Following the first round of decisions, Telefilm Canada announces that it will invest in 8 minority coproductions for a total of $3.45 million through its Production Program: 5 films for the English-language market and 3 films for the French-language market. 

These projects demonstrate the importance of coproductions, which allow producers in Canada and abroad to combine their creative, technical, and financial resources. Three of the funded films are animated features, highlighting the growing strength of international partnerships with Canada in the animation sector.

English-language market: 

Embers (historical drama) 
Director: Istvan Szabo 
Screenwriter: Christopher Hampton 
Production: SPF (Embers) Productions Inc. 
Distribution: Quiver Distribution 
Province: Ontario 
Language: English 
Minority co-production with Hungary 

Insectario (science fiction, fantasy, fable, animation) 
Director: Sofía Catalina Carillo Ramirez 
Screenwriter: Monika Adele Revilla Rehwoldt 
Production: Productions Ocho Inc. 
Distribution: Maison 4:3 
Province: Quebec 
Language: English 
Minority coproduction with Mexico and Spain 

LUCIA (historical drama) 
Director: Aisling Walsh 
Screenwriter: Michael Kinirons and Aisling Walsh 
Production: art et essai inc. 
Distribution: Immina Films 
Province: Quebec 
Language: English and French 
Minority coproduction with Luxembourg and Ireland 

Shitballs (science fiction, fantasy, fable) 
Director and screenwriter: Álfrún Örnólfsdóttir 
Production: Productions l’unité centrale inc. 
Distribution: Maison 4:3 
Province: Quebec 
Language: Icelandic 
Minority coproduction with Iceland 

SOMA (science fiction, fantasy, fable) 
Director: Miklos Keleti 
Screenwriter: David Mortin and Miklos Keleti 
Production: Soma-world Films Inc. 
Distribution: Game Theory Films 
Province: British Columbia 
Language: English 
Minority coproduction with Belgium and the Netherlands 

French-language market: 

Les Chiens ne font pas des chats (drama, animation) 
Director and screenwriter: Alain Gagnol 
Production: Kaïbou Production Pachamama Inc. 
Distribution: Maison 4:3 
Province: Quebec 
Language: French 
Minority coproduction with France 

Ni le jour ni la nuit (romantic comedy) 
Director and screenwriter: Monia Chokri 
Production: Metafilms Inc. 
Distribution: Immina Films 
Province: Quebec 
Language: French 
Minority coproduction with France 

Ogresse (musical comedy, animation) 
Director and screenwriter: Lia Bertels and Cécile McLorain Salvant 
Production: 9286-4883 Québec Inc. (F.A.S. L’embuscade Films) 
Distribution: STUDIO H264 
Province: Quebec 
Language: French 
Minority coproduction with France and Belgium 

A total of 18 projects were evaluated across both markets, representing more than $7 million in funding requests. Additional minority coproduction projects will be funded following the second  round of the Production Program. 

An advisory committee evaluated the projects and made recommendations to Telefilm. The decision-making process takes into account Telefilm’s objective of fostering a diversity of voices in the industry, by ensuring the funding of a balanced portfolio of productions that reflects a variety of genres, budgets and company sizes, regions of the country, and perspectives. The names of the selection committee members will be published on the Advisory Committees for Project Funding Applications page once all funding decisions have been made. 

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About Telefilm Canada  

Founded in 1967, Telefilm Canada is a Crown corporation that invests in the development, production, promotion and distribution of the Canadian and Indigenous audiovisual industry. As the largest investor in Canadian cinema, Telefilm supports the economic power and cultural impact of the audiovisual sector in collaboration with industry players. Additionally, Telefilm provides recommendations to the Department of Canadian Heritage regarding the certification of treaty-based audiovisual co-productions, and administers programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Letterboxd.   

Media contact   
Joyce Richards    
Advisor, Strategic Communications   
Telefilm Canada    
Joyce.Richards@telefilm.ca