Telefilm Canada holds Annual Public Assembly in Ottawa under theme Talent without Borders

Telefilm Canada holds Annual Public Assembly in Ottawa under theme Talent without Borders

New 'audience first' campaign with The Hive; Telefilm Canada and the National Film Board of Canada to partner on a new online channel to showcase first features

OTTAWA, Feb. 5, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Telefilm Canada held its Annual Public Assembly this morning as part of the CMPA's annual Prime Time in Ottawa conference. The Assembly, held under the theme Talent without Borders, was attended by members of Canada's audiovisual industry and government decision-makers.

At its annual meeting, Telefilm announced a new 'audience first' campaign--developed in collaboration with Toronto ad agency The Hive--to drive awareness for Canada's screen productions. The objective, in association with the industry, is to change perceptions, build credibility and foster discoverability, most notably amongst millennials, for Canadian content.

In addition, Telefilm also announced a new partnership with the National Film Board of Canada for first features. The collaboration calls for the creation of a new online channel showcasing films by emerging filmmakers funded under the Talent Fund/Micro-Budget Production Program.

Telefilm released its 2014-2015 annual report, Talent without Borders.

"We can confidently state that our industry is getting stronger, is filled with talent and potential, and is on the cusp of achieving even greater things by working together," said Michel Roy, Telefilm's Chair of the Board. "It's up to us all to better understand this rapidly changing environment and to be creative so that Canadian stories can be accessible, and so that they can be discovered, viewed and recognized everywhere, on all platforms, at home and around the world. Marketing a film or the talent that brought it to life is as important as making it."

For more details on Telefilm's objectives within the new competing environment, check out the 2015-2018 strategic plan launched in 2014-2015, Inspired by Talent. Viewed Everywhere.

Carolle Brabant, Telefilm's Executive Director, added: "An important change we undertook was developing our role as promoter. The maturity of the industry and the quality of Canadian productions allowed us to move from a business development model to one focused on industry promotion. For the first time ever, two Canadian coproductions--Room and Brooklyn--have been nominated for best film at the upcoming Oscars. But going forward, we need to redouble our efforts to ensure Canadian works are properly funded, widely seen and grabbing the attention of media and fans."

Highlights

Supporting and promoting Canadian talent


-- In 2014-2015, Telefilm Canada supported the production and marketing of
87 feature films and the development of 301 projects, while also helping
to promote Canadian talent at 42 Canadian film festivals, 97 industry
events and initiatives and 36 international festivals, markets and
events--for a total investment of $89.1 million.
-- The Talent Fund, a private donation fund that supports Canadian talent,
particularly emerging filmmakers, has raised more than $15 million to
date. The Talent Fund finances 75% of Telefilm's Micro-Budget Production
Program, which supports emerging filmmakers seeking to produce their
first feature-length films, with emphasis on the use of digital
platforms.
-- The Talent Fund/Micro-Budget Production Program added a new component
for official-language minority communities. In its three years, the
Program has supported 37 debut feature-length productions, including
impressive debuts like Cast No Shadow by Christian Sparkes, Fire Song by
Adam Garnet Jones, Un film de chasse de filles by Julie Lambert and Le
dep by Sonia Bonspille Boileau.
-- The promotion of Canadian talent is strongly supported by public and
private partners such as the Canada Media Fund; Bell Media; Corus
Entertainment; the Rogers Group of Funds, for the Theatrical Documentary
Program; the CMPA; the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television;
festivals; consulates; provincial organizations; and companies such as
Birks, which again paid tribute to the year's women in film at the 2015
Toronto International Film Festival.
-- Telefilm continued to provide the industry with leading-edge market
intelligence and strategic research. The funding agency's Audiences in
Canada: Trend Report, published in October 2015, most notably revealed
that film viewing is increasing in Canada, driven by digital platforms
and the 13-24-year-old audience segment, and that attendance at movie
theatres remains constant among heavy moviegoers and millennials.
Success stories


-- In 2014, nine Canadian films earned more than $1 million each at the
Canadian box office, including Mommy, The Grand Seduction, 1987 and Dr.
Cabbie.
-- In 2014, the Canadian industry spearheaded 67 coproductions, with total
production budgets amounting to $527 million. Over the past 10 years,
total Canadian coproduction budgets amounted to $4.8 billion. It should
be noted that February 13, 2016 marks the 40(th) anniversary of the
creation of Telefilm's mandate to make recommendations regarding the
certification of audiovisual treaty coproductions to the Minister of
Canadian Heritage.
-- In 2014, Canadian feature films were entered in 76 international
festivals, winning 30 prestigious international awards. Highlights
included Xavier Dolan winning Best Foreign Film for Mommy at France's
César Awards--the first-ever win in this category by a Canadian
director--and a record 10 Canadian features at the 2015 Sundance Film
Festival.
Administrative excellence


-- For 2014-2015, Telefilm's management-expense ratio stood at 5.3%, the
lowest in the organization's history. Over the last four fiscal years,
Telefilm has transferred a total of $6.7 million in administrative
budget saving back into its funding programs.
-- 85% of Telefilm clients stated they are satisfied with the services they
receive--a level that exceeds the target rate of 80%.
-- The Canada Media Fund renewed its service agreement for a three-year
period.
About Telefilm Canada's Annual Public Assembly
Telefilm will shortly post online the speeches delivered at its Annual Public Assembly as well as answers to questions received from attendees. Check out the Speeches section on Telefilm's Website.

About Telefilm Canada--Inspired by talent. Viewed everywhere.
Created in 1967, 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 regarding the certification of audiovisual treaty coproductions to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund and the Talent Fund, a private donation initiative. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/telefilmcanada.



SOURCE Telefilm Canada

Telefilm Canada

CONTACT: Media enquiries: Douglas Chow, Head, Public Relations, Telefilm Canada, (514) 283-0838 ext. 2048 or 1-800-567-0890, douglas.chow@telefilm.ca

Web Site: http://www.telefilm.ca/


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