Canadians to cooperate

Telefilm Canada, CBC to co-finance movies

By BRENDAN KELLY

MONTREAL -- Film funder Telefilm Canada and CBC announced Thursday that they are teaming up to co-finance domestic films that will preem in cinemas and then play very soon afterward on the pubcaster's primetime Sunday-night movie slot.

For years, many in the Canadian film industry have been saying the country's broadcasters in the have to get more involved in financing and promoting homegrown films and this is a first major step in that direction.

The plan is that CBC will contribute to the development and production of up to four features annually, and CBC and Telefilm will work with independent producers and distributors to develop the pics. One of the key concepts is that they will shorten the length between the theatrical release and the broadcast in order to allow the network to take advantage of the promotion around the theatrical launch.

"The idea is to play them when they're still fresh in people's minds," said CBC spokesman Jeff Keay.

Many English-Canadian films in recent years have focuses on fairly dark, disturbing themes but those won't be the kind of films financed in this joint CBC-Telefilm program.

"The films will be ones that are suitable for our Sunday night slot, so more family fare," Keay said.

CBC will, in addition, continue to acquire around 10 Canadian films annually.

“The films will be ones that are suitable for our Sunday night slot, so more family fare,” Keay said.

CBC will, in addition, continue to acquire around 10 Canadian films annually.