More than half of the 19 documentaries receiving funding will be produced, directed or written by women
Montréal, December 22, 2017—Telefilm Canada, in partnership with the Rogers Group of Funds, is pleased to announce the 19 English- and French-language feature-length documentaries that are receiving funding through the Theatrical Documentary Program, for a total investment of nearly $2.3 million.
“This year again the selected projects show great promise, and we are delighted to see women playing prominent roles,” said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada. “Indeed, the women on the teams for these films include 12 directors, 12 writers and 13 producers, which augurs very well for our gender parity goal. Furthermore, the quality of the projects is a good indication of the success stories to come.”
Robin Mirsky, Executive Director, Rogers Group of Funds, added: “As always, we were incredibly impressed with the quality of projects received. It’s a testament to the talent that exists among our documentary filmmaking community in Canada. Rogers is proud to be a significant financial support for this vital industry.”
Increased investment in support of diversity
In May 2017, Telefilm Canada more than doubled its investment in the program. This new money targeted projects directed, written, and/or produced by women, as part of Telefilm’s objective to achieve a balanced production portfolio by 2020.
English-language projects:
Assholes: A Theory
Writer/Director: John Walker
Production: John Walker Productions
Distribution: National Film Board of Canada
Billy
Directors: Aisling Chin-Yee and Lindsey Dryden
Writer: Lindsey Dryden
Production: Parabola Films
Distribution: Les Films du 3 Mars
The Corporate Coup d’État
Writer/Director: Fred Peabody
Production and distribution: White Pine Pictures
Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind
Director: Joan Tosoni
Writer: Martha Kehoe
Production: Insight Production Company
Grand Prairie
Writer/Director: Evan Prosofsky
Production: Grand Prairie Film
Distribution: Raven Banner
Hispaniola
Writer/Director: Michele Stephenson
Production: Hispaniola Productions
Distribution: National Film Board of Canada
Illusions of Control
Writer/Director: Shannon Walsh
Production: What Escapes Production
Distribution: Cinema Politica
Propaganda: The Art of Selling Lies
Director: Larry Weinstein
Writer: David Mortin
Production: Hawkeye Pictures
Distribution: D Films
Smitten By Giraffes: The Anne Innis Dagg Adventure
Writer/Director: Alison Reid
Production: Pursuing Giraffes Adventures
Distribution: Kinosmith
This is Not a Movie
Writer/Director: Yung Chang
Production: TINAM
Distribution: Blue Ice Docs
French-language projects:
Archipel
Writer/Director: Félix Dufour-Laperrière
Production: L’Embuscade Films
Distribution: La Distributrice de films
En attendant Raïf
Writer/Director: Patricio Henriquez
Production: Macumba Média II
Distribution: National Film Board of Canada
Boat People : Le retour
Director: Marie-Hélène Panisset
Writer: Thi Be Nguyen
Production: Les Films de l’Hydre
Distribution: UniActions Films
Les damnés
Director: Mathieu Roy
Writer: Suzie Bouchard
Production: E2F Film 1
Distribution: Funfilm
Misogynie 2.0
Director: Guylaine Maroist
Writer: Léa Clermont-Dion
Production: Productions de la Ruelle
Distribution: Distribution de la Ruelle
Mon cri saura parler
Writer/Director: Santiago Bertolino
Production: Studio Via le Monde
Distribution: Les Films du 3 Mars
Le petit Tom
Writer/Director: André-Line Beauparlant
Production: COOP Vidéo de Montreal
Distribution: Atelier Distribution
Prisons sans barreaux
Writer/Directors: Nicole Giguère and Isabelle Hayeur
Production: Productions Triangle
Distribution: Spira
Ziva Postec
Writer/Director: Catherine Hébert
Production: Camera Oscura
Distribution: Les Films du 3 Mars
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.
About the Rogers Group of Funds
In 1980, Rogers launched its first fund to support Canada’s independent producers. Since then, more than $530 million has been committed to over 2000 television and feature film projects through four different funding programs, all designed to meet the needs of Canada’s independent production community.
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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