Mena Suvari, Alison Thornton and Aaron Ashmore have jumped on board What Comes Next, Alex Caulfield’s debut feature shooting in Vancouver.
The indie from Black Moon Media and Screen Siren Pictures also stars Maya Chariandy, Stephen Lobo, Sasha Warner, Christina Jastrzembska, Daxton Gujral, Kalyn Miles and River Codack. SAG-AFTRA members on the film got producer agreements to appear as What Comes Next is a Canadian indie pic.
The coming-of-age drama portrays 17-year-old Tanya, played by Thornton, as she begins a bad relationship with an older family friend, Grant (Ashmore). Without Tanya knowing, a decade earlier, Grant had an affair with her mother, Laura, played by Suvari. That forces Tanya and her mother to navigate the fallout over an uncomfortable summer.
Suvari had a breakthrough role in the Oscar-winning drama American Beauty and was part of the ensemble for American Pie comedies. Her other credits include South of Hell, which...
The indie from Black Moon Media and Screen Siren Pictures also stars Maya Chariandy, Stephen Lobo, Sasha Warner, Christina Jastrzembska, Daxton Gujral, Kalyn Miles and River Codack. SAG-AFTRA members on the film got producer agreements to appear as What Comes Next is a Canadian indie pic.
The coming-of-age drama portrays 17-year-old Tanya, played by Thornton, as she begins a bad relationship with an older family friend, Grant (Ashmore). Without Tanya knowing, a decade earlier, Grant had an affair with her mother, Laura, played by Suvari. That forces Tanya and her mother to navigate the fallout over an uncomfortable summer.
Suvari had a breakthrough role in the Oscar-winning drama American Beauty and was part of the ensemble for American Pie comedies. Her other credits include South of Hell, which...
- 9/9/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Billed as the first Indigenous and female-led produced, written, and directed drama about the residential school experience in North America, Marie Clements’ “Bones of Crows” is not afraid of making people uncomfortable.
“We should be squeamish about it,” the helmer tells Variety at Mipcom, addressing the show’s graphic scenes. A concurrent feature film is also in the works.
“I never felt it was too harsh or too violent, but violence towards Indigenous people is a fact. I wanted the audience to understand it, but also understand the release of that, the release of the past.”
Her decades-spanning story, told over the course of five episodes, focuses on Cree matriarch Aline as she survives a childhood in Canada’s residential school system and then continues to fight against systemic starvation, racism and sexual abuse.
A CBC Original, “Bones of Crows” is produced by Ayasew Ooskana Pictures Inc, with Marie Clements Media,...
“We should be squeamish about it,” the helmer tells Variety at Mipcom, addressing the show’s graphic scenes. A concurrent feature film is also in the works.
“I never felt it was too harsh or too violent, but violence towards Indigenous people is a fact. I wanted the audience to understand it, but also understand the release of that, the release of the past.”
Her decades-spanning story, told over the course of five episodes, focuses on Cree matriarch Aline as she survives a childhood in Canada’s residential school system and then continues to fight against systemic starvation, racism and sexual abuse.
A CBC Original, “Bones of Crows” is produced by Ayasew Ooskana Pictures Inc, with Marie Clements Media,...
- 10/21/2022
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Summer of Soul isn’t the only documentary about a lesser-known music festival that has historical significance.
Deadline understands that a film is in the works about the Toronto Rock & Roll Revival, which is best known for a rare solo performance by John Lennon, the first for the Plastic Ono Band, during his final days as a Beatle.
Rock & Roll Revival (w/t) is directed by Ron Chapman (The Poet of Havana) and will tell the story of the Toronto event in September 1969, held the same year as Woodstock and Harlem Cultural Festival.
The one-day music festival at the University of Toronto’s 20,000-seat Varsity Stadium was put together by young renegade promoter John Brower with artists including Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Gene Vincent, The Doors and Alice Cooper.
However, with dismal ticket sales, the concert almost was canceled before Brower invited Lennon and he said yes.
Deadline understands that a film is in the works about the Toronto Rock & Roll Revival, which is best known for a rare solo performance by John Lennon, the first for the Plastic Ono Band, during his final days as a Beatle.
Rock & Roll Revival (w/t) is directed by Ron Chapman (The Poet of Havana) and will tell the story of the Toronto event in September 1969, held the same year as Woodstock and Harlem Cultural Festival.
The one-day music festival at the University of Toronto’s 20,000-seat Varsity Stadium was put together by young renegade promoter John Brower with artists including Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Gene Vincent, The Doors and Alice Cooper.
However, with dismal ticket sales, the concert almost was canceled before Brower invited Lennon and he said yes.
- 8/10/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Vmi Distribution Adds Michael Madsen Pic
Exclusive: Vmi Releasing, the newly formed distribution arm of sales firm Vmi Worldwide, has acquired the North American rights to distribute Verdi Productions’ horror Burial Ground Massacre, starring Michael Madsen (The Hateful Eight), Chelsea Vale (Vault) and Travis Gordon (Ring Of Honor Wrestling). The film follows a group of college students who spend a night at an old, eerie manor, only to realize that a terrifying stalker is watching their every move. Directed by David Gere and Daniel Dahlstrom, the film is written by Eric Weinstock and David Gere, and is produced by Chad Verdi (The Irishman). Release date is slated for digital platforms on September 3, 2021. “Filming during Covid-19 was not an easy task, to say the least. We are very proud of the outcome of this film and happy to have teamed up with Vmi,” stated Verdi. Also producing were Chad A. Verdi Jr.,...
Exclusive: Vmi Releasing, the newly formed distribution arm of sales firm Vmi Worldwide, has acquired the North American rights to distribute Verdi Productions’ horror Burial Ground Massacre, starring Michael Madsen (The Hateful Eight), Chelsea Vale (Vault) and Travis Gordon (Ring Of Honor Wrestling). The film follows a group of college students who spend a night at an old, eerie manor, only to realize that a terrifying stalker is watching their every move. Directed by David Gere and Daniel Dahlstrom, the film is written by Eric Weinstock and David Gere, and is produced by Chad Verdi (The Irishman). Release date is slated for digital platforms on September 3, 2021. “Filming during Covid-19 was not an easy task, to say the least. We are very proud of the outcome of this film and happy to have teamed up with Vmi,” stated Verdi. Also producing were Chad A. Verdi Jr.,...
- 8/9/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Winners to be announced at live virtual ceremony on February 10.
The producers of French Exit, No Ordinary Man and Nadia, Butterfly are among nominees for the 15th annual Indiescreen Awards announced by the Canadian Media Producers Association (Cmpa).
The winners of both the Established Producer and Kevin Tierney Emerging Producer categories will be announced at a live virtual ceremony presented in partnership with Telefilm Canada as part of Cmpa’s Prime Time Online conference on February 10.
Cmpa president and CEO Reynolds Mastin said despite the impact of the pandemic on the independent Canadian film sector, “this diverse group of incredible...
The producers of French Exit, No Ordinary Man and Nadia, Butterfly are among nominees for the 15th annual Indiescreen Awards announced by the Canadian Media Producers Association (Cmpa).
The winners of both the Established Producer and Kevin Tierney Emerging Producer categories will be announced at a live virtual ceremony presented in partnership with Telefilm Canada as part of Cmpa’s Prime Time Online conference on February 10.
Cmpa president and CEO Reynolds Mastin said despite the impact of the pandemic on the independent Canadian film sector, “this diverse group of incredible...
- 1/12/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Does corporate influence have an effect on the spread of diseases like Covid-19? Joel Bakan and Jennifer Abbott, the filmmakers behind 2003’s “The Corporation,” are back with a sequel, “The New Corporation,” in which they draw the connection between how corporations have reacted to the environment and how they have contributed to the spread of disease.
“If we link corporate capitalism to the destruction of nature, which we can and do, then without question we can also link corporate capitalism to emerging diseases and there is ample evidence that this is the case,” Abbott told TheWrap’s Brian Welk during an interview for the remote Toronto Film Festival along with writer and co-director Joel Bakan.
Abbott provides an example about deforestation and how that puts human civilization in danger. “For example, if a forest is cut down and bats populated this forest, the bats have to go somewhere,” she said.
“If we link corporate capitalism to the destruction of nature, which we can and do, then without question we can also link corporate capitalism to emerging diseases and there is ample evidence that this is the case,” Abbott told TheWrap’s Brian Welk during an interview for the remote Toronto Film Festival along with writer and co-director Joel Bakan.
Abbott provides an example about deforestation and how that puts human civilization in danger. “For example, if a forest is cut down and bats populated this forest, the bats have to go somewhere,” she said.
- 10/4/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Schitt’s Creek has become the show to emulate when it comes to Canadian producers looking to find success outside of the Great White North.
Starting as a small comedy on Canadian public broadcaster, it has become a huge hit in the U.S. and around the world after launching on Pop TV and subsequently Netflix and stands a good chance at this weekend’s Emmys. It is one of a handful of Canadian shows, along with the likes of Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol, to become as successful as any comedy south of the border.
Now, a government-backed scheme has identified six Canadian producers with projects that they hope to replicate this success.
The Canadian Creative Accelerator, which is backed by the Trade Commissioner Service of the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles and the Government of Quebec, has highlighted six shows that will receive help and money to break out in the States.
Starting as a small comedy on Canadian public broadcaster, it has become a huge hit in the U.S. and around the world after launching on Pop TV and subsequently Netflix and stands a good chance at this weekend’s Emmys. It is one of a handful of Canadian shows, along with the likes of Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol, to become as successful as any comedy south of the border.
Now, a government-backed scheme has identified six Canadian producers with projects that they hope to replicate this success.
The Canadian Creative Accelerator, which is backed by the Trade Commissioner Service of the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles and the Government of Quebec, has highlighted six shows that will receive help and money to break out in the States.
- 9/18/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
In this “is the cinema half-empty or half-full?” world, Canadian producers are focusing on the perks of a leaner, hybrid Toronto fest, rather than empty seats.
“There is so much happening in the world on social and political levels, I am curious how that influences the consciousness of the marketplace,” says Toronto vet Charles Officer, director and co-producer of gang drama “Akilla’s Escape,” starring poet-actor Saul Williams.
“Screening in a smaller pool of titles allows for more visibility,” says Officer. “It’s important the cast of talented Black actors receive exposure at a festival like Toronto, and it’s rare that Black filmmakers in Canada make features — we can’t afford to be passive about opportunities to participate.” XYZ Films is selling the film.
WaZabi Films’ “Beans,” Tracey Deer’s coming-of-ager set during the 1990 standoff between Mohawk communities and government forces in Oka, Quebec, is “relevant to the times we are living in,...
“There is so much happening in the world on social and political levels, I am curious how that influences the consciousness of the marketplace,” says Toronto vet Charles Officer, director and co-producer of gang drama “Akilla’s Escape,” starring poet-actor Saul Williams.
“Screening in a smaller pool of titles allows for more visibility,” says Officer. “It’s important the cast of talented Black actors receive exposure at a festival like Toronto, and it’s rare that Black filmmakers in Canada make features — we can’t afford to be passive about opportunities to participate.” XYZ Films is selling the film.
WaZabi Films’ “Beans,” Tracey Deer’s coming-of-ager set during the 1990 standoff between Mohawk communities and government forces in Oka, Quebec, is “relevant to the times we are living in,...
- 9/9/2020
- by Jennie Punter
- Variety Film + TV
Roster of participants includes 44 female producers out of 73 in total.
The latest projects from producers of French Exit and The Babadook are among the roster at the virtual 15th Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) set to run from September 13-14.
The co-financing and co-production market takes place in association with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and serves international and Canadian producers developing mostly English-language projects.
The two-day schedule includes networking opportunities for producers with international sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents, and executive producers, as well as an exclusive state-of-the-industry panel discussion, producer drop-in sessions, and access to a TIFF case study on co-productions.
The latest projects from producers of French Exit and The Babadook are among the roster at the virtual 15th Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) set to run from September 13-14.
The co-financing and co-production market takes place in association with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and serves international and Canadian producers developing mostly English-language projects.
The two-day schedule includes networking opportunities for producers with international sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents, and executive producers, as well as an exclusive state-of-the-industry panel discussion, producer drop-in sessions, and access to a TIFF case study on co-productions.
- 9/1/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Roster of participants includes 44 female producers out of 73 in total.
The latest projects from producers of French Exit and The Babadook are among the roster at the virtual 15th Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) set to run from September 13-14.
The co-financing and co-production market takes place in association with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and serves international and Canadian producers developing mostly English-language projects.
The two-day schedule includes networking opportunities for producers with international sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents, and executive producers, as well as an exclusive state-of-the-industry panel discussion, producer drop-in sessions, and access to a TIFF case study on co-productions.
The latest projects from producers of French Exit and The Babadook are among the roster at the virtual 15th Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) set to run from September 13-14.
The co-financing and co-production market takes place in association with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and serves international and Canadian producers developing mostly English-language projects.
The two-day schedule includes networking opportunities for producers with international sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents, and executive producers, as well as an exclusive state-of-the-industry panel discussion, producer drop-in sessions, and access to a TIFF case study on co-productions.
- 9/1/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Roster of participants includes 44 female producers out of 73 in total.
The latest projects from producers of French Exit and The Babadook are among the roster at the virtual 15th Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) set to run from September 13-14.
The co-financing and co-production market takes place in association with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and serves international and Canadian producers developing mostly English-language projects.
The two-day schedule includes networking opportunities for producers with international sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents, and executive producers, as well as an exclusive state-of-the-industry panel discussion, producer drop-in sessions, and access to a TIFF case study on co-productions.
The latest projects from producers of French Exit and The Babadook are among the roster at the virtual 15th Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff) set to run from September 13-14.
The co-financing and co-production market takes place in association with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and serves international and Canadian producers developing mostly English-language projects.
The two-day schedule includes networking opportunities for producers with international sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents, and executive producers, as well as an exclusive state-of-the-industry panel discussion, producer drop-in sessions, and access to a TIFF case study on co-productions.
- 9/1/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Ten years after the original film, YouTube has ordered a sequel to “Life in a Day,” reuniting executive producer Ridley Scott and director Kevin Macdonald for a new documentary that will stitch together hundreds of user-submitted videos from across the globe on a single date.
“Life in a Day 2020” is slated to premiere at next year’s Sundance Film Festival and on YouTube in 2021. The project marks one of the first titles to be confirmed for Sundance, which doesn’t normally reveal selections until early December.
The film will be compiled from video clips submitted by people on the same day — Saturday, July 25, 2020 — to tell the story of a single day on Earth, following the conceit of the original.
“Making the first ‘Life in a Day’ was one of the most joyful and eye-opening experiences of my life,” Macdonald said in a statement. “I am thrilled, 10 years later, that we...
“Life in a Day 2020” is slated to premiere at next year’s Sundance Film Festival and on YouTube in 2021. The project marks one of the first titles to be confirmed for Sundance, which doesn’t normally reveal selections until early December.
The film will be compiled from video clips submitted by people on the same day — Saturday, July 25, 2020 — to tell the story of a single day on Earth, following the conceit of the original.
“Making the first ‘Life in a Day’ was one of the most joyful and eye-opening experiences of my life,” Macdonald said in a statement. “I am thrilled, 10 years later, that we...
- 7/8/2020
- by Todd Spangler and Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
On the heels of Telefilm Canada’s pledge on November 11 that half of its projects will be directed or written by women in a move to close the industry gender gap by 2020, the Whistler Film Festival (Nov 30 — Dec 4) was proud to present an unprecedented number of female focused films, talent, events and awards throughout its 2016 programs.
The festival featured a record 31 (36%) films all directed by women (including 15 feature films out of 50 and 16 short films out of 36). Wff also has 38 (58%) female filmmakers out of the 66 Canadian artists confirmed to date participating in 11 talent programs — including 22 directors, 6 producers, 3 screenwriters, 2 actors, and 5 musicians/bands in the Music Showcase. Add this to the talent confirmed to attend the festival in support of their films and projects, including award winning director and screenwriter Deepa Mehta (An Anatomy Of Violence), director Ingrid Veninger (Hockey Night), director Kirsten Carthew (The Sun At Midnight) and director Martine Blue...
The festival featured a record 31 (36%) films all directed by women (including 15 feature films out of 50 and 16 short films out of 36). Wff also has 38 (58%) female filmmakers out of the 66 Canadian artists confirmed to date participating in 11 talent programs — including 22 directors, 6 producers, 3 screenwriters, 2 actors, and 5 musicians/bands in the Music Showcase. Add this to the talent confirmed to attend the festival in support of their films and projects, including award winning director and screenwriter Deepa Mehta (An Anatomy Of Violence), director Ingrid Veninger (Hockey Night), director Kirsten Carthew (The Sun At Midnight) and director Martine Blue...
- 12/7/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The Raven Banner specialty label has acquired Canadian rights to Kevan Funk’s film ahead of its world premiere in Toronto’s Discovery section next month.
Hello Destroyer stars Tiff Rising Star Jared Abrahamson as a shy enforcer on a hockey team whose life is shattered by an act of violence during a game.
As he struggles with the repercussions he learns more about the brutal world of his locker room compadres.
Toronto-based Northern Banner plans an early 2017 theatrical release.
Kurt Max Runte, Paul McGillion, Ian Tracey, Sara Canning, Ben Cotton, Maxwell Haynes and newcomer talent Joe Dion Buffalo round out the key cast.
Haydn Wazelle of Tabula Dada and Daniel Domachowski of Type One produced Hello Destroyer and Christine Haebler and Trish Dolman served as executive producers. Telefilm Canada participated in the development and financing.
“Like the vast majority of my short film work that I have made leading up to this, the film is...
Hello Destroyer stars Tiff Rising Star Jared Abrahamson as a shy enforcer on a hockey team whose life is shattered by an act of violence during a game.
As he struggles with the repercussions he learns more about the brutal world of his locker room compadres.
Toronto-based Northern Banner plans an early 2017 theatrical release.
Kurt Max Runte, Paul McGillion, Ian Tracey, Sara Canning, Ben Cotton, Maxwell Haynes and newcomer talent Joe Dion Buffalo round out the key cast.
Haydn Wazelle of Tabula Dada and Daniel Domachowski of Type One produced Hello Destroyer and Christine Haebler and Trish Dolman served as executive producers. Telefilm Canada participated in the development and financing.
“Like the vast majority of my short film work that I have made leading up to this, the film is...
- 8/17/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Neil Armfield.s Holding the Man, Simon Stone.s The Daughter, Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin and Jen Peedom.s feature doc Sherpa will have their world premieres at the Sydney Film Festival.
The festival program unveiled today includes 33 world premieres (including 22 shorts) and 135 Australian premieres (with 18 shorts) among 251 titles from 68 countries.
Among the other premieres will be Daina Reid.s The Secret River, Ruby Entertainment's. ABC-tv miniseries starring Oliver Jackson Cohen and Sarah Snook, and three Oz docs, Marc Eberle.s The Cambodian Space Project — Not Easy Rock .n. Roll, Steve Thomas. Freedom Stories and Lisa Nicol.s Wide Open Sky.
Festival director Nashen Moodley boasted. this year.s event will be far larger than 2014's when 183 films from 47 countries were screened, including 15 world premieres. The expansion is possible in part due to the addition of two new screening venues in Newtown and Liverpool.
As previously announced, Brendan Cowell...
The festival program unveiled today includes 33 world premieres (including 22 shorts) and 135 Australian premieres (with 18 shorts) among 251 titles from 68 countries.
Among the other premieres will be Daina Reid.s The Secret River, Ruby Entertainment's. ABC-tv miniseries starring Oliver Jackson Cohen and Sarah Snook, and three Oz docs, Marc Eberle.s The Cambodian Space Project — Not Easy Rock .n. Roll, Steve Thomas. Freedom Stories and Lisa Nicol.s Wide Open Sky.
Festival director Nashen Moodley boasted. this year.s event will be far larger than 2014's when 183 films from 47 countries were screened, including 15 world premieres. The expansion is possible in part due to the addition of two new screening venues in Newtown and Liverpool.
As previously announced, Brendan Cowell...
- 5/6/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Deals on Simon Pegg comedy include South Korea, Spain, Benelux.
UK sales outfit Bankside has closed a number of deals on Peter Chelsom’s comedy Hector and the Search for Happiness, starring Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Toni Collette, Stellan Skarsgard, Jean Reno and Christopher Plummer.
Buyers include World Airlines (Entertainment in Motion), Benelux (Imagine Film Distribution), Cis/Baltic States (Exponenta), Greece (Feelgood Entertainment), Hong Kong (Cinehub/UA Films), Israel (Forum Film), Poland (Kino Swiat), Portugal (Outsider Films), South Korea (GreenNarae) and Spain (Festival Films).
Previously announced presales include UK (Koch Media), Canada, (Eone) Australia/Nz (Becker Film Group), Germany/German Speaking Europe (Wild Bunch Germany), Middle East (Eagle Films) and Turkey (Aqua Group).
Relativity announced its acquisition of Us rights earlier this week with a theatrical release scheduled for September 2014.
Maria von Heland, Peter Chelsom and Tinker Lindsay’s script, based on the bestselling novel by François Lelord, charts the journey of a psychiatrist (Pegg) who searches...
UK sales outfit Bankside has closed a number of deals on Peter Chelsom’s comedy Hector and the Search for Happiness, starring Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Toni Collette, Stellan Skarsgard, Jean Reno and Christopher Plummer.
Buyers include World Airlines (Entertainment in Motion), Benelux (Imagine Film Distribution), Cis/Baltic States (Exponenta), Greece (Feelgood Entertainment), Hong Kong (Cinehub/UA Films), Israel (Forum Film), Poland (Kino Swiat), Portugal (Outsider Films), South Korea (GreenNarae) and Spain (Festival Films).
Previously announced presales include UK (Koch Media), Canada, (Eone) Australia/Nz (Becker Film Group), Germany/German Speaking Europe (Wild Bunch Germany), Middle East (Eagle Films) and Turkey (Aqua Group).
Relativity announced its acquisition of Us rights earlier this week with a theatrical release scheduled for September 2014.
Maria von Heland, Peter Chelsom and Tinker Lindsay’s script, based on the bestselling novel by François Lelord, charts the journey of a psychiatrist (Pegg) who searches...
- 4/24/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Relativity has closed a 7-figure deal for U.S. distribution rights to Hector And The Search For Happiness, the Peter Chelsom-directed comedy that stars Simon Pegg, Toni Collette, Rosamund Pike, Stllan Skarsgard, Jean Reno and Christopher Plummer. Relativity has dated the film for a September 26 platform opening, expanding wider on October 3. The script was written by Maria von Heland, Chelsom & Tinker Lindsay. Related: Simon Pegg On A ‘Search For Happiness’ The film is based on the bestselling novel by François Lelord, and Pegg plays a disillusioned psychiatrist searching the globe to find the secret to happiness. The film is a co-production between Egoli Tossell Film, Erfttal Film and Screen Siren Pictures film, in association with Head Gear Films and Film House Germany. It was produced with the participation of Telefilm Canada, the German Federal Film Board (Ffa), Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and the German Federal Film Fund (Dfff). It was...
- 4/23/2014
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Th International Financing Forum (Iff) will be held at this year's Tiff by the Ontario Media Development Corporation (Omdc), now in its 8th edition the annual event will bring the best Canadian and international producers to an expectant group of industry executives, sales agents, financiers, and distributors.
During the two-day networking program, taking place September 8tha and 9th, 40 feature film projects will be get this invaluable exposure. Twenty-one of these potential works are Canadian, the rest represent 15 international markets from around the globe which include Australia, Bulgaria, England, Germany, India, Finland, France, Israel, Japan, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and The United State.
Via more than 682 meetings scheduled for Iff 2013 the selected projects will have the chance to be connected with over 30 international companies :
Bankside Films, Big Beach Films, Cinetic Media, eOne Entertainment, Film4, FilmNation, IFC Films/Sundance Selects, K5 Media Group, ICM Partners, Kickstarter, Magnolia, The Match Factory, Nordisk, Participant Films, Parts & Labor Films, Protagonist Pictures, River Road Entertainment, See-Saw Films, TF1, Voltage, Wild Bunch, and William Morris Endeavor, among other top film companies.
Canadian producers/projects include:
• Toronto producer David Cormican of Don Carmody Productions with romantic comedy, The Jane Austen Marriage Manual, written by internationally best-selling novelist Kim Izzo (The Fabulous Girl’s Guide to Decorum)
• Vancouver’s Trish Dolman and Christine Haebler (Hector and The Search For Happiness starring Simon Pegg) with Nick Broomfield’s ( Kurt and Courtney) fiction feature film directorial debut, The Catastrophist, to star Freida Pinto, John C. Reilly, and Dana Stevens
• Toronto producer, Frank Siracusa with murder-mystery, The Bird Artist, with Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns with Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg) at the helm, written by Malcolm McRury (The Man Without A Face, Deadwood)
• International projects include:
• Award-winning Iranian director, novelist, human rights activist, Mohsen Makhmalbaf (award-winning Gabbeh, Iran’s submission for 70th Academy Awards®) with The President from U.K. producers, Mike Downey (Deathwatch) and Sam Taylor (Before The Rain)
• Netherlands producers Pierre Spengler and Laurence Lamers (1995 Palme d’Or Winner – Underground; Superman I and II) with historical-drama, Orestes, with Freddie Highmore, Susan Lynch and Alan Cumming attached to star
• Finnish producer, Tero Kaukomaa (2000 Palme d’Or winner, Dancer in the Dark and award-winning Iron Sky) with Deadrise, a Timo Vuerensola (Iron Sky) horror/zombie project
• U.S. producers Mona Panchal (former Paramount executive) and Priya Swaminathan (head of development, George Clooney’s Smoke House Pictures) with psychological thriller, The Incident (2013 Sundance Screenwriting and Directing labs), written and to be directed by Jan Kwiecinski (Vice Films distributed, Fawns).
Some of the recent successful projects supported in previous years by the Iff include the 2011 Academy Award nominated film Incendies by Denis Villeneuve who returns to Toronto with two films Prisoners and Enemy , David Michod's Animal Kingdom, and more recently Wadjda, the first Saudi Arabian feature film from a female director, which opens in the U.S on September 13th.
During the two-day networking program, taking place September 8tha and 9th, 40 feature film projects will be get this invaluable exposure. Twenty-one of these potential works are Canadian, the rest represent 15 international markets from around the globe which include Australia, Bulgaria, England, Germany, India, Finland, France, Israel, Japan, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and The United State.
Via more than 682 meetings scheduled for Iff 2013 the selected projects will have the chance to be connected with over 30 international companies :
Bankside Films, Big Beach Films, Cinetic Media, eOne Entertainment, Film4, FilmNation, IFC Films/Sundance Selects, K5 Media Group, ICM Partners, Kickstarter, Magnolia, The Match Factory, Nordisk, Participant Films, Parts & Labor Films, Protagonist Pictures, River Road Entertainment, See-Saw Films, TF1, Voltage, Wild Bunch, and William Morris Endeavor, among other top film companies.
Canadian producers/projects include:
• Toronto producer David Cormican of Don Carmody Productions with romantic comedy, The Jane Austen Marriage Manual, written by internationally best-selling novelist Kim Izzo (The Fabulous Girl’s Guide to Decorum)
• Vancouver’s Trish Dolman and Christine Haebler (Hector and The Search For Happiness starring Simon Pegg) with Nick Broomfield’s ( Kurt and Courtney) fiction feature film directorial debut, The Catastrophist, to star Freida Pinto, John C. Reilly, and Dana Stevens
• Toronto producer, Frank Siracusa with murder-mystery, The Bird Artist, with Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns with Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg) at the helm, written by Malcolm McRury (The Man Without A Face, Deadwood)
• International projects include:
• Award-winning Iranian director, novelist, human rights activist, Mohsen Makhmalbaf (award-winning Gabbeh, Iran’s submission for 70th Academy Awards®) with The President from U.K. producers, Mike Downey (Deathwatch) and Sam Taylor (Before The Rain)
• Netherlands producers Pierre Spengler and Laurence Lamers (1995 Palme d’Or Winner – Underground; Superman I and II) with historical-drama, Orestes, with Freddie Highmore, Susan Lynch and Alan Cumming attached to star
• Finnish producer, Tero Kaukomaa (2000 Palme d’Or winner, Dancer in the Dark and award-winning Iron Sky) with Deadrise, a Timo Vuerensola (Iron Sky) horror/zombie project
• U.S. producers Mona Panchal (former Paramount executive) and Priya Swaminathan (head of development, George Clooney’s Smoke House Pictures) with psychological thriller, The Incident (2013 Sundance Screenwriting and Directing labs), written and to be directed by Jan Kwiecinski (Vice Films distributed, Fawns).
Some of the recent successful projects supported in previous years by the Iff include the 2011 Academy Award nominated film Incendies by Denis Villeneuve who returns to Toronto with two films Prisoners and Enemy , David Michod's Animal Kingdom, and more recently Wadjda, the first Saudi Arabian feature film from a female director, which opens in the U.S on September 13th.
- 9/9/2013
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Exclusive: 40 Canadian and international producer teams selected for Omdc’s eighth annual Toronto co-financing market.
New films by Donald Petrie, Timo Vuorensola, Baltasar Kormakur [pictured], Nick Broomfield, Gillies Mackinnon are some of the 40 selections for the eighth Omdc’s International Financing Forum. (Full list below)
The Ontario Media Development Corporation’s feature film co-financing market will be held Sept 8-9, running concurrently to Tiff.
The two-day event includes one-on-one producer meetings, a top-level panel discussion, roundtable meetings, a networking luncheon, and a networking reception.
The initiative focuses on English language feature film projects being developed by international and Canadian producers, who meet with executives including sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents and executive producers – from companies including Beta Cinema, Big Beach, Cinetic, eOne, Film4, Film Nation, TF1, Wild Bunch and William Morris Endeavor.
The Canadian-produced projects selected this year include Nick Broomfield’s fiction feature film debut The Catastrophist to star Freida Pinto and John C Reilly and to...
New films by Donald Petrie, Timo Vuorensola, Baltasar Kormakur [pictured], Nick Broomfield, Gillies Mackinnon are some of the 40 selections for the eighth Omdc’s International Financing Forum. (Full list below)
The Ontario Media Development Corporation’s feature film co-financing market will be held Sept 8-9, running concurrently to Tiff.
The two-day event includes one-on-one producer meetings, a top-level panel discussion, roundtable meetings, a networking luncheon, and a networking reception.
The initiative focuses on English language feature film projects being developed by international and Canadian producers, who meet with executives including sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents and executive producers – from companies including Beta Cinema, Big Beach, Cinetic, eOne, Film4, Film Nation, TF1, Wild Bunch and William Morris Endeavor.
The Canadian-produced projects selected this year include Nick Broomfield’s fiction feature film debut The Catastrophist to star Freida Pinto and John C Reilly and to...
- 8/27/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Toni Collette and Jean Reno are set to star in Hector And The Search For Happiness, a romantic comedy feature directed by Peter Chelsom that follows a psychiatrist as he searches the globe for the definition of happiness. The addition of Collette and Reno completes the casting and the film has just commenced principal photography. Collette and Reno join a stellar cast that includes Simon Pegg, who will play Hector, an eccentric London psychiatrist in crisis; Rosamund Pike; Stellan Skarsgård; Christopher Plummer; Desiree Zurowski; and Jakob Davies. Chelsom and Tinker Lindsay wrote the screenplay, adapted from the novel of the same name by Francis Lelord. The film is produced by Judy Tossell for Egoli Tossell Film and Christine Haebler for Screen Siren Pictures. Jens Meurer and Trish Dolman are serving as executive producers. Collette is repped by Wme, Reno by ICM Partners. UTA is representing U.S. rights...
- 4/2/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Actor Stellan Skarsgård (The Avengers, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Mamma Mia!) has joined the cast of Peter Chelsom.s drama comedy Hector And The Search For Happiness, it was announced today by The Solution Entertainment Group.s (.The Solution.) founders and partners, Lisa Wilson and Myles Nestel, and producers Judy Tossell of Egoli Tossell Film and Christine Haebler of Screen Siren Pictures.
Skarsgård joins the previously announced Simon Pegg (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol), Rosamund Pike (upcoming Jack Reacher) and Oscar winner Christopher Plummer (Beginners). Also appearing in a cameo will be cult German actress Marianne Sägebrecht (Bagdad CAFÈ).
Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by François Lelord, the script is written by Maria von Heland, Chelsom and Tinker Lindsay. The film is a German/Canadian co-production produced by Judy Tossell for Egoli Tossell Film and Christine Haebler for Screen Siren Pictures, with Jens Meurer and Trish Dolman executive producing.
Skarsgård joins the previously announced Simon Pegg (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol), Rosamund Pike (upcoming Jack Reacher) and Oscar winner Christopher Plummer (Beginners). Also appearing in a cameo will be cult German actress Marianne Sägebrecht (Bagdad CAFÈ).
Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by François Lelord, the script is written by Maria von Heland, Chelsom and Tinker Lindsay. The film is a German/Canadian co-production produced by Judy Tossell for Egoli Tossell Film and Christine Haebler for Screen Siren Pictures, with Jens Meurer and Trish Dolman executive producing.
- 11/1/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Rosamund Pike (An Education, Johnny English Reborn, Clash Of The Titans) and Academy Award Winner Christopher Plummer (Beginners, The Last Station, The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnassus) have joined the cast of director Peter Chelsom.s upcoming drama comedy Hector And The Search For Happiness in which Simon Pegg (Mission: Impossible -Ghost Protocol, Paul) will play the lead. The announcement was made by producers Judy Tossell of Egoli Tossell Film (The Last Station, Carlos, Black Death) and Christine Haebler of Screen Siren Pictures (Hard Core Logo, Daydream Nation, Foreverland). The Solution Entertainment Group (.The Solution.) is handling international rights to the film and will be selling to buyers in Toronto; United Talent Agency are representing Us rights.
Adapted for the screen from the bestselling novel of the same name by François Lelord, the film is a German/Canadian co-production produced by Egoli Tossell Film and Screen Siren Pictures currently in pre-production...
Adapted for the screen from the bestselling novel of the same name by François Lelord, the film is a German/Canadian co-production produced by Egoli Tossell Film and Screen Siren Pictures currently in pre-production...
- 9/6/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
British comedic actor Simon Pegg (Mission: Impossible -Ghost Protocol, Paul) has been cast in the lead role in director Peter Chelsom.s (Shall We Dance?, Funny Bones,) next movie – drama comedy Hector And The Search For Happiness, it was announced today by Lisa Wilson and Myles Nestel, founders and co-partners of The Solution Entertainment Group (.The Solution.) who are handling worldwide rights to the film.
Adapted for the screen by Chelsom and Tinker Lindsay from the bestselling novel of the same name by François Lelord, the film is a German/Canadian co-production produced by Egoli Tossell Film and Screen Siren Pictures currently in pre-production and set to shoot straight after Pegg.s The World.S End.
Pegg plays Hector, an eccentric yet irresistible London psychiatrist in crisis: his patients are just not getting any happier! He.s going nowhere. Then one day, armed with buckets of courage and an almost child-like curiosity,...
Adapted for the screen by Chelsom and Tinker Lindsay from the bestselling novel of the same name by François Lelord, the film is a German/Canadian co-production produced by Egoli Tossell Film and Screen Siren Pictures currently in pre-production and set to shoot straight after Pegg.s The World.S End.
Pegg plays Hector, an eccentric yet irresistible London psychiatrist in crisis: his patients are just not getting any happier! He.s going nowhere. Then one day, armed with buckets of courage and an almost child-like curiosity,...
- 5/19/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The 20th Annual Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival (Sliff), which began on Nov. 10, concluded on Nov. 20. Nearly 24,000 people attended . 23,948 patrons participated in fest-related events, a 23 percent increase from 2010 and a festival record.
Awards were announced at the Nov. 20 closing-night party at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark:
Audience Choice Awards
Best Narrative Feature: .In Darkness,. by Agnieszka Holland
Best International Narrative Feature: .The Artist,. by Michael Hazanavicius
Leon Award for Best Documentary Feature: .Carol Channing: Larger Than Life,. by Dori Berinstein
New Filmmakers Forum Emerging Director Award
.96 Minutes,. by Aimee Lagos ($500 cash prize)
Interfaith Awards
Best Narrative Feature: .The White Meadows,. by Mohammed Rasoulof
Best Documentary Feature: .The Welcome,. by Kim Shelton
Midrash Awards
Best Narrative Feature: .Joint Body,. by Brian Jun ($500 cash prize)
Best Documentary Feature: .The Pruitt-Igoe Myth,. by Chad Freidrichs ($300 cash prize)
Short Film Awards
Best of Fest: .Baby,. by Daniel Mulloy
Best Local Short: .My Best Wand,...
Awards were announced at the Nov. 20 closing-night party at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark:
Audience Choice Awards
Best Narrative Feature: .In Darkness,. by Agnieszka Holland
Best International Narrative Feature: .The Artist,. by Michael Hazanavicius
Leon Award for Best Documentary Feature: .Carol Channing: Larger Than Life,. by Dori Berinstein
New Filmmakers Forum Emerging Director Award
.96 Minutes,. by Aimee Lagos ($500 cash prize)
Interfaith Awards
Best Narrative Feature: .The White Meadows,. by Mohammed Rasoulof
Best Documentary Feature: .The Welcome,. by Kim Shelton
Midrash Awards
Best Narrative Feature: .Joint Body,. by Brian Jun ($500 cash prize)
Best Documentary Feature: .The Pruitt-Igoe Myth,. by Chad Freidrichs ($300 cash prize)
Short Film Awards
Best of Fest: .Baby,. by Daniel Mulloy
Best Local Short: .My Best Wand,...
- 11/24/2011
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
It was a late night down at the Ballpark Hilton where Cinema St. Louis held their annual post-fest awards party for the St. Louis International Film Festival last night. The most coveted prize is the audience-choice award and this year it was a bit of a surprise when In Darkness was announced as the winner. The Descendants or The Artist both seemed like more obvious choices but Agnieszka Holland’s drama about Jewish refugees living in the sewers beneath in Nazi-occupied Poland apparently wowed St. Louis audiences enough to take home the prize. It was not a film that We Are Movie Geeks was able to review in our extensive coverage of the fest, but one we will certainly look forward to seeing and reviewing. The Artist received the second highest number of votes and was named “Best Foreign Narrative Feature”. Big congratulations to Cinema St. Louis. This was their...
- 11/22/2011
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Sneak Peek the new poster supporting the Vancouver-lensed, Canadian feature film "Daydream Nation", written and directed by Michael Goldbach.
The teen romance stars Kat Dennings as 'Caroline Wexler', Reece Thompson as 'Thurston', Josh Lucas as 'Barry Anderson', Andie MacDowell as 'Enid Goldberg' and Rachel Blanchard as 'Ms. Budge' :
"...Seventeen-year-old Caroline Wexler (Dennings) and her father move from the city to a small town in British Columbia where an industrial fire burns endlessly and everyone in her new high school seems to be permanently stoned. One of Caroline's classmates, Thurston (Thompson), quickly falls for her. Caroline, however, is attracted to her teacher Barry Anderson (Lucas) and the two begin an affair.
"Caroline eventually realizes that Barry is deeply dysfunctional and breaks off the relationship in favor of Thurston. But Barry does everything to sabotage the budding romance as Caroline's simple life suddenly descends into chaos..."
"Daydream Nation" was produced by Christine Haebler,...
The teen romance stars Kat Dennings as 'Caroline Wexler', Reece Thompson as 'Thurston', Josh Lucas as 'Barry Anderson', Andie MacDowell as 'Enid Goldberg' and Rachel Blanchard as 'Ms. Budge' :
"...Seventeen-year-old Caroline Wexler (Dennings) and her father move from the city to a small town in British Columbia where an industrial fire burns endlessly and everyone in her new high school seems to be permanently stoned. One of Caroline's classmates, Thurston (Thompson), quickly falls for her. Caroline, however, is attracted to her teacher Barry Anderson (Lucas) and the two begin an affair.
"Caroline eventually realizes that Barry is deeply dysfunctional and breaks off the relationship in favor of Thurston. But Barry does everything to sabotage the budding romance as Caroline's simple life suddenly descends into chaos..."
"Daydream Nation" was produced by Christine Haebler,...
- 3/11/2011
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Juliette Lewis, Thomas Dekker, Max Thieriot and Laurence Laboeuf are all set to star in Canadian director Maxwell McGuire’s "Foreverland" for Screen Siren Pictures and Bron Studio says The Hollywood Reporter.
The story follows a young man named Will Rankin (Thieriot) stricken with cystic fibrosis who goes on a road trip with the sister of his fallen friend (Laboeuf) to deliver his friend’s ashes to a healing shrine in Mexico.
Shawn Riopelle and McGuire penned the script while Trish Dolman, Christine Haebler and Aaron Gilbert are producing.
The film is being shot around Vancouver and the west coast of Vancouver Island before shifting to Baja, Mexico late next month.
The story follows a young man named Will Rankin (Thieriot) stricken with cystic fibrosis who goes on a road trip with the sister of his fallen friend (Laboeuf) to deliver his friend’s ashes to a healing shrine in Mexico.
Shawn Riopelle and McGuire penned the script while Trish Dolman, Christine Haebler and Aaron Gilbert are producing.
The film is being shot around Vancouver and the west coast of Vancouver Island before shifting to Baja, Mexico late next month.
- 1/28/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Following the Canadian film "Daydream Nation", opening September's Tiff 'Canada First! Program', Tim Brown's Joker Films has now sold director Michael Goldbach’s first feature to Anchor Bay Films, who acquired distribution rights for the Us, UK and Australia/New Zealand territories.
"...'Caroline Wexler' (Kat Dennings) is a witty, sexy 17 year old who quickly realizes she has little in common with the 'hicks' that populate her new high school. So she has an affair with the one person she connects with – her handsome young teacher, 'Mr. Anderson'. Caroline’s extracurricular affair takes a turn for the worse when she realizes Andreson is not only deeply dysfunctional, but also tormented by a mysterious past. When she breaks off the affair in favor of a classmate, Anderson does everything to sabotage the budding high school romance. Caroline’s chaotic life begins to mirror the hysteria of the small town as rumors...
"...'Caroline Wexler' (Kat Dennings) is a witty, sexy 17 year old who quickly realizes she has little in common with the 'hicks' that populate her new high school. So she has an affair with the one person she connects with – her handsome young teacher, 'Mr. Anderson'. Caroline’s extracurricular affair takes a turn for the worse when she realizes Andreson is not only deeply dysfunctional, but also tormented by a mysterious past. When she breaks off the affair in favor of a classmate, Anderson does everything to sabotage the budding high school romance. Caroline’s chaotic life begins to mirror the hysteria of the small town as rumors...
- 11/5/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Sneak Peek the new poster supporting the Canadian feature film "Year Of The Carnivore", directed by Sook-Yin-Lee.
The romantic comedy follows a female grocery store detective with a crush on a boy who rejects her because she has 'too little' sexual experience.
The film is Lee's feature directorial debut, premiering @ the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival as a 'Canada First' selection.
Produced by Trish Dolman, "Carnivore" stars Cristin Milioti as 'Sammy Smalls', Mark Rendall as 'Eugene', Will Sasso ("MadTV") as 'Dirk', Ali Liebert as 'Sylvia', Sheila McCarthy as 'Mrs. Smalls', Kevin McDonald as 'Mr. Smalls' and Patrick Gilmore as 'Todd'.
Click the images and Sneak Peek "Year Of The Carnivore"...
The romantic comedy follows a female grocery store detective with a crush on a boy who rejects her because she has 'too little' sexual experience.
The film is Lee's feature directorial debut, premiering @ the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival as a 'Canada First' selection.
Produced by Trish Dolman, "Carnivore" stars Cristin Milioti as 'Sammy Smalls', Mark Rendall as 'Eugene', Will Sasso ("MadTV") as 'Dirk', Ali Liebert as 'Sylvia', Sheila McCarthy as 'Mrs. Smalls', Kevin McDonald as 'Mr. Smalls' and Patrick Gilmore as 'Todd'.
Click the images and Sneak Peek "Year Of The Carnivore"...
- 5/19/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
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