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Telefilm Canada promotes Canada’s film industry at the Berlin International Film Festival

14 January 2011

Montreal, January 14, 2011 – Telefilm Canada promotes Canada’s film industry at the 61st Berlinale and the European Film Market, both of which run from February 10 to 20, 2011. In 2010, Telefilm’s participation in this market helped generate 30 coproduction and co-venturing agreements worth a total of $9.2 million.

The goal of Telefilm Canada’s Berlin initiatives are to create business opportunities for the Canadian film industry in the matter of funding, international sales and exports, skills development and talent recognition. This year, several highly productive networking activities will be offered:



  • Producers Without Borders: Telefilm Canada’s partnership with the Berlinale Co-Production Market allows for more than 30 producers to access this financing forum, with the objective to build strategic relationships.


  • Berlinale Co-Production Market: The two-and-a-half-day Berlinale Co-Production Market brings together some 450 producers, sales agents, distributors, broadcasting and funing representatives from around the world who are active in coproduction. Director Sylvain Archambault’s project The Killing of Henry James, represented by Suzanne Girard (Film Filmarto/BBR), is the only Canadian project to have been selected by the Co-Production Market from among 39 projects from 25 countries. As such, this project will benefit from the Co-Production Market’s targeted networking services.


  • Canada Day at the Co-Production Market: On Sunday, February 13, Telefilm and its provincial partners will host a “Canada Lunch.” This event will provide a unique opportunity for all Canadian producers who have registered for the Co-production Market to dialogue with more than 200 producers from around the world. The lunch will be followed by an event dedicated to promoting the advantages of forging partnerships with Canadian co-producers.

Moreover, starting today, Telefilm will promote the more than 50 Canadian producers attending the Berlinale to 7500 international producers by launching the first phase of its “Canada at Berlin” microsite.

“The networking and business development opportunities that the Berlinale Co-Production Market and the European Film Market offer to Canadian film industry representatives are at the core of our mandate,” stated Sheila de La Varende, Director of National and International Business Development at Telefilm. “Canadian producers attending the Berlinale will have the opportunity to create new partnerships and conclude coproduction or distribution agreements with players from the international film industry, thereby helping to make our industry more competitive on the world stage.”


“Producers Without Borders is a fantastic initiative,” said Ina Fichman, a producer with Intuitive Pictures who took part in the first three Producers Without Borders activities. “Thanks to this initiative, I met my co-producers for Mabul, which is premiering at the Berlinale this year. The Telefilm team always organizes worthwhile networking events that help foster an environment conducive to doing business at this very popular market. I’ve been attending the Co-Production Market since 2008 and, once again this year, I’m thrilled at the prospect of having an opportunity to do business with potential buyers and co-producers who will also be attending the Market.”

 “Having already taken part in Telefilm Canada’s Producers Without Borders program,” said Damon D’Oliveira, a seasoned producer with Conquering Lion Pictures who participated in the first two editions of Producers Without Borders, “I am eager to again take advantage of available networking opportunities and to benefit from the invaluable onsite support offered to feature-film producers. We would like to forge relationships with foreign lenders and renew acquaintances with various people we met at past EFMs. In Berlin, Telefilm Canada deploys key promotional efforts for its portfolio of Canadian projects, thus allowing our films to distinguish themselves in this extremely competitive market.”

Canada at Berlin 2011 is organized and funded by Telefilm Canada in collaboration with its principal partner, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, its associate partners, British Columbia Film and Film Nova Scotia, and its contributing partner, Manitoba Film & Music.

About Telefilm Canada
Telefilm Canada is a federal cultural agency dedicated to developing and promoting the Canadian audiovisual industry. Telefilm provides financial support to the private sector to create distinctively Canadian productions that appeal to domestic and international audiences. Telefilm also administers the Canada Media Fund’s programs. Visit www.telefilm.ca.

National and International Business Development
Telefilm Canada
514-283-6363
festivals@telefilm.ca