On Screen Manitoba

A guest editorial from Brian Anthony, national executive director and CEO, Directors Guild of Canada - Originally published in Playback.

Update your calendars: The mid-May Los Angeles Screenings has prompted the CRTC to delay upcoming vertical integration hearings from May 9, 2011 to June 20, 2011.

A guest editorial from Norm Bolen, president & CEO, Canadian Media Production Association - Originally published in Playback.

Winnipeg filmmaker Matthew Rankin's Negativipeg is among a group of Canadian films that will be going to the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Telefilm Canada is pleased to announce that the festival will present eight Canadian shorts along with the six feature-length productions, as previously announced. In addition, three Canadian short films have been selected to screen at the 2011 Slamdance Film Festival, from January 21 to 27, 2011.

Telefilm Canada is pleased to announce that the will present eight Canadian shorts along with the , as previously announced. In addition, three Canadian short films have been selected to screen at the , from January 21 to 27, 2011.

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) today announced its Program Guidelines for the upcoming fiscal year starting April 1, 2011. It also announced the Factor Weights that will be used to calculate Performance Envelopes for 2011-2012. These announcements reflect decisions made by the CMF’s Board of Directors at its meeting held on November 25, 2010.

“The changes announced today reflect much of what we heard during the extensive consultations undertaken this fall by the CMF”, stated Valerie Creighton, President and CEO. “We once again wish to thank our stakeholders for their time, advice and valued contributions."

A guest editorial from Maureen Parker, executive director, Writers Guild of Canada - Originally published in Playback.

Here’s a useful life raft for struggling Canadian filmmakers: Astral Media’s The Harold Greenberg Fund last year invested $3.4 million in Canadian film, much of it seed capital to get projects off the ground in a crisis-era global film business.

The Board of Directors of the Independent Production Fund undertook an evaluation of its Web Series Pilot Program and determined that funding support should be maintained in 2011, in order to continue to explore this innovative, story-driven dramatic form and its potential business models. “The creativity of the web series format is exciting and inspiring, but there are a few mysteries yet to solve in this experimental format” noted IPF Chair, Charles Ohayon, “Time is needed to develop appropriate marketing, distribution and business models”.

There has been very strong industry interest in this unique funding Program and much anticipation for its renewal. The IPF is the only Canadian Fund that supports linear online dramatic content. The 2010 Pilot Program invested $1.2 M in the production of 11 drama series in English and in French, created for audiences from pre-schoolers to adults, representing 942 minutes of linear drama as well as interactive activities and social media strategies. Budgets ranged from $300 a minute to $5,000 a minute. The funded projects were selected from amongst 166 submissions made by Canadian producers and writers from across the country. The IPF created its own web series dashboard for the series it funds, Wip, available at www.ipf.ca/webseries.

Not to leave its Canadian subscribers too out in the cold with U.S. TV shows available only to Netflix’s American subscribers, the U.S. video streaming giant has added a raft of Canadian and U.S. programming to its Canuck online video subscription service.

Regulation is not a dirty word.

That was the message from the Writers Guild of Canada to a Heritage Committee formed to examine an issue which has flummoxed policy makers and industry leaders around the globe: media convergence.

Former Canwest Global Communications Corp. CEO Leonard Asper is stepping back into the business ring by taking a "significant ownership stake" in The Fight Network, a Canadian specialty channel focused on combat sports.

is Canada's first post-graduate training and production program based on a philosophy that compelling content is created though a collaborative process harnessing a wide range of creative skills and talents.

CMF president and CEO Valerie Creighton sat down with Playback Daily following her participation in The Future of Content panel at the Whistler Film Festival to share her thoughts about the CMF’s first year thus far.

The CBC has successfully negotiated a new tentative labor deal with ACTRA concerning performers engaged by the public broadcaster.

The Canada Media Fund received nearly 200 funding applications for digital media and interactive software application projects in its Experimental Stream program. The funding applications requested about $72 M against an available budget of $10.8 M. Of the applications received from around the country, 45.6 % were for the development phase, 7.7 % for marketing, and 46.7 % for production. The second round application submission deadline was November 12, 2010. It was the second and final deadline for the submission of Experimental Stream project applications.

It is with sadness that we report on the passing of Douglas James Dales, founder of PS Production Services. PS was a long time sponsor of OSM and many other organizations here in Manitoba.

Manitoba Eco-Network’s Reel Green Film Festival are currently looking for volunteers for their festival on February 4th and 5th. This is Winnipeg’s only festival dedicated to environmental issues and solutions.

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) POV program has extended its Dec. 6 deadline into the New Year in order to give doc makers the chance to find the broadcaster needed to access the fund’s cash. Playback Daily learned of the extension after obtaining an email sent to documentary filmmakers by Telefilm Canada.

The CMPA’s Prime Time in Ottawa 2011 conference is an exciting and thought-provoking must-attend national event. For three action-packed-days producers, industry leaders, funders and policy makers unite under one tent to better understand and debate where the Canadian content production sector is headed and where it should be going.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) is holding the first armchair discussion in its Insights on Privacy Speakers’ Series. The first event takes place Friday, December 10th with Chris Soghoian and Jesse Hirsh, who will report from the frontiers of the privacy landscape and give their thought-provoking insights into what the future of privacy might look like.

GameON: Finance, January 20-21, is Canada's top business forum for the interactive entertainment industry connecting developers, innovators, investors and industry leaders. Delegates will gather in downtown Toronto for two days of keynotes, case-studies, lectures and panel discussions.

Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Flor Marcelino announced funding of $250,000 to support Prairie Scene, a two-week festival in the nation's capital that will showcase Manitoba artists from April 26 to May 7, 2011.

"There are many talented artists located throughout Manitoba and I am certain the group chosen to represent Manitoba at the festival will do the province proud," said Marcelino. "Support for Prairie Scene reflects ourgovernment's ongoing commitment to the many artists living in Manitoba and our desire to provide opportunities for them."

The board of directors of the Gimli Film Festival is pleased to announce Cheryl Ashton has been appointed festival director of Manitoba’s largest film festival.

Ashton is a familiar face in the Winnipeg arts and culture scene. She was executive director of the National Screen Institute from 1998 to 2002, where she spearheaded NSI’s move from its headquarters in Edmonton to Winnipeg, rebranded the organization and introduced the Film Exchange. Previous to that, she was executive director of MMPIA (now called On Screen Manitoba), where she managed the creation of Film Training Manitoba. From 1992 to 1993, she was executive director of Folklorama.

The Canada Media Fund (CMF), successor organization to the Canadian Television Fund (CTF), today published the CTF 2009-2010 Annual Report.

During its last financial year the CTF disbursed a record amount of $327 million to help produce 4,400 hours of programming, including 932 hours of new broadcast programs. Flashpoint, The Young Romantic, Les Invincibles, and Les hauts et les bas de Sophie Paquin are only a few examples of programs that received numerous awards, attracting many repeat viewers as indicated by audience rating numbers.

The National Film Board of Canada and Nunavut Film Development Corporation are teaming up to present a new training opportunity for the Nunavut film, television and digital media production community.

Giving Voice: Filmmakers Working with Filmmakers is the newest program from The Documentary Organization of Canada, funded by CBC’s digichannel documentary.

As outlined in an email on September 9, 2010, the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO) has introduced a new procedure for producers and key creative personnel to demonstrate Canadian citizenship or permanent residency for the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC) program.

The CMF wants to hear from you. After an extended road trip that saw representatives from the Canada Media Fund hold 23 explanatory sessions across the country, the Fund has set up a discussion forum that will allow interested parties to offer their feedback.

When is reality TV not a documentary, and when is a Canadian TV award show in the national interest? These and other questions that help define Canadian broadcast license mandates and their logging requirements were answered in part this week as the CRTC revised and updated its TV program categories.

The Canadian Film Centre is pleased to announce the launch of a new collaboration with Cirque du Soleil that will see a series of Master Classes designed to support Canada's next generation of creative talent in providing innovative entertainment for 21st century global audiences.

Dave Wheeler, host of Wheeler in the Morning with Philly and Rena on Power 97, wrote a great piece for the Winnipeg Sun recently on why Winnipeg is so attractive to Hollywood producers.

The Canada Media Fund has revised its Application Form for projects applying to the November 12, 2010 Final Closing Date under the Experimental Stream.

The National Film Board of Canada announced today the appointment of Alicia Smith to the position of Prairie Centre producer. In her new role, beginning November 1, Alicia Smith will be responsible for producing interactive, documentary and animation projects with directors, producers and digital-media makers in Manitoba.

Three Winnipeggers were among the winners at the recent imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto last month. The Canwest Mentorship Program was awarded to Ervin Chartrand, whose credits include Patrick Ross where he won the ReelWorld Award for Outstanding Canadian Short Film at the 2006 ReelWorld Film Festival and 504938C for which he won the Best New Talent Award at the 2005 Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival.

The CRTC approves the Canwest Global takeover by Shaw Communications.

Winnipeg-lensed Less Than Kind wins big at Canadian Comedy Awards.

Interactivity is the Canada Media Fund’s monthly publication, featuring news about the CMF and the projects we fund, as well as valuable information on industry events, awards and sales.

APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) announced the election of Dan Vandal (Manitoba - Director-at-Large) as chairperson of the network's 21-seat Board of Directors.

New for 2010 – MyAFM Social Networking Site! Connect with registered attendees before, during and after the AFM. The sooner you register, the more you benefit. For more info, go to MyAFM.

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The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has announced the appointment of Catalina Briceño to the position of Director, Industry and Market Trends. In this newly created role, Ms. Briceño will ensure that the CMF’s policies for supporting the production of Canadian television and digital media content are aligned with emerging trends and developments in the industry in Canada and internationally. She will monitor key trends and developments in terms of emerging technologies; business models and production financing; and regulation in order to provide the CMF with market intelligence to develop effective policies.

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Photos available: CMF - Facebook

IATSE Local 856 is pleased to announce that Maryam Decter is our new Business Agent.

A number of media industry and broadcast related groups have outlined concerns they have to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission about Shaw Communication's $2-billion proposed acquisition of Canwest TV and specialty channel assets.

Etan Vlessing, Playback

Netflix has launched a Canadian movie and TV series subscription service at $7.99 a month, in competition with Canuck broadcaster and cable websites lately ramping up their free on-demand content.

And the result has Netflix and other Internet streaming players shelling out evermore money for Canadian content.

Don’t let Shaw Communications off lightly when it comes to a benefits package required for approval to acquire Canwest Global Communications Corp’s TV assets.

ArtsVote Winnipeg is a non-partisan coalition of volunteers working to insure arts and cultural issues are addressed in the run-up to Winnipeg’s October 27, 2010 municipal election.

We believe bold, visionary cultural policies and greater public investment in the arts are essential to fulfilling Winnipeg’s potential as a creative, prosperous city and encourages those seeking office to put forth their cultural platforms.

TORONTO -- Among the guests at the Manitoba Night Party was Japanese filmmaker Toru Tokikawa, who plans to make an urban thriller titled Single Shot in Winnipeg next spring with producer Juliette Hagopian.

Producer Leah Pasuta of Four Seasons Films, one of the producers of a documentary on the making of Xavier Gens's apocalyptic thriller The Divide, attended along with Divide producer Ross Dinerstein. Pasuta's business card includes addresses in both Santa Monica California and Winnipeg, but she says she intends to be in Winnipeg more often to work on film projects. Pasuta says a final cut of The Divide, starring Michael Biehn and Milo Ventimiglia, has been locked and will hopefully debut at the Sundance Film Festival early in 2011.

Europe Meets Canada In Toronto
by Sandy Mandelberger, North American Editor

With roughly half of the films premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival tracing back to Europe (either as co-productions or stand-alones from their country of origin), Europe certainly has a strong presence here. This has been enhanced by the inauguration of the Producers Lab Toronto, a new initiative by European Film Promotion (www.efp-online.com), the pan-European promotion agency and the Ontario Media Development Corporation (www.omdc.on.ca), with support from Media International and Telefilm Canada.

Let there be light!

The TIFF Bell Lightbox officially opened its doors today and you could've sworn George Clooney or Matt Damon were inside with all the people lined up to get in.

BCE Inc. today announced it has agreed to acquire 100% of CTV, the Canadian leader in specialty television, digital media, conventional TV and radio broadcasting. The transaction gives Bell full ownership of Canada's best media assets to enhance the growth of Bell's TV, wireless and online services for years to come.

Brian Anthony, National Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC), today announced his resignation effective March 1, 2011. His decision, a purely personal one, was the result of much serious deliberation.

Innovative Projects Seek $90 million

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) announced that the future of content and content delivery in Canada is being bolstered by home grown innovation, as evidenced by the strong demand for funding through the CMF's Experimental Stream. Applications submitted for funding by the first deadline, July 5, 2010, vastly exceeded the $16.2 million available at this round. Over 250 applicants have requested almost $90 million to support 120 production ($57 million requested), 112 development ($25 million requested), and 21 marketing ($8 million requested) projects. First round applicants represent all regions of Canada, and their projects include console, PC, and online games; alternate reality games; websites and webportals; webseries; mobile applications; software applications; and more.

By: The Insider / Maureen Scurfield

Onalee Ames Film Studio, an acting school for film and TV hopefuls, has sent so many talented Winnipeggers to Carrier Talent Management, the Vancouver-based agency is opening a branch here this month.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has approved applications from several Canadian specialty TV services to relax or change the programming requirements on their services.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) issued a new policy, one it says will give Canadians more opportunities to participate in their community television channels.

Dear Colleagues,

We are writing to inform you that we are nearing completion of our rebranding initiative that was announced last June. The objective of our rebranding is to reflect the fact that the Association, like the hundreds of producers we represent across Canada, is keeping pace with change in the production sector. The most visible aspect of our rebranding is our new name, the Canadian Media Production Association.

By: Etan Vlessing, Playback

Movie tax credits are back in vogue south of the border, posing a renewed challenge for Hollywood North.

Stursberg exits CBC
By: Etan Vlessing, Playback

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Performance Envelope Calculation Factors

As a result of the consultation with the industry and funders of the Canada Media Fund (CMF), and in view of the policy direction from the federal government, the Board of the CMF has determined that the following factors will apply in the calculation of the performance envelopes for 2011-2012:

Patricia Bailey, Playback Magazine

A webseries penned by Ryan FitzGerald (Rogue Nation Studios) chronicling the plight of American citizens forced to leave their country as refugees picked up the 2010 Rogers and Manitoba Film & Music $15,000 Pitch prize presented by On Screen Manitoba at the 10th annual Gimli Film Festival.

The Federal Court of Appeal has rejected the notion that internet service providers are broadcasters, likely ending a plan to introduce a new levy on internet users to pay for the creation of Canadian content online.

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Be sure to check out the article on Merit Motion Pictures produced One Ocean series. The Immersive Media World of One Ocean in this issue of the CMF's Interactivity publication.

SaskFilm and the Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN) have reached an agreement to provide services to film producers and production companies impacted by the wind-up of SCN. This agreement will transfer the management of all SCN’s outstanding contracts with film and television producers to SaskFilm.

"At this time of sector change and industry challenges, we are pleased to strengthen our relationship with producers and support the completion of these productions,” said Susanne Bell, SaskFilm CEO and Film Commissioner. “This agreement will ensure that these productions are completed and that work continues for many local film and television producers and that the transition resulting from the sale of SCN assets is handled efficiently.”

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Canada Media Fund Supports Content Creation in Diverse Languages

By: Marise Strauss, Playback

The new czar at Telefilm Canada wants to cut red tape within the organization and implement new guidelines to gauge the success of homegrown movies beyond the box office.

The Government of Saskatchewan today announced that, after careful review and analysis of the Expressions of Interest from groups interested in buying the Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN), it has decided to sell SCN’s assets and operations to Bluepoint Investment Corporation.

The Canada Media Fund today released highlights from the Canadian Television Fund’s final program year, which ended on March 31, 2010.

Dear community members and stakeholders,

On Screen Manitoba wishes to share news that PS Production Services, a leading national motion picture equipment supplier, will be scaling down operations in Manitoba and moving their equipment inventory out of the province. They have yet to determine if they will continue to provide camera rentals from a Manitoba office.

By: Brendan Christie, Playback

The CFTPA is no more. Long live the CMPA.

By: Emily Claire Afan, Playback

Hoping to do away with the perception that it only caters to Hollywood-sized productions, equipment supply house William F. White International is launching a solution to target the increasing number of smaller indie prodcos.

On Screen Manitoba would like to send its condolences to the family of Wayne Nicklas, an active industry member. Our thoughts are with you.

The government has introduced new copyright legislation that would legalize activities commonly engaged in by thousands of Canadians — such as copying a CD — but which would prohibit breaking digital locks placed on gadgets and media.

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR FACILITATED ACCESS TO THE JAPANESE WIRELESS MARKET
The Mobile Computing Promotion Consortium (MCPC) of Japan have partnered with Wavefront to connect Canada’s community of innovative wireless and new media companies to the Japanese market.

By: Emily Claire Afan, Playback

According to Patrice Theroux, digital distribution in Canada is not the enigma it used to be.

The Shaw Rocket Fund has unveiled its new Digital Funding Stream, providing financial support for the creation of digital media content related to Canadian children's programming. For more information on the fund and to apply, visit The Shaw Rocket Fund website.

Really you'll want to choose the right mate to compliment your personality, as you'll want to choose the right platform to compliment your story. And while I don't recommend having multiple partners, I do recommend having multiple platforms - because after all, it's the digital revolution.

After 24 years of delivering you the news via traditional paper and ink, Canada's film, TV and digital entertainment industry journal of record will now be published exclusively on its digital platform at PlaybackOnline.ca.

This news is under development...No Joke at Comedy Network - Web Video Morphs into Primetime TV
Having gathered more than 1,200 user-generated videos, uploaded by funny people across Canada, you'd think there'd be a TV show in there somewhere.

Governments, the private sector, academia and the Canadian public are being asked for their thoughts on a national digital strategy, as part of a federal government consultative process that should lead to new regulation and legislation.

Jay Baruchel to shoot hockey movie, 'The Goon,' in Manitoba this summer
By Nick Patch, The Canadian Press

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The Experimental Stream Application Form is now available. Download it here:
http://www.cmf-fmc.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=110&page_mode=create&Itemid=110

Le formulaire de demande du Volet expérimental est maintenant disponible. Téléchargez le document à l’adresse suivante :
http://www.cmf-fmc.ca/fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=110&page_mode=create&Itemid=110

Isn't technology great! You are now able to follow the Cannes Film Festival on your iPhone.

The Writers Guild of Canada is pleased to announce that screenwriter Jill Golick was appointed by the WGC council as the new WGC President.

Paul Bronfman, Chairman and CEO of Comweb Group Inc. and William F. White International Inc., is pleased to announce the development of William F. White Centre, the largest and most significant facility in the company's 47-year history. The new $20-million dollar, world-class production complex will act as a hub for industry professionals, while offering a full-range of production and related support services under one roof. Located in Toronto at 800 Islington Ave., only a few blocks south of the company's existing west-end location, the new 338,000 square-foot complex is situated on nearly 17 acres of prime real estate, on a corner lot just minutes from downtown Toronto and the city's international airport. William F. White International Inc. will occupy nearly half of the building, with the balance of space earmarked to house additional production support service businesses including Bill White's 3D Camera Company.

It's far from quiet on the set as film production roars to life
By: Randall King

After last year's production lull, the Manitoba film industry is back with a vengeance with three theatrical feature movies currently shooting simultaneously in Winnipeg.

Applicant Meetings
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The CMF Program Administrator | Telefilm Canada will be holding one-on-one meetings with CMF applicants to answer questions regarding the application process, deadlines, and eligibility criteria for the recently launched Canada Media Fund.

By: Katie Bailey, Playback

The media landscape shifted significantly Monday morning, as Calgary-based Shaw Communications announced a new deal that will see it gain full control over Canwest's conventional and speciality television business.

The National Film Board of Canada is taking its long-time relationship with animation filmmaker Cordell Barker in an exciting new direction.

It's always good to keep updated on what's going on in Hollywood, even though they are our less artistic sister. Recently, there has been a big move to adjust to the new digital landscape and creating content for multiple platforms. The announcement of the new CMF fund this month has made multiple platform projects mandatory, which means you have to tell your story in several different ways to suite multiple platforms of distribution. The PGA moving forward to add 'Transmedia Producer' to their Producer Code of Credits is a step in the right direction and is necessary to help bring producers into this new era.

Educational Resources now Available in Schools

Manitobans now have greater access to television programming developed by Ontario's French-Language Educational Communications Authority (TFO), Premier Greg Selinger announced today.

"Offering TFO programming through cable TV stations and other distributors, and providing educational materials to schools via the Internet will enrich and enhance the educational and cultural resources available to French-speaking Manitobans," Selinger said. "TFO is best-known for producing high-calibre documentaries and children's programming and this initiative will support the creation of new made-in-Manitoba television programs."

This new partnership will allow school divisions to have greater access to online, multimedia French-language teaching resources. Teachers from all grade levels in Français and French-immersion programs as well as teachers of basic French will have access to more than 4,000 videos, 300 teaching guides and related websites, mainly through the school's Internet server.

By: Randall King, Winnipeg Free Press

The TV series Less Than Kind is evidently more than popular, given that HBO Canada has ordered a third season of the Winnipeg-shot sitcom.

Marise Strauss, Playback

Broadcasters and producers will divvy up $276 million from the Canada Media Fund for 2010/11, based on figures revealed Thursday by the new fund.

Broadcaster Magazine

The Canada Media Fund today announced that Glenn Wong has been appointed to the funding agency’s Board of Directors. Nominated by the Department of Canadian Heritage, Mr. Wong is an executive management consultant and former President of Electronic Arts Canada and Rogers Cable TV (BC).

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The Canada Media Fund (CMF) is holding outreach sessions across the country to provide applicants with details regarding the 2010-2011 guidelines for funding and to answer questions.

New Media Manitoba has some announcements to share with you today related to the interactive digital media industry in Manitoba, the most important of which, relates to the latest Provincial Budget.

The Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO) is pleased to announce the launch of CAVCO Online, a new fast and secure way that production companies will use to apply for certification under the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC) program or the Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit (PSTC) program.

Mediacaster Magazine

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has decided to allow advertising on VOD (video on demand) services, and it has opened the door to the use of new forms of advertising, including targeted advertising, in the VOD environment.

CBC Arts

Canada's broadcast regulator has approved Citytv co-founder Moses Znaimer's deal to buy the broadcasting assets of VisionTV, a Toronto-based multi-faith religious network.

Bill Curry, The Globe and Mail

Google Inc. has a message for MPs – don’t try to regulate the net.

Mediacaster

There’s an increasingly high interest in new TV and video entertainment delivery models, particularly multi-screen video services that enable media consumption across multiple devices with litte or no airtime schedule restrictions.

Take a look at this interesting article. Software company MoboVivo is gearing up to release a new social platform called Previiw that will allow users to be more interactive with television content, while at the same time providing creators with more information about their audience.

CMF Backgrounder

The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Louis Roquet, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canada Media Fund (CMF), and Valerie Creighton, President and CEO of the CMF, announced the launch of the new funding agency and presented details regarding its programs.

TELETOON Canada inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Gregg to the position of Director, Original Content, effective April 19, 2010.

CMF Funding Guidelines (CREATE)

The Canada Media Fund is a not-for-profit corporation that delivers $350M in funding annually. Through the Experimental Stream, the CMF will encourage the development of leading-edge, interactive, digital media content and software applications. Through the Convergent Stream, the CMF will support the creation of innovative, convergent television and digital media content.

Etan Vlessing, Playback

Saskatchewan is exiting the educational broadcast business by shuttering SCN.

Manitoba Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade
Industry Workforce Development
Workforce Development Solutions

Mediacaster

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is proposing a new operational and licencing framework for English-language private television broadcasters.

WINNIPEG film producer Buffalo Gal Pictures says it has inked a deal to shoot three feature films here this year worth a total of $50 million.

This news is under development...

This news is under development...

Etan Vlessing, Playback

A federal government funding cut of $205,000 has forced the Canadian Screen Training Centre in Ottawa to close its doors permanently on May 1, 2010.

The Cultural Human Resources Council works for and with all the cultural industries and arts disciplines in the cultural sector including: Live Performing Arts; Writing and Publishing; Visual Arts and Crafts; Film and Television Production; Broadcasting; Digital Media; Music and Sound Recording; and Heritage.

Mediacaster

Movie fans across Canada and around the world can join in the celebration of Canadian film for the first time.

Cheryl Binning, Playback

Tax credit competition among Canada's biggest production centers is hotter than ever.

Etan Vlessing, Playback

Goldman Sachs & Co. has asked the Ontario Court of Appeal to block Shaw Communications and U.S. bondholders from taking control of a restructured Canwest Global Communications.

Marise Strauss, Playback

CBC has rearranged its news department, handing new titles to members of its management team, as it continues to make changes focused on improving operations.

The Canadian Short Screenplay Competition (CSSC), the most prestigious short film script contest in Canada, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Yorkton Film Festival (YFF) – the oldest and longest running film festival in North America.

Flaherty keeps status quo for arts and culture
James Bradshaw (The Globe and Mail)

A chronic shortage of early-stage angel and venture capital investment in Canadian digital content has produced a novel source of financing to get new innovations off the ground: former top TV executives.

The CRTC has reached a decision on fee-for-carriage, the source of bitter debate between Canada's broadcasters and cable providers, and plans to release its findings next month.

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has chosen Shaw Communications' $95 million bid to grab control of Canwest Global Communications' TV assets and take them private.

Creatives Loop organised the 1-2-1 meetings with UK Producers as part of On Screen Manitoba UK Mission 2006.

ISPs, broadcasters and "mobile companies" will be able to apply alongside TV producers to the "experimental stream" of the Canada Media Fund if its proposed guidelines are approved by the new board of directors, according to executives apparent Valerie Creighton and Stéphane Cardin.

Province promoting its 'good things' in big way
By: Bruce Owen

Reassurances and warnings about the digital era greeted attendees at the Prime Time conference on Thursday, as kick-off speaker Brent Lowe-Bernie delivered the message that "The sky is not falling."

Strengthening and promoting Canadian content in an age of rapid technological and social change is an important theme in a new document released by The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

Why Shaw wants a piece of Canwest
By: Nicholas Hirst

In a very smart move for the future Shaw Communications plans to purchase Canwest Global Communications and with that their extensive library of speciality channels. This would give Shaw access to content they could distribute to their customers on various platforms, including mobile phones, a territory they have been working on developing for the past couple of years.

In order to sweeten its brand as a one-stop shop for foreign producers, the Quebec government has made post-production work in the province 20% cheaper.

Important information for the 2010-2011 Development Program for English-Language Productions

Telefilm Canada wishes to announce changes to the Development Program for English-Language Productions guidelines to be implemented in 2010-2011.

B.C. is sweetening its foreign production tax credit and effects bonus, while also offering a new video game development incentive.

For your convenience...

Direct Deposit is now available to Canadian Television Fund (CTF) clients.

HRSDC opens EI Special Benefits to the Self-Employed

In a press release issued just before Christmas, the federal government announced that Royal Assent has been given to the Fairness for the Self-Employed Act.

Everyone knows that their is a huge shift in the way people consume content. With increasingly busier lives people want convenience which means they want to view content on their time, wherever they may be. This shift in consumer behaviour was addressed at ALL ACCESS: The Digital Incubator. Below is an article in Playback about American content becoming more available to Canadian viewers online.

Let’s show the world that Manitoba's Screen-based Industry is open for business!

Looking for international trade and investment opportunities? Mark October 20, 2010 on your calendar.

Implementation of a streamlined structure to expand reach and develop digital expertise in the Prairies.

"Canadians have paid over a billion dollars over the last decade for community TV channels. Cable companies have responded by curtailing access," says the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations.