred-and-twenty-five global exhibitors, inclusive of umbrella companies, will also take part in the inaugural event. Representing every region of the country, they will have unique opportunities to present their projects, forge new partnerships and build international collaborations.

 
“TIFF has long been a champion of Canadian creativity, talent and stories, bringing them to audiences at home and around the world. With the support of Telefilm Canada, TIFF: The Market will give Canadian creators, producers and companies a new platform to connect, build international partnerships and bring more of our stories into the global spotlight. We are proud to support a strong audiovisual sector that brings people together, reflects who we are and helps grow Canada’s creative economy.”

— The Honourable. Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages

“While films find their audiences at the Festival, the industry finds its next opportunities at the Market,” said Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO of Telefilm Canada. “TIFF provides a powerful platform for Canadian talent and companies to connect with international partners, investors, distributors and coproduction collaborators. Through initiatives like the Canada Pavilion, we help Canadian audiovisual businesses build the relationships and opportunities that enable Canadian stories to reach audiences around the world.”

“TIFF launched our Market to bring the world’s screen industries to Canada’s doorstep every year,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. “We’re grateful to the Government of Canada for its investment, we’re glad to have grown our partnership with Telefilm Canada, and we can’t wait to welcome thousands more storytellers and dealmakers to Toronto.”

 
Activities for the Industry… and Film Lovers
 
In addition to its industry programming, Telefilm Canada will present public-facing initiatives celebrating Canadian cinema throughout the Festival.

Through its content studio, Telefilm Canada will give film lovers exclusive access to behind-the-scenes Festival content across its digital platforms. Exclusive interviews with Canadian talent, original content, and insider access to the red carpets will offer audiences a closer look at the creators helping Canadian cinema shine at TIFF.

To stay up to date on Canadian films and talent at TIFF, follow Telefilm Canada on social media for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the Festival.

Programming partners for the Canada Pavilion include the Government of Canada, Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, Indigenous Screen Office, National Film Board, Creative BC, Ontario Creates, SODEC, Government of New Brunswick, Picture NL, Screen Nova Scotia, Innovation PEI, Nunavut Film Development Corporation, Northwest Territories Film Commission, Yukon Media Development, Manitoba Film & Music, APFC, CMPA, DSO, BSO and DGC National.

The full Canada Pavilion programming is available on rdvcanada.ca.

TIFF returns with its 51st edition from September 10 – 20, 2026, and TIFF: The Market runs from September 10 – 16, 2026.

About Telefilm Canada
Founded in 1967, Telefilm Canada is a Crown corporation that invests in the development, production, promotion and distribution of the Canadian and Indigenous audiovisual industry. As the largest investor in Canadian cinema, Telefilm supports the economic power and cultural impact of the audiovisual sector in collaboration with industry players. Additionally, Telefilm provides recommendations to the Department of Canadian Heritage regarding the certification of treaty-based audiovisual co-productions, and administers programs of the Canada Media Fund.

Visit tiff.net and follow us on LinkedIn, Letterboxd, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

About TIFF
TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization with a mission to transform the way people see the world through film. A global leader in film and entertainment, TIFF initiatives include the annual Toronto International Film Festival® in September; TIFF Lightbox, which features five cinemas, plus learning and entertainment facilities; the Donald Shebib TIFF Film Circuit, an innovative national distribution programme; and TIFF: The Market launching in 2026. The organization generates an estimated annual economic impact of $240 million CAD. TIFF Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel, and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation, and RBC.

For more information, visit tiff.net.

About TIFF: The Market
TIFF: The Market is funded by the Government of Canada and generously supported by Major Supporter Telefilm Canada. It will expand TIFF’s scope of offerings and reinforce its role as a global entertainment industry leader in screen-based storytelling while fostering sustainable growth for the industry worldwide. Aligned with the Festival, TIFF: The Market will foster the buying and selling of screen-based projects, intellectual property, plus immersive and innovative content across all platforms, elevating Canadian and international talent while driving global distribution and sales.

Telefilm Canada today announced the publication of its Strategic Orientation Framework, which will serve as a roadmap for the review of all its funding programs, to be carried out through to 2028.

Informed by Telefilm’s key commitments and by consultations with the Canadian and international audiovisual industry, this framework aims to foster greater cohesion across programs and a more audience-centred approach. It puts forward a structured model supported by precise, targeted outcomes, in order to maximize the impact of Telefilm’s investments for the benefit of Canadian creators and companies.

The primary innovation of this review is the introduction of clear, measurable performance indicators, the results of which will be made public on a periodic basis. This approach is intended to strengthen transparency and support data-based decision-making.

“This framework is the result of more than a year of close collaboration with the industry, supported by our action plans and concrete data on the performance of our programs,” said Francesca Accinelli, Chief Program Officer, Telefilm Canada. “It gives us the foundation to invest more strategically, by supporting projects at every stage and focusing on the success of creators and Canadian companies, regardless of their ambitions. This strategic framework offers a clear direction for supporting a strong Canadian and Indigenous cinema: a cinema capable of reaching, engaging, and building lasting connections with audiences here at home and around the world.”

This framework is part of Telefilm’s 2024–2027 triennial strategic plan and represents a key milestone in ensuring that programs remain relevant, flexible, and aligned with the ambitions of the Canadian audiovisual industry and with the evolving expectations of audiences.

All information related to the Strategic Orientation Framework — including key objectives, targeted outcomes and measurable indicators — is available HERE.

About Telefilm Canada

Founded in 1967, Telefilm Canada is a Crown corporation that invests in the development, production, promotion and distribution of the Canadian and Indigenous audiovisual industry. As the largest investor in Canadian cinema, Telefilm supports the economic power and cultural impact of the audiovisual sector in collaboration with industry players. Additionally, Telefilm provides recommendations to the Department of Canadian Heritage regarding the certification of treaty-based audiovisual co-productions, and administers programs of the Canada Media Fund.

Telefilm Canada invests $24M+ in 11 big-budget features in the English market

Telefilm Canada invests over $24 million to fund 11 feature-length films in the English market as part of the first round of decisions under the Production Program’s big budget stream, seven of which are majority coproductions and several book-to-screen adaptations. This investment accounts for 69 per cent of Telefilm’s annual budget for funding English market feature films under the Production Program’s big budget stream.

The selected projects represent impactful stories, told from distinctly Canadian perspectives, that will resonate widely and satisfy commercial and arthouse audiences.

In addition, four projects are receiving greenlight funding for additional pre-production support, including projects from Newfoundland, Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec; and three of which are majority coproductions.

The evaluated projects featured filmmakers with experience levels ranging from award-winning veterans to mid- and early-career creatives and those selected for funding echo that exciting mix.

A Thread of Violence (mystery/crime)
Director: Robert Budreau
Screenwriters: Robert Budreau and Grayson Moore
Production: January Media and Lumanity Productions
Co-Production: Sleeper Films
Distributor: Mongrel Media
Province: Ontario
Language: English
*Majority coproduction with Ireland

Eggplant (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Yung Chang
Production: Medium Density Fibreboard Films Inc.
Distributor: Game Theory Films
Province: Ontario
Language: Mandarin
*Majority coproduction with Ireland

Forgiveness (historical drama)
Director: Deepa Mehta
Screenwriter: Mark Sakamoto
Production: Hamilton-Mehta Productions Inc.
Distributor: Mongrel Media
Province: Ontario
Language: English and Japanese

Half-Blood Blues (historical drama)
Director: Clement Virgo
Screenwriters: Patrick Whistler and Clement Virgo
Production: Conquering Lion Pictures Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures
Province: Ontario
Language: English, French and German
*Majority coproduction with Germany

Lullabies For Little Criminals (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Sarah Gadon
Production: Brightlight Pictures Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures
Province: British Columbia
Language: English and French

Mary, Mary (drama)
Director: Bruce LaBruce
Screenwriters: Bruce LaBruce and Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay
Production: Compass Productions Inc.
Distributor: A-Z Films Inc. (with Raven Banner)
Province: Quebec
Language: English
*Majority coproduction with Belgium

Nightingale (historical drama)
Directors and screenwriters: Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson
Production: Thin Stuff Productions Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures
Province: Manitoba
Language: English
*Majority coproduction with United Kingdom

Rapture (horror)
Director and screenwriter: Jordan Tannahill
Production: Elevation Pictures
Distributor: Elevation Pictures
Province: Ontario
Language: English
*Majority coproduction with United Kingdom

Suffering Is Optional (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Zarrar Kahn
Production: CityLights Media Inc., LBG Films Inc., Other Memory Media, and Couronne
Nord Inc.
Distributor: Game Theory Films, with h264 (Quebec)
Province: Ontario, Quebec
Language: English, French and Urdu

Untitled Matt Johnson Film (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Matt Johnson
Production: Zapruder Films Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures
Province: Ontario
Language: English

Worse Together (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Luis De Filippis
Production: JA Productions Inc. and Fra Diavolo Films Inc.
Distributor: Maison 4:3, with MDFF
Province: Ontario
Language: English
*Majority coproduction with Switzerland

In the first intake of the Production Program’s big budget stream, 55 projects – including 13 majority coproductions – were assessed, representing $126 million in funding requests. Telefilm met with the teams behind each project submission.

An advisory committee composed of external and internal representatives has evaluated the projects and made its recommendations. The decision-making process, across multiple rounds of decisions over the coming months, is designed to ensure that Telefilm funds a balanced production portfolio reflecting a variety of genres, budgets, company sizes, regions of the country, and perspectives. A list of the selection committee members will be posted on Telefilm’s Project Financing Advisory Committees page at the end of each fiscal year.

It should also be noted that the project teams selected under the Springboard Initiative will be contacted shortly. Under this initiative, projects that were not selected for production funding but ranked highly during the evaluation process may be invited to apply for development funding to strengthen their project for a future production application.

More funding decisions will be announced through April to September of this year. Statistics on all films funded in the year will be published in the 2026—

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.

Telefilm Canada, alongside the Canada Media Fund (CMF), the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), are announcing a strategic partnership to strengthen the audiovisual sector’s understanding and reach of audiences by prioritizing and harmonizing the measurement and collection of audience data.

This new audience data initiative is one of the various projects brought forth by the table of leaders at federal organizations of the audiovisual sector (Telefilm, CMF, ISO and NFB). For more than a year, the federal audiovisual table has been working with the department of Canadian Heritage to modernize the Canadian audiovisual ecosystem marked by intense competition and questions of cultural sovereignty. This concerted audience-centred approach will inform more effective strategies for reaching audiences, increasing the impact of the richness and diversity of Canadian and Indigenous stories —whether in feature films, television, documentaries, or animated films— and ensuring its discoverability across digital platforms and cinemas.

Building on the Telefilm-led pan-Canadian consultation, which engaged over 50 active companies and key partners in the audiovisual sector, and resulted in the Exploring the Futures of Distribution – Strategic Visions for the Canadian Audiovisual Industry report, greater collaboration is essential to create a cooperative ecosystemic approach centred around audience.

“This joint initiative is a foundational step towards centering audiences around everything that we do, combining our expertise and audience-data to bridge the gap between our ecosystem’s value chains and audiences,” said Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO of Telefilm Canada. “The continuity of our partnerships is paving the way for us to better support the cultural impact of Canadian and Indigenous cinema and position our stories where they belong – at the forefront of screens at home and abroad.”

“This is just the beginning of a major undertaking that will lead to a more concerted action with not only the funding agencies, but will also involve the audiovisual sector at large,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO of the Canada Media Fund. “By modernizing how we gather and share audience insights, we will ensure the viability of Canadian content in an era of rapid broadcast and digital change.”

“By strengthening our data collection and audience insights, we can better understand how Indigenous stories are discovered, shared and watched,” said Kerry Swanson, CEO of the Indigenous Screen Office. “This will allow us to amplify Indigenous voices, ensure equitable visibility in the marketplace, and connect these vital narratives with audiences across the country and the world.”

“This collaboration marks a turning point for Canada’s film ecosystem,” said Suzanne Guèvremont, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the National Film Board of Canada. “By aligning our approaches, the production, promotion and distribution of Canadian films will be better positioned to reach Canadians and reflect the richness, diversity and creativity of our stories for years to come.”

Ongoing key partnerships among the agencies include:

Canada Media Fund and Telefilm Canada announce a three-year joint strategy to increase industry inclusivity
ISO to administer CMF’s $10m Indigenous Program in a new chapter for Indigenous screen content | Canada Media Fund
In a collaboration to equip Canadian producers with innovative technology and skills to drive viewership, Telefilm Canada, the Canada Media Fund, and the National Film Board of Canada are joining founding sponsors to expand Magnify Digital’s Audience Development Pilot.

The collaboration of the four organizations to work towards a structured modernization of the Canadian audiovisual distribution landscape will involve many players in the audiovisual sector. More to come in the months ahead.

Telefilm Canada is announcing its investment of $2.68 million in five Indigenous film projects through the Indigenous funding streams for the Theatrical Documentary Program and the Production Program in both the English and French markets.

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.

Ancestral Beasts (horror)

Director and Screenwriter: Tim Riedel

Production: 16198872 Canada Inc

Province: Ontario

Language: English

Instant Indian – The Hijacking of a Nation (documentary)

Director and screenwriter: Jules Koostachin

Production: Xa7tus Productions Inc.

Distribution: IndieCan Entertainment

Province: British Columbia

Language: English

Little People (drama)

Directors: Sarah Houle and Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi

Screenwriters: Shane Ghostkeeper and Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi

Production: Muskego Inc.

Province: Alberta

Language: English and Cree – nehiyawak

The Skins Game (drama)

Director: Jon Elliott

Screenwriter: Justin Neal

Production: Holy Crow Productions

Province: British Columbia

Language: English

Une tragédie inuite: La police au Nunavik (documentary)

Directors: Kim O’Bomsawin and Olivia Ikey

Screenwriters: Kim O’Bomsawin and Chaz Beaudette

Production: Nikan Productions (VI) Inc.

Province: Quebec

Language: French

Telefilm received and assessed 22 projects representing more than $16 million in funding requests. Project submissions were considered by an Advisory Committee, and Telefilm met with all shortlisted teams.

More funding decisions, including projects from the Indigenous stream and the Theatrical Documentary Program will be announced in the coming weeks. Statistics on all films funded in the year will be published in the 2025–26 Annual Report.

An advisory committee composed of external and internal representatives has evaluated the projects and made its recommendations. The decision-making process is designed to ensure that Telefilm funds a balanced production portfolio reflecting a variety of genres, budgets, company sizes, regions of the country, and perspectives. A list of the selection committee members will be posted on Telefilm’s Project Financing Advisory Committees page once all funding decisions have been made.

About Telefilm Canada  

As a Partner of Choice, Telefilm Canada is a Crown corporation dedicated to the success of Canada’s audiovisual industry, fostering access and excellence by delivering programs that support cultural resonance and audience engagement. With a lens of equity, inclusivity and sustainability, Telefilm bolsters dynamic companies and a range of creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual coproduction treaties to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2012, the Talent Fund raises private donations which principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on LinkedIn,  X, Facebook,  Instagram and Letterboxd.    

Canadian cinema will be in the spotlight at the 78th Locarno Film Festival with four feature-length films and three short films all world premiering at the festival. In addition, Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige’s Memory Box (France/Lebanon/Canada/Qatar coproduction) is featured in Histoire(s) du Cinéma and will receive the prestigious Raimondo Rezzonico Award. Alongside the films in selection, Canada is the focus country at the 14th edition of First Look, an industry initiative that serves as a key post-production platform for international arthouse projects.

In the Filmmakers of the Present competition, two narrative Canadian features were selected, first-time feature film director Sophy Romvari’s Blue Heron (Canada/Hungary coproduction which received funding in Telefilm’s Talent to Watch Program) and directorial debut of Éric K. Boulianne’s Folichonneries (his short Faire un enfant won the Best Director award at the 76th Locarno Film Festival in 2023). In the international competition is Ben River’s Mare’s Nest (UK/France/Canada coproduction), and in the non-competitive section is Steven Kostanski’s Deathstalker, a genre film with executive producer Slash from Guns N’ Roses.

In the shorts competition, Ryan McKenna’s Solitudes (his second short selected at Locarno), Alexandre Dostie’s BOA (Canada/France coproduction), and Jean-Sébastien Hamel and Alexandra Myotte’s animated short Ce qu’on laisse derrière (What We Leave Behind) (their previous short film was shortlisted at the 2025 Oscars®) – were all produced in Quebec.

“Canada makes a powerful mark at Locarno with eight films in selection, one prestigious award and six promising teams in First Look — a record-breaking celebration of Canadian talent!” said Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO of Telefilm Canada. “Locarno has long championed Canadian voices like Denis Côté, Trevor Anderson and Matthew Rankin, and this year reaffirms Canada’s growing impact on global cinema. Our expanding international collaborations and audience markets not only reflect the strength of our storytelling today but also lay a strong foundation for the next generation of storytellers to thrive on the world stage.”

Locarno’s First Look, in partnership with Telefilm Canada, is set to showcase six Canadian feature-length films that are currently in post-production with a goal to enhance their sales prospects and international festival runs. This industry-oriented initiative offers an international platform for Canadian producers to introduce their selected projects, followed by screenings with an audience of sales agents, buyers, festival programmers.

With over 30 submissions, the following feature-length films are selected at Locarno’s First Look:

-Geneviève Dulude-De Celles’s Nina Roza (Quebec)
-Sophie Leblond’s Lhasa (Quebec)
-Nick Butler’s Lunar Sway (British Columbia)
-Raymond St-Jean’s Veins (Quebec)
-Catherine Hébert and Elric Robichon’s We Will Not Be Silenced (Quebec)
-Bryce Hodgson’s Thanks to the Hard Work of the Elephants (British Columbia/Ontario/Quebec)

Telefilm Canada announces its investment in 27 feature-length films in the English market with a commitment of over $14.4 million, under the Production Program’s low budget stream, including international coproductions.

This year’s selection demonstrates strong provincial representation and appeals to a wide range of audiences, from science fiction and horror to comedies and dramas. 

Last month, 12 big-budget feature films in the English market were announced here.

Atlantic

Back For The Holidays (horror/thriller)
Director and screenwriter: Michael Gabriele
Production: Dark Venetian Red Pictures Inc.
Province: Prince Edward Island
Language: English

Clara and Vanessa (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Thom Fitzgerald
Production: Emotion Pictures Incorporated
Province: Nova Scotia
Language: English

Feed (horror)
Director: Nancy Urich
Screenwriters: Nancy Urich and Stephanie Johns
Production: CUT/OFF/TAIL Pictures Inc.
Province: Nova Scotia
Language: English

The Executor (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Joe Cobden
Production: Holdfast Pictures Inc.
Province: Nova Scotia
Language: English

Quebec

Good in the Room (crime-thriller)
Director: Pat Kiely
Screenwriters: Pat Kiely and Mark O’Brien
Production: Banner House Productions Inc. and Grand Touring Production Inc.
Province: Quebec and Ontario
Language: English

Worm (horror)
Director: James Watts
Screenwriters: Kelly Hurcomb and James Watts
Production: Good House Digital Inc.
Distribution: Vortex Media
Province: Quebec
Language: English

Ontario and Nunavut

Below Morning (science fiction/fantasy/tale)
Director and screenwriter: Randall Okita
Production: Lockpicker Productions Inc.
Distribution: Game Theory Films
Province: Ontario
Language: English

Devour (horror)
Director: Erica Orofino
Screenwriters: Erica Orofino and Olivia Loccisano
Production: Wildling Pictures Inc.
Province: Ontario
Language: English

Dinner with Friends (drama)
Director: Sasha Lee Henry
Screenwriters: Sasha Leigh Henry and Tania Thompson
Production: Admiral Productions Inc.
Province: Ontario
Language: English

Dirty (horror)
Director and screenwriter: Devon Graye
Production: Let’s Get Dirty LTD.
Province: Ontario
Language: English

IMPORT (thriller)
Director: Paul Shkordoff
Screenwriters: Frank Graziano and Paul Shkordoff
Production: OPC. TV INC, Sweet George Films and Metafilms
Province: Ontario and Quebec
Language: English
*France/Serbia/Canada coproduction

Intro to Swimming (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Aram Collier
Production: LaRue Productions Inc.
Distribution: Filmoption International Inc.
Province: Ontario
Language: English and Chinese (Cantonese)

Labranza (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Andrea Martinez Crowther
Production: Lulo Films Inc.
Province: Ontario
Language: English, Spanish
*Canada/Mexico coproduction

Los Turistas (The Tourists) (drama)
Directors and screenwriters: Brad Deane and Lina Rodriguez
Production: Rayon Verde Inc.
Province: Ontario
Language: English, Spanish
*Canada/Colombia coproduction

Phreaker (thriller)
Director and screenwriter: Adam Yorke
Production: Phreaker Motion Picture Corporation
Distribution: Mongrel Media
Province: Ontario
Language: English

Rocket Fuel (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Jessie Posthumus
Production: Edge Entertainment Inc.
Province: Ontario
Language: English

The Embers and the Stars (science fiction/fantasy/tale)
Director and screenwriter: William Woods
Production: Obvious Allegory Inc.
Distribution: VVS Films
Province: Ontario Language: English

Tides (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Jessica Huras
Production: Nice Picture Inc. and Shut Up & Colour Pictures Inc.
Province: Ontario and Nova Scotia
Language: English

Western

A Hero of Our Time (Man Vs Truck) (comedy)
Director and screenwriter: Ted Stenson
Production: Kino Sum Productions Inc.
Province: Alberta
Language: English

Alien Boy (science fiction/fantasy/tale)
Director and screenwriter: Fawaz Al-Matrouk
Production: Karma Films Inc.
Province: Saskatchewan
Language: English, Arabic

Any Other World (science fiction/fantasy/tale)
Director and screenwriter: Ben Pickles
Production: Any Other World Productions Inc.
Distribution: Photon Films
Province: British Columbia
Language: English

Baby Tooth (mystery/crime/police)
Director and screenwriter: Connor Gaston
Production: Garden Film Studio Ltd. and Studio 104 Entertainment Inc.
Province: British Columbia
Language: English

CAMP (horror)
Director and screenwriter: Avalon Fast
Production: TNodrick Productions Ltd and 16053106 CANADA INC.
Distribution: Filmoption International
Province: Alberta and Quebec
Language: English

Judas Tree (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Susan Bayani
Production: Understory Films Inc.
Province: British Columbia
Language: English, Farsi (Persian)

New Diamond Restaurant (horror)
Director and screenwriter: Milton Ng
Production: Dear Hero Productions Inc.
Province: British Columbia
Language: English, Chinese (Cantonese)

Northern Lights (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Mackenzie Leigh
Production: Heart Shaped Movies Inc.
Province: Manitoba
Language: English

Switchback (thriller)
Director and screenwriter: Melanie Jones
Production: Instilling Entertainment Inc.
Province: British Columbia
Language: English

Telefilm continues to receive a high volume of applications, particularly in Ontario and the Western region, under the Production Program. In the English market, 216 projects were assessed in the low budget stream including international coproductions, representing over $135 million in funding requests. Project submissions were considered by an Advisory Committee, and Telefilm met with all shortlisted teams.

More funding decisions, including projects from the Indigenous stream and the Theatrical Documentary Program will be announced in the coming weeks. Statistics on all films funded in the year will be published in the 2025-2026 Annual Report.

An advisory committee composed of external and internal representatives has evaluated the projects and made its recommendations. The decision-making process is designed to ensure that Telefilm funds a balanced production portfolio reflecting a variety of genres, budgets, company sizes, regions of the country, and perspectives. A list of the selection committee members will be posted on Telefilm’s Project Financing Advisory Committees page once all funding decisions have been made.

Telefilm Canada, at the Annecy International Animation Film Market (MIFA), proudly announces the launch of a new initiative for the development and export of animated feature films.

Telefilm Canada will establish a special envelope of $420,000 for animated features that will be integrated into the Development Program. This initiative aims to recognize the distinctive nature of animated films and to support their early creative stages, particularly storyboard development. It is part of a broader effort to prioritize animation across Telefilm’s entire continuum – from development to marketing – and to reflect the sustained growth of this sector within the audiovisual industry, both in Canada and abroad.

In collaboration with national and international partners, the initiative will highlight the excellence and creativity of Canadian animation while strengthening its export positioning. Backed by Telefilm’s funding programs, this new approach is designed to encourage business development in the field of animation.

A distinctive process

Creating an animated film is a distinctive process that mobilizes a wealth of resources and expertise from the project’s outset. Consequently, Telefilm will support Canadian producers and creators at a key moment, when the imagination takes shape and the narrative and visual foundations of the film are laid. The aim is not only to nurture artistic vision but also to maximize commercial potential by helping projects attract partners and distributors, especially international players.

Animation: a booming sector

Since 2017, Telefilm invested $36.28M in animation projects. During that time, funding applications for animation have doubled, testifying to the sector’s growing interest and dynamism. In the past seven years, Canadian animated films have ranked ten times among the annual top 15 box-office earners.

Telefilm’s aim is to accelerate the development of high-potential projects, strengthen the competitiveness of Canadian animation, engage more audiences and expand animation’s reach at home and abroad.

“Animation embodies our creativity, our capacity to innovate and bring generations together around powerful stories”, said Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO of Telefilm Canada. “With this initiative, Telefilm is reaffirming its commitment to animation as a national jewel by supporting creators at the earliest stages of the process. It’s also a way of looking to the future, of continuing to seduce, captivate and reach audiences of all generations at home and abroad. And lastly, it’s a strategic investment in a fast-growing sector that generates economic value while showcasing Canadian talent on the world stage.”