Canadian talent gains important platform in New York market

Barney's Version to open 2010 Hamptons International Film Festival and
anchor new Eye on Canadian Films program

MONTREAL, Oct 7 /CNW Telbec/ - Richard J. Lewis' adaptation of Mordecai Richler's novel Barney's Version will open the Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) on Long Island, New York, and anchor the festival's new Eye on Canadian Films program. The new program will showcase seven narrative films and documentaries and their film talent in the influential US market as well as feature a work-in-progress forum for social advocacy documentaries.

Telefilm will also host an industry event to introduce Canadian talent to the New York City-based US industry with the support of the Canadian Consulate General in New York, Hot Docs and the Budd Sugarman Foundation.

In addition to Canadian films being screened at HIFF, titles such as Last Train Home, Cairo Time and Incendies (Canada's 2011 Oscar® entry for Best Foreign Language Film) have contributed to growing interest in Canadian films from American festival programmers, and have generated buzz, sales and successful releases in the US.

"This partnership is timely as it will leverage the momentum that is building for our films across the border," said Sheila de La Varende, Director, National and International Business Development at Telefilm Canada. "Our foreign festival partners are key conduits into their local film industries, and the Hamptons' Eye on Canadian Films program should offer an important channel into the influential and lucrative US film market both for building American audiences for Canadian cinema, and for connecting Canadian talent with the US film industry," she added.

"With Canadian films continuing to rise in prominence on the world stage, we are excited to present this year's Eye on Canadian Films program. From our work with Hot Docs, to the stellar line up of narrative films and our festival's opening night film Barney's Version, we'll really be able to shine a spotlight on all of the exciting developments happening in Canadian film," said HIFF Director of Programming, David Nugent.

Canadian narratives at HIFF 2010

Opening Night	Barney's Version, directed by Richard J. Lewis    - Production companies: Serendipity Point Films (Toronto), Fandango (Italy)    - Distributed in Canada by eOne Films and in the US by Sony Pictures Classics    - Guests expected: Director Richard J. Lewis, Producer Robert Lantos, Actor Paul Giamatti
Competition	Heartbeats (Les Amours imaginaires), directed by Xavier Dolan    - Production company: Mifilifilms (Montreal)    - Distributed in the US by IFC Films    - One of five films in Golden Starfish Award Narrative Competition
Spotlight	Casino Jack, directed by George Hickenlooper, starring Kevin Spacey    - Production company Bagman (2009) Inc, (Toronto)    - Distributed in the US by ATO Pictures    - Guest expected: Director George Hickenlooper
World Cinema	Small Town Murder Songs, directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly    - Production company: 3 Legged Dog Films (Toronto)    - Guest expected: Director Ed Gass-Donnelly Jaloux, directed by Patrick Demers    - Production company: Productions Kinesis (Montreal)    - Guest expected: Director Patrick Demers Life With Murder, directed by John Kastner      - Production companies: JS Kastner Productions in co-production with The National Film Board      of Canada in association with CTV    - Guest expected: Director John Kastner
Conflict & Resolution    Competition	Grace, Milly, Lucy...Child Soldiers, directed by Raymonde Provencher    - Production companies: Macumba DOC inc. and National Film Board of Canada

HOT DOCS AT HIFF
HIFF has created a new, annual initiative in partnership with Hot Docs, North America's largest documentary festival based in Toronto, and the Budd Sugarman Foundation. HIFF will present documentaries that premiered at Hot Docs and is launching "Pitch-In", a program for social advocacy docs-in-progress featuring the Canadian "best pitch" winners from this year's Hot Docs. This invitation-only event intended to introduce works to potential US funders will present: The Fruit Hunters from Eyesteel Film and The House That Herman Built from Storyline Entertainment.

About Telefilm Canada
Telefilm Canada is a federal cultural agency dedicated to developing and promoting the Canadian audiovisual industry. Telefilm provides financial support to the private sector to create distinctively Canadian productions that appeal to domestic and international audiences. Telefilm also administers the Canada Media Fund's programs. Visit www.telefilm.gc.ca.

For further information:

Élise Proulx
Telefilm Canada
514-283-0838 or 1-800-567-0890, ext. 2090
[e-mail]
www.twitter.com/telefilm_canada