TELEFILM CANADA SALUTES CANADIAN CONTINGENT AT CANNES Six Canadian productions selected for world-famous film event

Montréal, April 24, 2009 – Telefilm Canada proudly salutes the presence of Canadian cinema at Cannes this year. The spotlight will be on no less than six Canadian productions, including four in the prestigious Directors’ Fortnight: Amreeka by Cherien Dabis, Carcasses by Denis Côté, J’ai tué ma mère by Xavier Dolan and Polytechnique by Denis Villeneuve.

Along with these four features, Canada will be represented by The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,a UK-Canada co-production directed by Terry Gilliam, chosen for the Official Selection, Out of Competition section, of the 62nd annual Cannes Festival, taking place May 13-24, 2009. In addition, the animated short Runaway, by Cordell Barker, has been selected for the International Critics’ Week.

“Canadian cinema continues to stand out for its quality and excellence. The fact that four Canadian productions have been selected for the Directors’ Fortnight testifies to the ongoing vigour of Canada’s filmmaking talent, and we are very proud,” said Michel Roy, Chair of the Telefilm Canada Board.

Official Selection – Out of Competition
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (UK/Canada), directed by Terry Gilliam; production Poo Poo Pictures Productions ( UK), Parnassus Productions (Canada); world sales Mandate International.

Directors’ Fortnight
Amreeka (United States/Canada/Kuwait), directed by Cherien Dabis; production First Generation Films (Canada), Alcina Pictures (Canada), Buffalo Gal Pictures (Canada), EVMG (Kuwait); world sales E1 Entertainment.

Carcasses, directed by Denis Côté; production nihilproductions; world sales FunFilm Distribution.

J’ai tué ma mère, directed by Xavier Dolan; production Mifilifilms.

Polytechnique, directed by Denis Villeneuve; production Remstar, Don Carmody Productions; world sales Wild Bunch.

International Critics’ Week
Runaway, directed by Cordell Barker; production and world sales National Film Board of Canada.

Telefilm Canada helps the Canadian film industry grow
Building on the success of the Perspective Canada initiative over the past three years, Telefilm Canada is returning with a selection of 11 Canadian films for screening at the Cannes Film Market. The screenings will raise the profile of these recent works by Canadian filmmakers and enhance their chances for sales on the world market by bringing them to the attention of international buyers.

• Carcasses, directed by Denis Côté; production nihilproductions; world sales FunFilm Distribution.
• Crackie, directed by Sherry White; production Streely Maid Films, Kickham East Productions; world sales Kickham East Productions.
• The Deserter (Le Déserteur), directed by Simon Lavoie; production Films du Boulevard; world sales TVA Films.
• Sticky Fingers (Les Doigts croches), (Canada/Argentina/France), directed by Ken Scott; production Caramel Films (Canada), Melenny Productions (Canada), Area 24 Films (Argentina), Pan-Européenne (France); world sales Remstar.
• High Life, directed by Gary Burns; production Triptych Media, Buffalo Gal Pictures; world sales Shoreline Entertainment.
• I Killed My Mother (J’ai tué ma mère), directed by Xavier Dolan; production Mifilifilms.
• The Master Key (Grande Ourse : La clé des possibles), directed by Patrice Sauvé; production Point de mire; world sales E1 Entertainment.
• Polytechnique, directed by Denis Villeneuve; production Remstar, Don Carmody Productions; world sales Wild Bunch.
• A Shine of Rainbows, directed by Vic Sarin; production Sepia Films (Canada) and Octagon Films (Irland); world sales E1 Entertainment.
• Sogokuru, directed by Roger Cantin; production Productions La Fête; world sales Delphis Films.
  
• Victoria Day, directed by David Bezmozgis; production Markham Street Films; world sales E1 Entertainment.

Canada Pavilion

This promises to be an outstanding year at the Canada Pavilion. A total of 57 companies have chosen to operate under the Canada banner, and there will be three networking events designed to foster business relations with the United States, Great Britain and Germany. In addition, to promote Canada as a partner of choice for other countries, Telefilm Canada has developed an Internet micro-site that will go online as the Cannes Festival opens. All foreign producers invited to the Canada Pavilion networking events will receive a USB key providing direct access to the micro-site, which promotes official coproduction, co‑ventures and production services with Canada.

The Canada Pavilion is an initiative of Telefilm Canada in partnership with:

Principal Partners
British Columbia Film
Ontario Media Development Corporation  

Major Partner
Manitoba Film and Music

Associate Partners
Alberta Film
Film Nova Scotia
Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation
SaskFilm and Video Development Corporation
Canadian Film and Television Production Association  

Silver Sponsor
National Bank of Canada

Producers’ Network Activities

For the sixth year running, Telefilm is partnering with SODEC for the Film Market’s Producers’ Network forum, which will spotlight Canada on May 18. The two agencies will officially introduce ten Francophone and Anglophone producers, and a speed-dating session is planned for all Francophone producers registered for the Producers’ Network.

Also onFocus on Canada Day, the Canada Pavilion, in partnership with the Producers’ Network and in collaboration with Strategic Partners, will host a networking event for Canadian and European producers at the International Village.  

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 Canadian Feature Film Fund, the Canadian Television Fund and the Canada New Media Fund. To learn more about Telefilm Canada, watch the complete webcast of the Corporation’s first annual public meeting, held April 8, 2009, at www.telefilm.ca

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Media enquiries:

In Montréal
Élise Proulx
elise.proulx@videotron.ca
(450) 732-0788

In Cannes:
Canada Pavilion #125
Village international
Tel.: 33 (0) 4 92 59 02 37
Fax: 33 (0) 4 92 59 02 38