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Telefilm Canada and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation announce one year feature-length documentary pilot program
Montreal, June 14, 2005 - Telefilm Canada together with the CBC announced
today the creation of a Theatrical Feature-Length Documentary Program for development,
production and completion of theatrical feature-length documentaries. A co-venture
of the CBC and Telefilm Canada this marks a first-time collaboration for both
organizations.
A one-year pilot program for 2005/06, the Theatrical Feature-Length Documentary
Program is a direct response to impassioned discussions with the English and French
documentary filmmaking communities, which presented the impetus for dedicated
resources for feature-length documentaries.
The Program will be divided one-third French and two-thirds English for development,
production and completion financing, with Telefilm committing $1.5 million. The
CBC will contribute $500,000 towards English-language production projects. It
is expected that CBC and Telefilm staff will evaluate production projects jointly
based on eligibility and assessment criteria currently under discussion.
"Since my arrival at Telefilm Canada, I have been privy to many debates about
the desire for dedicated financing for theatrical feature-length documentaries,"
stated Wayne Clarkson, Executive Director, Telefilm Canada. "And with the
unprecedented box-office success of THE CORPORATION, and ROGER TOUPIN, ÉPICIER
VARIÉTÉ, and the award-winning SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL, it is
clear that audiences will go to the theatre to see a documentary made by Canadians."
"We are delighted to join Telefilm in this venture, " said Richard Stursberg,
Executive Vice President, English Television, CBC. "As of one this country's
leaders in the production and broadcasting of documentaries, the CBC is committed
to giving documentary filmmakers the necessary resources to make their stories."
The Theatrical Feature-Length Documentary Program has been established separate
from the Canada Feature Film Fund, and marks Telefilm's first step towards providing
financial stability to the documentary genre. It is expected that with the renewal
of CFFF, new resources could be earmarked for feature-length documentaries.
Telefilm Canada expects the Theatrical Feature-Length Documentary Program to be
up and running in the fall of 2005. Guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application
deadlines and forms will be available on the Telefilm Canada website at www.telefilm.gc.ca
in the coming months.
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Media inquiries:
Jeanine Basile, Manager, Communications & Public Affairs - Telefilm Canada
Phone: (514) 283-6363, Toll free: 1-800-567-0890
basilej@telefilm.gc.ca
Alejandra Sosa, Communications Officer - Telefilm Canada, Ontario & Nunavut
Regions
Phone: (416) 973-6436, Toll free: 1-800 463-4607
sosaa@telefilm.gc.ca
Ruth-Ellen Soles, Head Media Relations, CBC English Programming
Phone: (416) 205-6638
Ruth-Ellen_Soles@cbc.ca
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