First ever Canadian project supported by the Council of Europe’s cinema fund
Canada-Switzerland coproduction 1999 from the Montreal-based production company Parabola Films selected
Montreal, July 18, 2017 – As announced by Eurimages, the council of Europe’s fund for co-production, distribution and exhibition of European cinema, the Canadian-majority coproduction 1999 was selected for financing, making the documentary the first ever Canadian project to be selected by the Fund.
After strong competition this cycle, out of the 60 projects submitted, 27 were selected for financing. The Canadian project was the only documentary.
“It was an especially proud moment for me when Canada joined the Council of Europe’s cultural fund as the first non-European country this past March,” said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director, Telefilm Canada. “Membership reinforces Canada as a coproduction partner of choice, as well as opens an important new source of financing for our industry. On behalf of everyone at Telefilm Canada, I warmly congratulate filmmaker Samara Chadwick and the entire team behind the production. This is quite an honour!”
Added Marie-Linda Lord, Member of the Board, Telefilm Canada, New Brunswick: “Hometown success, and seeing our stories on the big screen, is essential as it inspires other Maritime filmmakers to reach for the stars. I am quite thrilled to see a local filmmaker achieve international recognition such as this.”
For producers Selin Murat and Sarah Spring, this was an important moment for Canadian films: “Parabola Films has been participating in festivals and industry markets all over Europe for a few years now. Being able to access the Eurimages fund cements our belief that the future of filmmaking is in coproduction partnerships and cross-cultural collaborations. We’re thrilled that this intimate story we’ve nurtured with Samara Chadwick for several years now gets to be the big film it deserves. Thank you so much to Carolle Brabant and everyone at Telefilm Canada for all of your hard work to make this happen.”
Filmmaker Samara Chadwick added: “This film, and the entire process of making it, is aglow with the courage and love of the Acadian community; thank you to Eurimages for helping us project this brightness outwards to wider audiences. We really look forward to sharing this film with you.”
About the film
Directed by first-time filmmaker Samara Chadwick, and co-produced by Parabola Films, Beauvoir Films (Switzerland), and the National Film Board of Canada, the documentary was shot entirely in Chadwick’s hometown of Moncton, NB, and is told in Acadian Chiac French and English.
About Eurimages
Announced last March, Canada is the 38th member country of the Eurimages – European Cinema Support Fund and the first non-European member country. This program, through the Council of Europe, aims to support the coproduction of cinematographic works between member countries. The agreement improves access to international funding and helps to export our cinema.
There are four Eurimages financing cycles per year; the next application deadline is August 24, 2017.
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:
Andrea Archibald, Deputy Director, Communications, Telefilm Canada
(514) 283-0838 ext. 2047 or 1-800-567-0890
andrea.archibald@telefilm.ca