Corus Entertainment and Telefilm Canada Announce First Theatrical Production from the Family Feature Production Fund

Principal photography wraps on Operation Insanity starring James Caan, Dylan Everett, Lou Gossett Jr., Kenneth Welsh, Paul Sorvino and Jessica Walter

TORONTO, Oct. 29, 2015 /CNW/ - Corus Entertainment and Telefilm Canada announced today that principal photography has wrapped on the first theatrical production selected from the Family Feature Production Fund. The Family Feature Fund was launched with the goal to increase production of Canadian-English language live-action family movies. Slated for release in 2016, Operation Insanity (working title) is a comedy feature produced by CCI Entertainment Ltd. and stars Academy Award® Golden Globe® and Primetime Emmy® nominee, James Caan (The Godfather, Misery, Las Vegas, Dogville) and newcomer Dylan Everett (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Wingin' It, The Unauthorized Saved By The Bell Story).

Directed by Erik Canuel (Bon Cop, Bad Cop, 19-2, Flashpoint), Operation Insanity is about a shy, 17-year-old boy (Dylan Everett) who teams up with his "senile" grandpa, played by James Caan, and his war veteran crew to save the girl of his dreams.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Telefilm on the first project from our Family Feature Production Fund slate of movies," said Colin Bohm, Executive Vice President, Head of Corus Kids. "CCI has done a terrific job of delivering a compelling script and a stellar cast. This first film is a great start to broadening our content ownership."

Michel Pradier, Telefilm's Director of Project Financing, added: "Considering that younger Canadians are the heaviest consumers of films in the country, this public-private partnership with Corus Entertainment is an exciting collaboration that brings together resources in order to better achieve theatrical success of family films."

Operation Insanity also features a stellar supporting ensemble cast which includes  Academy Award®, Golden Globe® and Primetime Emmy® winner Lou Gossett Jr. (The Book of Negroes, Boardwalk Empire, An Officer and a Gentleman, A Raisin in the Sun), Kenneth Welsh (The Day After Tomorrow, The Aviator, The Last Exorcism of Emily Rose), Golden Globe®, Primetime Emmy® and SAG® nominee Jessica Walter (Archer, Arrested Development, Play Misty for Me), SAG® nominee Paul Sorvino (Nixon, The Cooler, Goodfellas, The Godfather), Lawrence Dane (Bride of Chucky, Scanners, Deliverance) and Greta Oneiogo (Heroes Reborn, Heartland). 

"Operation Insanity may well be the biggest family feature to come out of Canada. We have an outstanding international cast who will bring their vitality and talent to this timeless story of generational bonding brought to life in an inventive, adventurous and hilarious new way," said Producer Arnie Zipursky. "We are elated to be the first feature selected as part of the Corus/Telefilm Fund. CCI has appreciated the creative collaboration with Corus over these many years."

Based on a screenplay written by Jeffrey Alan Schechter (Overruled!, Strange Days at Blake Holsey High), Operation Insanity is produced by Arnie Zipursky (Iron Road, Anything But Christmas, The Ride), and Ronald J. Gilbert (The Moth Diaries, Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story, the Long Hot Summer). Zipursky will also serve as Executive Producer with CCI's Charles Falzon, along with Jeff Sackman (Forsaken, Backcountry, The Art of the Steal) of TAJJ Media and Noah Segal (Dr. Cabbie, Our Man in Tehran, The Art of the Steal) of Elevation Pictures. Principal photography runs from September 24 through November 2 in the Toronto area.

Operation Insanity will be distributed theatrically in Canada by Elevation Pictures. "We are excited to work with Corus Entertainment and CCI Entertainment on this project," said Noah Segal, Co-President of Elevation Pictures "Hot off the heels of our success with Shaun the Sheep: The Movie, we look forward to adding this fantastic family film to our diverse release slate." 

The Family Feature Production Fund contributes financing for up to two English-language theatrical family feature films each year, including international treaty co-productions. The initiative is open to Canadian feature film producers from across the country with a fully developed film script and a comprehensive plan for market viability. Corus and Telefilm jointly evaluate eligible applications, and once selections have been made a portion of the film's budget will be supported by the two organizations. Selected projects will receive financial investment from Corus Entertainment as well as broadcast commitment and marketing support from its portfolio of family and film networks including Movie Central, W Movies, YTV, TELETOON, Disney Channel, ABC Spark and CMT.

About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian-based integrated media and content company that creates, broadcasts, licenses and delivers content across a variety of platforms for audiences around the world. The company's portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children's book publishing, children's animation, animation software, and technology and media services. Corus' 30 television brands include ABC Spark, Cartoon Network (Canada), CMT (Canada), Disney Channel (Canada), HBO Canada, Movie Central, Nickelodeon (Canada), OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), Telelatino, TELETOON, Treehouse, W Network, YTV, Historia, La chaîne Disney, Séries+ and TÉLÉTOON. Its 39 radio brands include CKNW AM 980, Rock 101, Country 105, 630 CHED, Fresh Radio, JUMP! 106.9, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. The company also owns Nelvana, an internationally renowned animation production company, Kids Can Press, Toon Boom and Quay Media Services. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B). Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.

About Telefilm Canada—Inspired by talent. Viewed everywhere.
Created in 1967, Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada's audiovisual industry. Through its various funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual treaty coproductions to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund and the Talent Fund, a private donation initiative. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

About CCI Entertainment
CCI has over 30 years as one of Canada's leading independent production and distribution companies; CCI is a developer, packager and executive producer of quality entertainment -- the team is made up of strategic thinkers, award winning creative talent and experienced brand managers. Notable credits include the critically acclaimed film The Ride, award-winning Iron Road and Anything But Christmas. CCI is currently in production on the feature length Sled Dogs for Documentary Channel and 15 TV episode of Real Houses Of… for W Network Canada. CCI's feature film development slate boasts: 57 Hours – a hostage drama based on a real life event to be directed by Clark Johnson, Takin' Care of Business -- a road-comedy with a record-setting live event, produced with Randy Bachman and Gilles Paquin, The Palm Effect – a feature documentary directed by Fern Levitt that is a co-production with Brazil and Superchannel, and Someone Else's Wedding -- a romantic comedy written and directed by Pat Kiely.

About Elevation Pictures
Founded in 2013, with finance partner Teddy Schwarzman of Black Bear Pictures, Elevation Pictures has already established itself as one of Canada's leading film and television distribution companies. Elevation's team of seasoned production and distribution executives, including co-presidents Laurie May and Noah Segal, are committed to bringing a robust film and television slate to audiences with both commercial and critical appeal. For more information, visit elevationpictures.com 

SOURCE Corus Entertainment Inc.

Media contact: Cynthia Amsden, 416 910 7740, [email protected]; For Corus Entertainment media enquiries, please contact: Netta Rondinelli, Manager, Communications, Television & Content, 416.479.6443, [email protected]; For Telefilm Canada media enquiries, please contact: Douglas Chow, Head, Public Relations, [phone] ext. 2548 or 1-800-463-4607, [email protected]