Telefilm Canada is entrusted with managing five projects of the Harold Greenberg Fund’s French-language Program
In addition, a new contribution to the Talent Fund will support emerging French-language projects
October 5, 2021 – Telefilm Canada is entrusted with the administration of five audiovisual productions financed under the Harold Greenberg Fund’s French-language Program. The French-language Program, which will cease operations on December 15, 2021, will transfer close to $1.4 million to Telefilm Canada in order to ensure that the five productions will receive the investments committed by the Harold Greenberg Fund.
The Harold Greenberg Fund has also made a commitment to donate all remaining funds raised by the Fund’s French-language Program to the Talent Fund by April 30, 2022. With this new contribution, the Talent Fund will invest in the financing of new French-language audiovisual productions. This donation marks the 25th anniversary of Harold Greenberg’s death, and pays tribute to the renowned businessman and philanthropist who left his mark on the Canadian audiovisual industry.
“We welcome these productions to our funding portfolio and would like to take this opportunity to thank the Harold Greenberg Fund’s French-language Program for contributing to the development of Canadian cultural content for 25 years,” said Christa Dickenson, Executive Director and CEO of Telefilm Canada. “Telefilm has an extensive track record as an experienced fund manager. In addition to its own programs, Telefilm administers those of the Canada Media Fund, manages the Short-Term Compensation Fund, and acts as a key player in the delivery of support funds for the audiovisual industry.”
“The Harold Greenberg Fund has been an indispensable financial partner for the audiovisual industry,” said Sandi Treliving, Chair of the Talent Fund’s Advisory Committee. “We are very pleased by this donation to the Talent Fund as it will be instrumental in supporting the next generation of emerging filmmakers from across the country.”
We are proud to have been able to support no fewer than 18 French-language feature film projects during the 2020-2021 broadcast year, in which we invested nearly $4 million,” said Michel Houle, Co-chair of the Harold Greenberg Fund. “In its 25 years of existence, the French-language Program has paid out close to $55 million into more than 1,500 French-language audiovisual projects. We sincerely thank all of the contributing broadcasters who have made it possible for us to do so.”
“We have accelerated payments to complete as many projects as possible before December 15,” added Odile Méthot, President and Managing Director of the French-language Program. “We thank Telefilm Canada for agreeing to take over and follow up on the five projects for which this proved impossible, with the agreement of the producers. And we’re obviously delighted that new French-language projects will receive support from the Talent Fund, through the residual amounts that will be paid to it.”
ABOUT TELEFILM CANADA
Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial, and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry. Through its various funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations to the Department of Canadian Heritage regarding the certification of audiovisual treaty co-productions and administers Canada Media Fund programs. Launched in 2012, the Telefilm Talent Fund accepts private funds that are used primarily to support emerging talent. For more, please visit telefilm.ca. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.
ABOUT THE TALENT FUND
The Talent Fund is a private donation fund dedicated to the discovery, development and promotion of Canada’s next generation of emerging filmmakers and content creators. Guided by an advisory committee of business and community leaders, the Fund mainly supports the discovery and career progression of emerging Canadian talent in the audiovisual industry. Thanks to principal partners Bell Media and Corus Entertainment, and to several corporations, foundations and individuals, the Fund has raised $17 million to date. Visit thetalentfund.ca for more information.
ABOUT THE HAROLD GREENBERG FUND
As a Certified Independent Production Fund, the Harold Greenberg Fund is a non-profit organization that funds film and television productions. The French-language committee is composed of six board members: Michel Houle, president, Judith Brosseau, Claude Godbout, Suzane Landry, Odile Méthot and Gilles Valiquette. Since its inception in 1996, the French-language Program has contributed to the financial support of 1,544 film and television projects, for a total of $54,988,687. Over the years, the following have contributed to the Harold Greenberg Fund’s French-language Program: Canal Indigo, Astral Communications, Astral Media, Super Écran, MusiquePlus, MusiMax, MusiquePlus inc. and, most recently, Bell Media since 2014.
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MEDIA RESSOURCE PERSON
Joyce Richards
Advisor, Public Relations – English Market
Telefilm Canada
647-475-4903
joyce.richards@telefilm.ca
Odile Méthot
President and Managing Director
Harold Greenberg Fund
French-language Program
infofonds@bellmedia.ca