Telefilm Canada invests $4.7M in 11 new Indigenous productions
This investment supports both established and emerging Indigenous talent from across the country, with seven projects led by women
Montreal, August 8, 2017 – Telefilm Canada finances 11 new Indigenous feature films in 2017-18 for a total of $4.7M. This follows the announcement that Telefilm had increased the production and marketing financing available to Indigenous talent, made last February.
The support provided through the Production Program’s Indigenous stream exceeds the original commitment of $4.2 million.
“Telefilm Canada is a longstanding supporter of Indigenous creative talents and we are privileged to have the ongoing support of the community to move forward on other important initiatives,” says Carolle Brabant, Executive Director, Telefilm Canada. “This new slate of projects allows more creators to share their unique and rich perspective. I am happy to see a strong female presence as well as great regional representation, two objectives we have set out to achieve throughout our entire financing portfolio.”
Once again, Telefilm gives Canadian talent from coast-to-coast-to-coast the opportunity to be discovered and to create stories that reach audiences everywhere.
Among the 11 selected projects, two are former recipients of Telefilm’s Talent Fund-supported Micro-Budget Production Program: Benjamin Ross Hayden (The Northlander) and Sonia Bonspille-Boileau (Le Dep). Award-winning Inuit actress Lucy Tulugarjuk (Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner, Maliglutit) directs her first feature film, Ababa and Pingua produced by renowned documentarist Marie-Hélène Cousineau. Marie Clement of British Columbia directs her first narrative feature.
The 11 projects greenlight by Telefilm Canada
Edge of the Knife, Drama, BC
Director: Gwaai Edenshaw
Writer: Jaalan Edenshaw
Producer: Jonathan Frantz
Red Snow, Drama, BC
Director: Marie Clements
Writer: Marie Clements
Producer: Marie Clements (Lael McCall, Michelle Morris)
Red Eye, Science-Fiction/Fantasy, AB
Director: Benjamin Ross Hayden
Writer: Benjamin Ross Hayden
Producers: Carolyn McMaster, Wendy Hill-Tout, Rene Collins
Stay, Drama, BC
Director: Elle-Maija Tailfeathers
Writer: Elle-Maija Tailfeathers
Producer: Tyler Hagan
Corruption of Divine Providence, Drama, MB
Director: Jeremy Torrie
Writer: Jeremy Torrie
Producer: Tanya Brunel
Rustic Oracle, Drama, QC
Director: Sonia Bonspille-Boileau
Writer: Sonia Bonspille-Boileau
Producer: Jason Brennan
Sedna, “Empress of the Sea”, Animation, QC
Director: Jerry Thevenet
Writer: Jerry Thevenet
Producer: Jerry Thevenet
Rebirth 8:37, Drama, NS
Director: Juanita Peters
Writer: Joe Leclair
Producer: Hank White
Ababa and Pingua, Action/Adventure, NV
Director: Lucy Tulugarjuk
Writer: Lucy Tulugarjuk
Producer: Marie-Hélène Cousineau
Leaves Fall Around Her, Thriller, ON
Director: Darlene Naponse
Writer: Darlene Naponse
Producer: Darlene Naponse
The Incredible 25th Year of Mitzi Bearclaw, Comedy, ON
Director: Shelley Niro
Writer: Shelley Niro
Producer: Shelley Niro
-30-
About Telefilm Canada — Inspired by Talent. Viewed Everywhere.
Celebrating 50 years in 2017, Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of the Canadian 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 collects private donations to principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/telefilmcanada/.
Media Enquiries:
Andrea Archibald, Deputy Director, Communications, Telefilm Canada
514-283-0838, ext. 2047 or 1-800-567-0890
andrea.archibald@telefilm.ca