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Telefilm Canada consolidates industry development activities
to better help build the Canadian audiovisual industry
Montreal, June 12, 2006 - Telefilm Canada announces that it has consolidated
its activities, targeted at building a strong Canadian audiovisual industry, under
one new Industry Development Operations sector. This move means better support
for talent and companies. Programs for training, professional development, Canadian
festivals, international markets and festivals and coproduction are more closely
aligned with corporate objectives as well as the multiplatform universe and its
requirement for new skills and strategies.
"Telefilm's industry development activities have been united in order
to allow us to more effectively provide end-to-end support, specifically increasing
audience access to distinctively Canadian productions, investing in the professional
development of talented Canadians, and increasing opportunities with international
investors and buyers," said Danny Chalifour, Director of Industry Development
Operations.
"The groundbreaking Canada-UK Television Coproduction Immersion in March
is a good example of how the Industry Development Operations team is being strategic.
Using our access to relationships, we have refocused our activities towards
providing unique, value-added initiatives that provide concrete assistance to
Canadian players with measurable results.
"And the regional offices are playing a key role in reaching our objectives
by developing experienced creators and fostering emerging and culturally diverse
voices."
Increase audience awareness in Canada
The main audience development objectives are to support initiatives that provide
increased accessibility for Canadians living in underserved areas to a broad
range of Canadian films, TV programs and new media products, as well as to introduce
Canada's youth to Canadian audiovisual productions. Recently, Telefilm partnered
with distributors to release French-language films outside of major centres,
particularly in English Canada.
Canadian festivals are a key platform for building audiences. Telefilm's Canada
Showcase program, which has the goal of increasing awareness of high-quality
Canadian works at Canadian festivals, is currently being reviewed. A priority
for Industry Development Operations is to complete the program evaluation, and
in consultation with the industry, design festival strategies that are consistent
with corporate objectives for implementation in 2007-2008.
Invest in the professional development of talented Canadians
Given the rapidly changing landscape, maintaining an adequate pool of talent
is crucial to keeping Canada's industry functioning. Telefilm's support of professional
education and development for the audiovisual industry falls under the Industry
Development Operations banner. Most notably, Telefilm provides financial support
to national training schools to foster the professional development of emerging
Canadian creators and to renew the skills of professional Canadian creators.
In addition, for the television industry, Telefilm ensures the development
of new and diverse voices within the Interdepartmental Partnership with Official-Language
Communities (IPOLC) (development funding for French-language production companies
from outside of Quebec) and the Spark Plug Program (professional, product and
audience development for visible-minority and Aboriginal producers with established
careers).
Increase access to potential financing and exploitation
Telefilm's international relations activities - such as coproductions, and international
festivals and markets - are an integral part of Industry Development Operations
to foster partnerships, increase sales and enhance the prestige of Canadian
products.
Most notably, through such successful events as the Perspective Canada_Cannes
market screenings for Canadian filmmakers and sales agents, Telefilm is continuing
to offer a range of initiatives to improve the market preparedness of producers
and distributors, and to increase the visibility of Canadian producers by providing
networking opportunities at international markets and festivals.
Aligned and strategic for French-language cinema
In the future, Industry Development Operations and French Operations will be
partnering on initiatives to increase foreign sales, coproduction activity,
training opportunities and audience access for French-language cinema.
Key Industry Development Operations staff
Rounding out the Industry Development management team with Danny Chalifour are:
Nancy Roch, Acting Director of Initiatives and Programs Delivery; Elizabeth
McDonald, Acting Director of Initiatives Design; Florence Moureaux, Acting Director
of Coproductions; and Lise Corriveau, Director of Festivals and Markets.
Telefilm Canada
Telefilm Canada is a federal cultural agency dedicated to the development and
promotion of the Canadian audiovisual industry. Telefilm provides financial
support to the private sector to create Canadian productions that appeal to
audiences domestically and internationally. The Corporation also administers
the funding programs of the Canadian Television Fund.
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Media enquiries:
Douglas Chow, Deputy Director - Strategic Communications
(514) 283-6363 or 1-800-567-0890
chowd@telefilm.gc.ca
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