Telefilm Canada celebrates 10th anniversary of ImagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival

Toronto, October 14, 2009 – Telefilm Canada is delighted to celebrate its partnership with the ImagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, taking place October 14 – 18, 2009.  This year’s edition opens with “Reel Injun”, a powerful homage to North American Native people throughout a century of cinema.  It is the retelling of the history of the Hollywood Indian. Cree director Neil Diamond compares his own Northern-Canadian upbringing to the vastly different portrayals he grew up knowing and loving in the movies.

Also premiering at this year’s festival is “Kissed by Lightning”, directed by first time director Shelley Niro. Set in Canada’s Six Nations Reserve, this compelling drama tells the story of broken-hearted Mavis who is trying to   piece her life back together after the tragic death of her husband.

Both of these films have received financial support from Telefilm Canada programs: “Kissed by Lightning”, through the regional low-budget program in the Ontario & Nunavut office, while “Reel Injun” was supported through the Theatrical Documentary program.

“Telefilm Canada is delighted to partner with ImagineNATIVE for the 10th consecutive year,” stated Sheila de La Varende, Director, International and National Business Development, Telefilm Canada. “Participation in this festival provides Telefilm with a wonderful opportunity to honour the accomplishments of indigenous filmmakers and work with the industry through workshops and professional development initiatives.”

Developing and promoting the Canadian audiovisual industry
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. The Corporation also administers the funding programs of the Canada Feature Film Fund, the Canadian Television Fund and the Canada New Media Fund. Visit www.telefilm.ca.

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For additional information, please contact:

Alejandra Sosa
Communications Officer and Press Attaché, Telefilm Canada
416-973-6436, ext. 2505 or 1-800-463-4607
sosaa@telefilm.ca