Telefilm Canada funds three big-budget feature films in the English market  

Telefilm Canada concludes the second and final round of decisions for the big-budget stream with three feature-length films from the English market, totaling $5 million.  

A Year Without Sun (thriller) 
Director: Leo Scherman 
Screenwriters: Jillian Locke and Matthew Booi 
Production: Eagle Vision Inc. and Plausible Communications Corporation  
Distribution: Mongrel Media 
Province: Manitoba  
Language: English 

Mother Courage (drama)   
Director: Cody Fern   
Screenwriter: Devon Bostick  
Production: Metafilms Inc. and Easy Tiger  
Distribution: Elevation Pictures  
Province: Quebec  
Language: English  
*Canada/Australia coproduction  

Yesterday Will Come (drama)   
Director and screenwriter: Alireza Khatami  
Production: Band With Pictures Film Inc., AUDIOVISUAL DON QUIJOTE FILM LTDA. and Film Forge  
Distribution: Mongrel Media  
Province: Ontario and Quebec  
Language: English, Spanish and Farsi  
*Canada/Chile coproduction

During this second round, Telefilm received and evaluated 32 projects representing more than $59 million in funding requests. The submitted projects were reviewed by an advisory committee, and Telefilm met with all the shortlisted teams.   

Over the two rounds of decisions, with the first round announced in May, Telefilm funded 15 big-budget film projects totaling over $30 million. The selection of projects from these two rounds is aligned with our strategic priorities and highlights diversity in terms of regions, genres, languages, and global distribution.   

Of these 15 film projects: 

• 10 are Canadian international coproductions  
• Nearly 50% of funded projects are from the Western and Atlantic regions 
• More than 40% of the funds were allocated to five female directors  

Statistics on all films funded in the year will be published in the 2025–26 Annual Report.  

An advisory committee composed of external and internal representatives has evaluated the projects and made its recommendations. The decision-making process is designed to ensure that Telefilm funds a balanced production portfolio reflecting a variety of genres, budgets, company sizes, regions of the country, and perspectives. A list of the selection committee members will be posted on Telefilm’s Project Financing Advisory Committees page once all funding decisions have been made.  

About Telefilm Canada      

As a Partner of Choice, Telefilm Canada is a Crown corporation dedicated to the success of Canada’s audiovisual industry, fostering access and excellence by delivering programs that support cultural resonance and audience engagement. With a lens of equity, inclusivity and sustainability, Telefilm bolsters dynamic companies and a range of creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual coproduction treaties to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2012, the Talent Fund raises private donations which principally support emerging talent.  

Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on LinkedIn,  X, Facebook,  Instagram and Letterboxd.       

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For media-related inquiries: 

Joyce Richards   
Advisor, Strategic Communications
Joyce.Richards@telefilm.ca