#FIRSTLOOK: TELEFILM CANADA ANNOUNCE INVESTMENT IN 26 ENGLISH MARKET PRODUCTIONS – JUNE 2024

Telefilm Canada is announcing its investment of $14.1 million in 26 feature film projects in the English market under the Production Program in the low budget stream (including international coproductions).

Atlantic

Baby 
Director and screenwriter: Jackie Torrens
Production: Peep Media Inc.
Province: Nova Scotia
Language: English

Blueberry Picking
Director and screenwriter: Sherry White
Production: Oversherry Productions Ltd.
Province: Newfoundland and Labrador
Language: English

The Shuttle
Director and screenwriter: Winston DeGiobbi
Production: Brass Door Productions Inc.
Province: Nova Scotia
Language: English

Quebec

Donde Comienza el Río (Where the River Begins)
Director and screenwriter: Juan Andrés Arango
Production: Midi La Nuit Inc. and Inercia Películas
Languages: Spanish (Colombian) and Emberá, Indigenous dialect
*Majority Coproduction Canada/Colombia

Moving Day
Directors: Caitlyn Sponheimer, Tamara Scherbak, Carol Nguyen, Kaye Adelaide, Jill Carter and Kim Barr
Screenwriters: Diane Janna, Tamara Scherbak, M.J. Kang, Kathy-Ann Thomas, Deydra Baptiste, Katrina Bertrand and Alex Feldman  
Production: Cotton Bush Productions Inc.
Languages:  English and French

Red Acres
Directors and screenwriters: Chris Bavota and Lee Paula Springer
Production: Slykid Inc.
Language: English

Ontario

Deathstalker
Director and screenwriter: Steven Kostanski
Production: Hangar 18 Media Inc.
Language: English

Homebodies
Director: Casey Walker
Screenwriters: Adrian Murray and Marcus Sullivan
Production: Cave Painting Pictures Inc.
Language: English

I Come Home
Director: Glen Wood
Screenwriter: Andreas Vatiliotou
Production: Viddywell Films Inc.
Language: English

Lunar Sway
Director and screenwriter: Nicholas Butler
Production: Cloudy Falls Pictures Inc.
Language: English

Morningside
Director: Ron Dias
Screenwriters: Joanne Jansen and Ron Dias
Production: Augusta Avenue Productions Inc.
Language: English

Nuur

Director: Lula Ali Ismail
Screenwriter: Hassan Ghedi Santur
Production: Good Question Media Inc.
Languages: English and Somali

Pocket Mirror
Director and screenwriter: Adrian Murray
Production: Ravenea Pictures Inc. and Silent Tower Inc.
Language: English

The Temple
Directors and screenwriters: Calvin Thomas and Yonah Lewis
Production: Babe Nation Creations Inc. and Lisa Pictures Ltd.
Language: English

They Echo
Director and screenwriter: Lu Asfaha
Production: Snail Mail Media Inc. and Defar Media Inc.
Languages: English and Swahili

UGLY
Director and screenwriter: Ed Gass-Donnelly
Production: 3 Legged Dog Films Ltd.
Language: English

Western Region

Grand Prairie
Director: Evan Prosofsky
Screenwriters: Evan Prosofsky and Chandra Melting Tallow
Production: Grand Prairie Film Inc.
Province: Alberta
Languages: English, Blackfoot (Siksika First Nation) and Carinthian German (Hutterite Colony)

Hair of the Bear
Directors and screenwriters: Alexandre Trudeau and James McLellan
Production: Hair of The Bear Films Inc. and HOTB Quebec Productions Inc. 
Provinces: Manitoba and Quebec
Languages: English and French

One Perfect Date
Director and screenwriter: Lucas Frison
Production: Prairie Cat Productions Inc. and Megafun Productions Inc.
Provinces: Saskatchewan and Quebec
Language: English

Split Rock
Director and screenwriter: Ryan Glover
Production: Prowler Pictures Inc., Low End Inc. and Observer Effect Productions Inc.
Provinces: Saskatchewan and Ontario
Language: English

Stranger in Town
Director: Melanie Oates
Screenwriter: Patrick Whistler
Production: Goodbye Productions Inc.
Province: British Columbia
Language: English

The Bryce Lee Story
Director: Arnold Lim
Screenwriters: Connor Gaston, Arnold Lim and Kyle D’Odorico 
Production: Blue Lake Films Ltd.
Province: British Columbia
Languages: English and Chinese – Cantonese

Minority Coproductions

Birthday
Director and screenwriter: Lara Zeidan
Production: Couronne Nord Inc. and Sevana Films
Province: Quebec
Languages: Arabic, English and French
*Minority Coproduction Canada/France

Idling
Director: Theodore Ushev
Screenwriter: Chris Robinson
Production: 9468-2713 Québec Inc. and PREMIER STUDIO
Province: Quebec
Language: English
*Minority Coproduction Canada/Bulgaria

Tahmina
Director and screenwriter: Aboozar Amini
Production: Greenground Productions Inc. and Silkroad Film Salon
Province: Quebec
Language: Persian
*Minority Coproduction Canada/Netherlands

Terra (Khak)
Director: Raha Shirazi
Screenwriters: Giovanna Giuliani and Raha Shirazi
Production: Borrowed Light Films Inc., Aeternam Films and Doppio Nodo Double Bind
Province: Ontario
Language: English
*Minority Coproduction Canada/France/Italy

Telefilm received an increasingly high volume of applications under the Production Program this year. In this first intake, 187 projects were assessed in the low budget stream including international coproductions, representing over $106 million in funding requests.

More funding decisions, including projects from the low budget Indigenous Stream will be announced in the coming weeks. Statistics on all films funded in the year will be released once all funding decisions have been made.

An advisory committee of external and internal representatives assessed the projects and made recommendations to Telefilm. The decision-making process considered Telefilm’s goal of fostering a diversity of voices in the industry, ensuring that Telefilm funds a balanced portfolio of productions that reflect a variety of genres, budgets and company sizes, regions of the country and points of view. Names of selection committee members will be published on the Project Financing Advisory Committees webpage once all funding decisions have been made.

#FIRSTLOOK: TELEFILM CANADA ANNOUNCE SUPPORT OF MEDIUM-TO-LARGE SCALE FILM FESTIVALS – MAY 2024

Telefilm Canada is supporting 24 film festivals, under the Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program (first round of decisions), for a funding total of $1.3 million.

Telefilm’s 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.

As a partner of choice, 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
equity, diversity, and inclusion to foster and support an industry that is representative of all communities in Canada. Further funding decisions will be announced later this year.

List of all Medium to Large-Scale film festivals supported by Telefilm (starting between October 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025):

·2024 Devour! The Food Film Fest

·2024 Forest City Film Festival

·2024 IFFSA Toronto

·2024 image+nation. festival

·2024 Reelworld Film Festival

·2024 St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival

·2024 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival

·2024 Vancouver Asian Film Festival

·2024 Whistler Film Festival

·2024 Windsor International Film Festival

·2025 Available Light Film Festival

·2025 Halifax Black Film Festival

·2025 Kingston Canadian Film Festival

·2025 Toronto Black Film Festival

·2025 Victoria Film Festival

·Carrousel International du Film de Rimouski 2025

·Festival de films francophones CINEMANIA 2024

·Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue 2024

·Festival international du cinéma francophone en Acadie 2024

·Festival international du film pour enfants de Montréal 2025

·Festival International du Film sur l’Art 2025

·Festival REGARD 2025

·Les Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma 2025

·Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal 2024

These funding decisions were made as part of the promotion program modernization, which began in 2021 in collaboration with the industry, to allocate funding more efficiently and transparently. As
announced in September 2022, the promotion program has been segmented by the type of activity into different funding programs to better meet different needs and to meet clear criteria, and further refinements to the program have been done for this year’s program. For the Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program, internal representatives evaluated the applications with the input of external advisors to ensure fair and equitable evaluations.

#FIRSTLOOK: TELEFILM CANADA ANNOUNCE 22 PROJECTS IN FRENCH MARKET TO RECEIVE FINANCING in 2024

Telefilm Canada announces 22 projects in the French market receiving financing under the Production Program, representing a total financial commitment of $21.6 million.   

Petite Rose (drama)  

Screenwriter and director: Geneviève Dulude-DeCelles  

Production:​ Colonelle films inc. 

Distribution: Entract Films  

*Canada/Belgium/Bulgaria co-production  

Violences (drama)  

Screenwriter and director: Luc Picard  

Production:​ Christal Films Productions Inc. ​ 

Distribution: Les Films Opale  

Menteuse (comedy)  

Screenwriters: Éric K. Boulianne, Émile Gaudreault and Sébastien Savary  

Director: Émile Gaudreault  

Production:​ Amalga Créations Médias Inc. 

Distribution: Immina Films  

Fanny Cloutier (action/adventure)  

Screenwriter: Stéphanie Lapointe  

Director: Yan England  

Production:​ Téléfiction Productions Inc. 

Distribution: Téléfiction Distribution & Marketing  

Furies (comedy)  

Screenwriter: Gabrielle Côté  

Director: Mélanie Charbonneau  

Production:​ Echo Media Inc. 

Distribution: Immina Films  

L’habit du Héros (drama)  

Screenwriter: Michel Marc Bouchard  

Director: Léa Pool  

Production:​ Lyla Films Inc. 

Distribution: Les Films Opale  

*Canada/Luxembourg co-production  

Les Bottanïx (comedy)  

Screenwriters: Marie-France Landry and Anastasia Michailidis  

Director: Benoit Godbout  

Production:​ Productions Carpediem (CHAOS) Inc. 

Distribution: Maison 4:3  

*Coproduction Canada/Spain/Belgium  

Éléo et Nova (science fiction / fantasy / storytelling)  

Screenwriter and director: Jérémy Comte  

Production:​ Max Films Inc. 

Distribution: Les Films Opale  

Adam (comedy)  

Screenwriter and director: Anne Émond  

Production: Metafilms Inc. 

Distribution: Immina Films  

Où vont les âmes (drama)  

Screenwriter and director: Brigitte Poupart  

Production:​ Bravo Charlie Inc. 

Distribution: Axia Films  

Au revoir pluton (musical)  

Screenwriter and director: Sarianne Cormier  

Production:​ Voyelles Films Productions Inc. 

Distribution: Maison 4:3  

Paquet de trouble (drama)  

Screenwriter and director: Myriam Guimond  

Production:​ Pourquoi Production inc. 

Distribution: K Films Amérique  

Une splendeur de vivre (drama)  

Screenwriter and director: Marianne Métivier  

Production:​ Le Foyer Films Inc. ​ 

Distribution: Studios H264 inc.  

*Coproduction Canada/France/Philippines  

The Shiatsung Project (science fiction/fantasy/tale)  

Screenwriter: Brigitte Archambault  

Directors: Eva Cvijanovic and Brigitte Archambault  

Production: 9286-4883 Québec (F.A.S.  L’embuscade Films) 

Distribution: NFB  

Labrador or the Anatomy of Silence (drama)  

Screenwriter and director: Rodrigue Jean  

Production: Transmar Films Inc. 

Distribution: Studios H264 inc.  

Pétrole (drama)  

Screenwriters: Frédérick Pelletier and Simon Lavoie  

Director: Frédérick Pelletier  

Production: Corporation de développement et de production ACPAV Inc. 

Distribution: Maison 4:3  

La professeure (comedy)  

Screenwriters: Judith Brès and Eva Kabuya  

Director: Eva Kabuya  

Production: Metafilms Inc. 

Distribution: VVS  

Le trésor des héritiers (comedy)  

Screenwriter and director: Phil Comeau  

Production: 701275 NB Ltée 

Distribution: Maison 4:3  

Comme si de rien n’était (drama)  

Screenwriter and director: Samer Najari  

Production: Productions Karaman inc. 

Distribution: K-Films Amérique  

Denise sans Denis (comedy)  

Screenwriter: Paul Ruban  

Director: Guillaume Lambert  

Production: Wookey Films Inc. & Chasseurs Films Inc. 

Distribution: Entract Films   

Melvile (drama)  

Screenwriters: Olivier Tollet, Romain Renard and Anne-Laure Guégan  

Directors: Romain Renard and Fursy Teyssier  

Production: Productions l’unité centrale Inc 

Distribution: Maison 4:3  

*Belgium/France/Canada co-production  

Immortelles (drama) 

Screenwriters: Victoria Kaario and Caroline Deruas  

Director: Caroline Deruas  

Production: Possibles Média Inc. 

Distribution: K-FILMS AMÉRIQUE  

*France/Canada co-production  

Telefilm received an increasingly high volume of applications under the Production Program this year. A total of 89 applications were considered by the Advisory Committees representing approximately $129.5 million in funding requests. 

More funding decisions, including projects from the English market, will be announced in the coming weeks. Statistics on all films funded in the year will be released once all funding decisions have been made.    

An advisory committee of external and internal representatives assessed the projects and made recommendations to Telefilm. The decision-making process considered Telefilm’s goal of fostering a diversity of voices in the industry, ensuring that Telefilm funds a balanced portfolio of productions that reflect a variety of genres, budgets and company sizes, regions of the country and points of view. Names of selection committee members will be published on the Project Financing Advisory Committees webpage  once all funding decisions have been made.   

#FIRSTLOOK: TELEFILM CANADA ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR 25 MEDIUM to LARGE-SCALE FESTIVALS

Telefilm Canada is supporting 25 film festivals, under the new Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program (first round of decisions), for a funding total of $1.7 million.

These funding decisions were made as part of the promotion program modernization, which began in 2021 in collaboration with the industry, to allocate funding more efficiently and transparently. As announced in September, the promotion program has been segmented by the type of activity into different funding programs to better meet different needs and to meet clear criteria. For the Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program, internal representatives evaluated the applications with the input of external advisors to ensure fair and equitable evaluations. Further funding decisions will be announced later this year.

Telefilm’s 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. As a partner of choice, 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 equity, diversity, and inclusion 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 October 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024):

2024 Available Light Film Festival
Carrousel international du film de Rimouski 2024
2023 Devour! The Food Film Fest
Festival de films francophones CINEMANIA 2023
Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue 2023
Festival du film de l’Outaouais 2024
Festival du nouveau cinéma 2023
Festival international du cinéma francophone en Acadie 2023
Festival international du film pour enfants de Montréal 2024
Festival International du Film sur l’Art 2024
Festival REGARD 2024
2023 Forest City Film Festival
2024 Halifax Black Film Festival
2023 image+nation. festival film LGBT2SQ+ Montréal
2023 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
2024 Kingston Canadian Film Festival
Les Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma 2024
2023 Reelworld Film Festival
Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal 2023
2023 St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival
2024 Toronto Black Film Festival
2023 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
2023 Vancouver Asian Film Festival
2024 Victoria Film Festival
2023 Whistler Film Festival

#FIRSTLOOK: TELEFILM CANDA ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR 21 NEW FILMS

With a funding commitment of $12.8 million, Telefilm Canada today have announced the support of 21 upcoming English and other language films. After 300 applications were considered, these are the Films to be part of the commitment in their objective of a balanced portfolio, representing diverse voices.

Akashi (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Mayumi Yoshida

Production: Musubi Arts Inc. and Experimental Forest Films Inc.

Province: British Columbia

Languages: Japanese and English

Aversion (horror)

Director and screenwriter: Thom Fitzgerald

Production: Emotion Pictures Incorporated

Province: Nova Scotia

Language: English

Backspot (drama)

Director: D.W. Waterson

Screenwriter: Joanne Sarazen

Production: Plausible Communications Corporation

Province: Ontario

Language: English

The Bearded Girl (science fiction/fantasy/tale)

Director and screenwriter: Jody Wilson

Production: Goodbye Productions Inc.

Province: British Columbia

Languages: English

Best Boy (thriller)

Director and screenwriter: Jesse Noah Klein

Production:
9342-2947 QUÉBEC INC.

Province: Quebec

Language: English

Drive Back Home (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Michael Clowater

Production: Woods Entertainment Canada Inc. and Mason Films Inc.

Province: Ontario

Language: English

The Invisibles (drama)

Director: Andrew Currie

Screenwriters: Andrew Currie and Colin Aussant

Production: Quadrant Motion Pictures

Province: Ontario

Language: English

La Estrella al Lado de la Luna
(historical drama)

Director and screenwriter: Andrea Alvarez

Production: Studio 104 Entertainment Inc. (Canada) and Imaginer Films (Colombia)

Province: British Columbia

Languages: Spanish Castillian and English

Loya (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Sibel Guvenc

Co-production: Kybele Films Inc. and Cedar Island Films Inc. (Canada) and Tradewind Pictures (Germany)

Provinces: Ontario and British Columbia

Languages: English and Turkish

Monica’s News (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Pamela Gallant

Production: Picture Plant Limited

Province: Nova Scotia

Language: English

Motherhood (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Meryam Joobeur

Co-production: Leona Films Inc. (Canada) and Tanit Films (France)

Province: Quebec

Languages: Arabic

The Music Box (science fiction/fantasy/tale)

Director: Jay Dahl

Screenwriters: Jay Dahl, Kristin Langille

Production: Black Dog Films Inc. and Connections Productions Inc.

Province: Nova Scotia

Language: English

Paying For It (romantic comedy)

Director: Sook-Yin Lee

Screenwriters: Sook-Yin Lee and Joanne Sarazen

Production: Wildling Pictures Inc. and Hawkeye Pictures Inc.

Province: Ontario

Language: English

Replacer (horror)

Director: Randall Okita

Screenwriter: Zac Thompson

Production: Play Management Media Inc.

Province: Ontario

Language: English

Re: Uniting (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Laura Adkin

Production: Re Uniting Productions Inc.

Province: British Columbia

Language: English

Sacred Creatures (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Frieda Luk

Production: Frirange Films Inc. (Canada) and Doppio Nodo Double Bind (Italy)

Province: British Columbia

Languages: English and Italian

Shook (drama)

Director: Amar Wala

Screenwriters: Amar Wala and Adnan Khan

Production: Scarborough Pictures Inc. and Film Forge Productions Inc.

Province: Ontario

Languages: English and Hindi

Sweet Angel Baby (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Melanie Oates

Production: Relatable Films Inc.

Province: Newfoundland and Labrador

Language: English

There, There (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Heather Young

Production: Houseplant Films Inc. and Brass Door Productions Inc.

Province: Nova Scotia

Language: English

This Too Shall Pass
(drama)

Director and screenwriter: Rob Grant

Production: Peterson Polaris Corp.

Province: Alberta

Language: English

Une langue universelle (comedy)

Director and screenwriter: Matthew Rankin

Production: Metafilms Inc.

Province: Quebec

Language: Persian, French and English

#FIRSTLOOK: TELEFILM CANADA ANNOUNCES FUNDING OF SIX NEW INDIGENOUS PROJECTS

Telefilm Canada have just announced the green-lighting of six Indigenous films through their Indigenous Stream, under the Theatrical Documentary Program and the Production Program, for a total commitment of over $3 million.

Titles are as follows: 

Angela’s Shadow (drama) 
Director and screenwriter: Jules Koostachin 
Production company: AaSheNii Productions Inc. 
Province: British Columbia 

Anicinabe Park 1974 (documentary) 
Director: Shane Belcourt, Tanya Talaga

Screenwriter: Jordan Wheeler 
Production company: Makwa Creative Inc.  
Province: Ontario 

Nechako (documentary) 
Director and screenwriter: Lyana Patrick 
Production company: Nechako Films Inc.  
Province: British Columbia  

Pow Wow Summer (family drama/comedy) 
Director and screenwriter: Darrell Dennis

Production Company: Orca Cove Media Inc.

Province: British Columbia  

Seeds (drama/comedy) 
Director and screenwriter: Kaniehtiio Horn 
Production company:  Kaniehtiio Horn-Batt Entertainment Inc. & New Real Film Inc. 
Province: Ontario  

Stoney Nakoda Film Project (documentary) 
Director and screenwriter: Cody Lefthand  
Production company: Stoney Film Project Ltd.  
Province: Alberta 

More on Telefilm Canada‘s Indigenous initiatives here.

#FIRSTLOOK: TELEFILM CANADA ANNOUNCE NEW ENGLISH FILM PROJECTS

Twelve new English Features, balancing the diverse voices of our country and industry have been green-lit with funding from Telefilm Canada, totaling $16.47 million!

Upcoming titles to be produced in Canada include:

The Boy in the Woods (historical drama) 

Director and screenwriter: Rebecca Snow 

Production: Lumanity Productions Inc. and JoBro Productions Inc. 

Distributor: Photon Films 

Province: Ontario 

The Braid (drama) 

Director and screenwriter: Laetitia Colombani 

Production: Moana Films (France), Curiosa Films (France) and Forum Films Inc. (Canada) 

Distributor: MK2-Mile End 

Province: Quebec 

Die Alone (thriller) 

Director and screenwriter: Lowell Dean 

Production: Minds Eye Entertainment Ltd. 

Distributor: Filmoption International 

Province: Saskatchewan 

Ethel(drama) 

Director: Aisling Walsh 

Screenwriter: Celeste Parr 

Production: Go Films L.P.R.S. Inc. (Canada) and Port Pictures Ltd. (Ireland) 

Distributor: MK2-Mile End 

Province: Quebec 

The Last Whale Singer (action/adventure/animation) 

Directors: Reza Memari and Steven Majaury 

Screenwriter: Reza Memari 

Production: Telescope Animation (Germany) and La Boîte à Fanny Inc. (Canada) 

Distributor: Maison 4:3 

Province: Quebec 

Longing (drama) 

Director and screenwriter: Savi Gabizon 

Production: Scythia Films Inc. (Canada) and CFE Longing Ltd. (Israel) 

Distributor: Mongrel Media 

Province: Ontario 

Out Standing in the Field (drama) 

Director: Mélanie Charbonneau 

Screenwriters: Martine Pagé and Mélanie Charbonneau 

Production: G.P.A. Films Inc. and January Films Ltd. 

Distributor: MK2-Mile End 

Provinces: Quebec and Ontario 

Paradise (thriller) 

Director: Jeremy Comte 

Screenwriters: Jeremy Comte and Will Niava 

Production: Entract Studios Inc. (Canada), Elevation Pictures Productions Inc. (Canada), Cinenovo (France), and Constellation Productions (France) 

Distributors: Elevation Pictures and Entract Films 

Provinces: Quebec and Ontario 

The Silent Planet (science fiction) 

Director and screenwriter: Jeffrey St. Jules 

Production: JoBro Productions Inc. and Panoramic Pictures 

Distributor: Aqute Media 

Provinces: Ontario and Newfoundland 

Space Cadet (musical/animation) 

Director: Eric San 

Screenwriter: Mylene Chollet 

Production: Les Films Outsiders Inc. 

Distributor: Maison 4:3 

Province: Quebec 

Warrior Strong (drama) 

Director: Shane Belcourt 

Screenwriters: Dan Gordon and Shane Belcourt 

Production: Darius Films Inc. 

Distributor: Aqute Media 

Province: Ontario 

Young Werther (comedy) 

Director and screenwriter: José Lourenço 

Production: Wildling Pictures Inc. 

Distributor: Level Film 

Province: Ontario