Telefilm Canada announces first-ever finalists of its Micro-Budget Production Program

MONTREAL, Feb. 28, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Telefilm Canada is pleased to announce the inaugural finalists of its Micro-Budget Production Program - eight promising creators among today's emerging filmmakers across Canada.

This new program, which was launched in June 2012 with a budget of $1 million, is intended to support new filmmakers seeking to produce their first feature-length films, with special emphasis on digital-media production and marketing methods. Candidates for this year's program were recommended to Telefilm through a network of 25 partners from all regions of the country.

The Program's finalists will be featured at the Regard sur le court au Saguenay short film festival (March 13-17), where a special program will present a selection of shorts from their earlier work.

"Congratulations to all the finalists in this first year of the Program, and many thanks to the members of our network of partners who were able to spot these new artists in their regions," said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada. "With more and more Canadians watching videos online, Telefilm is particularly proud to support emerging filmmakers in producing a first feature by leveraging innovative production techniques and multiplatform distribution strategies. Supporting new talent and developing new partnerships are important objectives for Telefilm, and the Micro-Budget Production Program makes this possible."

The finalists

Crawlspace, by Christian Sparkes (director), Allison White and Chris Agoston (producers)
Partner: Nova Scotia College of Art & Design (NSCAD) University

Down in the Valley, by Kyle Thomas (writer, director, producer) and Cameron MacGowan (producer)
Partner: Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers (CSIF)

The Editor, by Matthew Kennedy and Adam Brooks (directors and producers)
Partner: University of British Columbia (UBC) Film Production Program

The Next Morning, by Matt Sadowski (writer, director, producer) and Peter Harvey (producer)
Partner: National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

The Secret Trial 5, by Amar Wala (director, producer) and Noah Bingham (producer)
Partner: York University

Two4One, by Maureen Bradley (writer, director)
Partner: Creative Women Workshops Association

Un film de chasse de filles, by Julie Lambert (writer, director, producer), Sonia Despars and Marc Biron (producers)
Partner: Spirafilm

What We Have, by Maxime Desmons (director, producer) and Sally Karam (producer)
Partner: Canadian Film Centre (CFC)

The selection process
To determine the finalists, a selection jury reviewed 24 preselected projects recommended by Telefilm's network of partners - recognized educational and training institutions whose film production programs provide a privileged lookout to spot emerging talent in their respective regions. The producer of the project must be a student or recent alumnus from one of these partners' production programs or an active member of a film cooperative that is part of the network.

The jury was made up of Regional Feature Film Executives at Telefilm, headed by Stephanie Azam, Telefilm's National Feature Film Executive - English Market, and Marie-France Godbout, National Feature Film Executive - French Market, and by Montreal film director, programmer and inventor Vincent Morisset in the capacity of external expert. Among his many projects, Morisset has worked with the rock band Arcade Fire, for whom he directed an interactive video for Neon Bible, considered to be the first-ever interactive video clip, and a documentary on the group entitled MIROIR NOIR (Black Mirror). He is also the founder of the AATOAA Studio.

Program finalists to be featured at Saguenay short film festival
In order for a film project to be eligible for the Micro-Budget Production Program, its producer must have produced or directed at least one short film. As a result, the Regard sur le court au Saguenay short film festival has decided to help Telefilm spotlight this year's Micro-Budget Program finalists and their talents in a special program of short films they have produced in the past.

"Because we believe that the short is crucial in the careers of many filmmakers and a fortiori for the dynamic creative film community itself, we are very proud to partner with Telefilm Canada in showcasing the work of the Micro-Budget Production Program finalists," says Ian Gailer, Festival Director of the REGARD sur le court.

About the Micro-Budget Production Program
The Micro-Budget Production Program targets emerging talent in Canada's audiovisual industry and will support them in the production and release of a first feature-length film, with an emphasis on digital platforms and their potential for wide distribution and audience involvement.

Telefilm will contribute a maximum of $120,000 in funding per project. Finalists must use this contribution to produce, distribute and promote a feature-length film for release to the general public within 15 months of signature of the Telefilm contract, via one or more distribution platforms, with special emphasis on digital media.

This year, Technicolor Canada will participate in the program as exclusive partner in post-production services. The company will offer a sponsorship valued at $15,000 to finalists who choose Technicolor to provide post-production services for their feature-length film.

For more information about the program, please visit http://www.telefilm.ca/en/funds-and-programs/micro-budget-production-program.

About Telefilm Canada
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 administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit www.telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

SOURCE: TELEFILM CANADA

Media inquiries
Douglas Chow, Manager, External Communications
[phone], extension 2225, or 1-800-567-0890
[email protected]