Telefilm Canada announces 30 Canadian companies attending Game Developers Conference
Montreal, February 28, 2011 – Telefilm Canada is pleased to announce its support of 30 Canadian companies attending the 2011 Game Developers Conference (GDC) and Game Connection America in San Francisco. Taking place February 28th to March 4th, GDC is the world’s largest industry-only event dedicated to the advancement of interactive entertainment. Game Connection America (March 1st to 3rd) is an international marketplace for game developers, service providers and publishers looking to expand their network and find business partners.
For 2011, Telefilm Canada will provide each of the 30 eligible companies with a grant of up to $1,500 to help with individual or booth registration fees, or event-related travel and accommodation expenses.
“In an increasingly competitive global context, helping Canadian game developers attend and leverage GDC is part of Telefilm’s objectives to support international sales and partnership opportunities for Canadian businesses,” said Florence Moureaux, Telefilm Canada’s Interim Director, National and International Business Development. “This initiative is part of our industry development mandate to help build a sustainable home-grown industry in today’s fast-changing interactive media marketplace.”
In addition to the grant, selected participants will also benefit from a number of on-site business development activities organized by Telefilm and its partner the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT). Activities include the popular Canada Networking Event where some 600 industry representatives will congregate. Once again Telefilm will co-host the Canada Business Lounge with DFAIT on March 1st to 3rd featuring open, semi-private and private meeting facilities for Canadians doing business at GDC.
In January Telefilm hosted a GDC orientation Webinar for Canadian participants who received market intelligence on emerging trends and business opportunities, a contact list, and other useful resources.
Testimonials from two Telefilm clients, Sarah Thomson and Neil Smolar
“Support from Telefilm for an independent developer like us is crucial to our success,” said Sarah Thomson, VP of Business Development of Vancouver-based IUGO Mobile Entertainment. “Assistance with key conventions and promotion at events has contributed to IUGO’s growth and elevated our reputation in the mobile game development market.”
“Attending GDC is central to our business development efforts,” said Neil Smolar, President and Co-founder of Montreal-based Web game developer NDi Media. “We are convinced that the Canadian program’s excellent design and implementation – from the grant, powerful consulate networking event and visibility program, to the orientation webinar and meeting support – will help ensure our success at this event.”
Canadian game developers attending GDC / Game Connection with financial support from Telefilm
| West | Ontario | Quebec | East |
| Bamboo Raven, AB | Antic Entertainment | NDi Media | Source Studio, NL |
| Exalt Studios, AB | BattleGoat Studios | Meridian4 | Bight Interactive, PE |
| Klei Entertainment, BC | Playbrains | Sarbakan | |
| Teravision Games, BC | DHX Interactive | Q8IS Mobile | |
| IUGO Mobile Entertainment, BC | Untold Entertainment | Wendigo Studios | |
| Project Whitecard, MB | Capybara Games | Frima Studio | |
| Complex Games, MB | Game Pill | Fidel (id) Innovation + Design | |
| Silicon Knights | ODD1 | ||
| Magitech Corporation | |||
| March Entertainment | |||
| zinc Roe | |||
| DrinkBox Studios | |||
| Alien Concepts |
Canadians are vying for conference awards, including:
Independent Games Festival Awards
- RETRO CITY RAMPAGE from Vancouver’s Vblank Entertainment Inc. is a finalist in the Excellence in Audio category
- FRACT from the University of Montreal is a finalist in the Student category
Game Developers Choice Awards
While there are no Canadian companies nominated, there are important nominations for two games produced in whole or in part by teams working on Canadian soil:
- Part of MASS EFFECT 2 from BioWare was produced in Montreal and is nominated in several categories: Best Game Design, Best Technology, Best Audio, Best Writing and Game of the Year.
- Produced entirely in Montreal, ASSASSIN’S CREED: BROTHERHOOD from Ubisoft Montreal is nominated for Best Visual Arts and Game of the Year.
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.
-30-
Media inquiries:
Douglas Chow
Telefilm Canada
514-283-0838 or 1-800-567-0890, ext. 2225
chowd@telefilm.ca
twitter.com/Telefilm_Canada