Telefilm Canada set to launch Not Short on Talent, a new initiative, at Cannes Film Market

Montreal, May 3, 2011 – Telefilm Canada is pleased to announce that the 6th annual Perspective Canada screenings at the Cannes Film Market will include a brand new initiative entitled Not Short on Talent. The program of 15 Canadian short films has been selected by internationally renowned short film programmer Danny Lennon. In addition to these latest shorts by emerging talent from all regions, Telefilm’s line-up of Market screenings includes seven Canadian features.

“The Not Short on Talent program builds on Perspective Canada’s purpose, which is to promote the diversity and quality of Canadian films and to increase their sales and visibility on the international market,” said Florence Moureaux, Acting Director, National and International Business Development at Telefilm Canada. “Not Short on Talent will showcase Canadian directors to festival programmers and buyers, helping to position them on the world stage in early career.”

Danny Lennon added: “I’m delighted to be part of this Telefilm Canada initiative. It’s amazing to see such a strong new wave of Canadian filmmaking!”

Not Short on Talent: a brand new program

The short fiction and animation films selected by Danny Lennon will be shown at a Film Market screening. Lennon, who created the Prends ça court! series, has been programming short film events for 11 years and is recognized internationally as a reference on the festival circuit, including Cannes. The selected films represent the broad diversity of talent in Canada, with directors from across the country. All of them except Opasatica will be showing in their world or international premiere. Not Short on Talent premieres at the Lerins 1 Theatre on May 16.

The Not Short on Talent program

• Ce n’est rien by Nicolas Roy (Quebec), produced by Voyous Films – In competition, Official Selection, Cannes 2011
• Déboires by Délia Gunn (Quebec Algonquin community), produced by Wapikoni Mobile
• L’Arbre au cœur qui bat by Alexandre Desjardins (Quebec), produced by École des médias, UQAM
• Muybridge’s Strings by Koji Yamamura (Canada, Japan), produced by the National Film Board of Canada, NHK and Polygon
• Off Route 2 by Amanda Dawn Christie (New Brunswick), produced by Magnetic Mountain Productions
• Opasatica by Éric Morin (Quebec)
• Rusted Pyre by Laurence Cohen (Alberta), produced by Year of the Skunk Productions
• Wild Life by Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby (Alberta), produced by the National Film Board of Canada

The program also includes Seven Sins, a collection of seven films by seven directors, produced by Amythos Media and commissioned by Bravo!FACT with support from Bell Media.

• Envy by Bruce McDonald (Ontario)
• Gluttony by Ann Marie Fleming (British Columbia)
• Greed by Jamie Travis (Ontario)
• Lust by Anita Doiron (British Columbia)
• Pride by Joe Cobden (Nova Scotia, Quebec)
• Sloth by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Nunavut)
• Wrath by Larry Weinstein (Ontario)  

Seven features in the Perspective Canada line-up

• A Beginner’s Guide to Endings by Jonathan Sobol,produced by Darius Films
• En terrains connus by Stéphane Lafleur,produced by micro_scope
• Frisson des collines by Richard Roy,produced by Solofilm
• Funkytown by Daniel Roby,produced by Caramel Films
• Laurentie by Mathieu Denis and Simon Lavoie,produced by Metafilms
• Route 132 by Louis Bélanger,produced by Aetios Productions, Cinémaginaire
• Le Vendeur by Sébastien Pilote,produced by ACPAV

The Perspective Canada screenings will take place May 13-18. Each feature will be shown twice.

Canada at Cannes Online
Telefilm Canada has produced an extensive print and online promotional campaign that includes a microsite providing information on the Canadian presence at Cannes, with details and schedules for films showing at the Festival and in Perspective Canada. Visit www.canada-cannes2011.ca.

About Telefilm Canada
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. Telefilm also administers the Canada Media Fund’s programs. Visit www.telefilm.ca.

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