All eyes on Canada at the Berlin International Film Festival
“Country in Focus” at the European Film Market (EFM)
17 Canadian films to be screened at the Berlinale
Montréal, February 13, 2018 – Proud of the 17 Canadian films in the line-up at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, and honoured by its selection as the Country in Focus at the European Film Market (February 15-23), Canada plans to take full advantage of the Berlinale to showcase Canadian talent in all its forms, from new business strategies to technologies that are revolutionizing the audiovisual industry. Furthermore, Telefilm Canada is pleased to note that more than 40 Canadian creative talents will attend the Berlinale to represent the Canadian films selected at the festival.
“The Canadian selection is a wonderful opportunity to discover new stories, to experience a myriad of emotions, and to immerse moviegoers in the many sources of inspiration of people steeped in a history of storytelling,” said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada. “Our immense talent pool filled with diverse voices that illustrate both unique and universally compelling experiences; our technological audacity; our efforts to make Canadian content accessible on as many platforms as possible; our participation in productive international gatherings that give rise to investments and coproductions—all this makes up the high-powered engine that propels Canadian success.”
Canadian selection: 17 films
Canadian diversity will be showcased in films by emerging (Fake Tattoos) and Indigenous (Three Thousand, Nuuca) filmmakers, and by the many coproductions and award-winning filmmakers present at the festival. Also at the festival are documentaries: What Walaa Wants (Christy Garland), First Stripes(Jean-François Caissy), the world premiere of Interchange (Brian M. Cassidy, Melanie Shatzky), and the European premiere of The Green Fog (Guy Maddin, Evan and Galen Johnson).
Let’s Change with Blockchain! (EFM Horizon)
February 19, 2-6 p.m. @ Berliner Freiheit
Blockchain is evolving into one of the most important technological revolutions, with major economic and societal impacts. As part of this workshop, Telefilm Canada aims to kick-start discussions on the notions of fairness, reliability, transparency and efficiency, and explore solutions to certain issues in the media and creative industries. Through its decentralized structure, blockchain can bring new inclusive approaches representing diversity of genres and origins.
A sensory experience signed Dear Criminals
February 18
During the EFM reception, Canada will host a unique and memorable evening that will engage people in a sensory experience that integrates complex imaging created in real-time 3D stereoscopy and the musical energy of Dear Criminals. Dear Criminals will also perform at the Audi Berlinale Lounge on Monday, February 19 (8 p.m.).
Virtual Reality
February 17 and 18, 11 a.m. @ VR Cinema at Marriott Hotel
Telefilm Canada, Phi Center, and imagineNATIVE are proud to present a selection of Canada’s top VR films of 2017, including works by Félix & Paul. People will dive into an immersive experience that showcases Canadian technological ingenuity.
Canadian content on iTunes Germany
www.itunes.com/rendezvouskanada
German audiences can now discover the best in Canadian filmmaking all in one place – Rendezvous Kanada – a promotional boutique available on iTunes. As the Country in Focus at the 2018 European Film Market, the business epicentre of the Berlinale, Canada is proud to bring a curated collection of films to Germans, all across the country. The collection includes Canadian films selected at past Berlinale editions, cinema from Indigenous creators, internationally acclaimed stories and box-office hits. The titles featured range from legendary Canadian filmmakers to new cuts from emerging Canadian talent. Telefilm Canada is proud to offer this boutique and would like to thank its partners; Apple, Canadian distributors and the National Film Board.
RDVCANADA.CA
Check out RDVCANADA.CA, a brand-new information source about the Canadian audiovisual industry, available on all platforms 24/7. RDVCANADA.CA is being launched for the Berlinale.
About Telefilm Canada—Inspired by talent. Viewed everywhere.
Celebrating 50 years in 2017, Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry. Through funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual treaty coproductions to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2013, the Talent Fund accepts private donations to principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.
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Media enquiries:
Andréane Leblanc
Advisor, Public Relations – French Market
Telefilm Canada
514-283-0838, ext. 2065 or 1 800 567-0890
andreane.leblanc@telefilm.ca
Wellington Love (press attaché in Berlin)
wellingtonlove@15minutespr.com
