Telefilm Canada Invests $26.4 Million In 13 Big-Budget Projects In The English Market


Press release from Telefilm Canada

May 1, 2024

Telefilm Canada is announcing its investment of $26.4 million in 13 projects in the English market under the Production Program, as part of the first round of decisions in the big budget stream including international co-productions.


111 (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Mauro Mueller

Production: Auguste Content Inc.

Distribution: Elevation Pictures

Province: Nova Scotia

Languages: English, German, and French

*Switzerland/Canada coproduction


Dear World (drama)

Director: Kim Nguyen

Screenwriters: Lara Alameddine and Kim Nguyen

Production: Item 7 Inc.

Distribution: Elevation Pictures

Province: Quebec

Language: Mainly in Arabic


Dreams of the Moon (family drama)

Director: Alfons Adetuyi

Screenwriter: Dennis Foon

Production: Big Nickel Films Inc.

Distribution: Elevation Pictures

Province: Ontario

*Canada/South Africa coproduction


Heather of the Valley (comedy)

Director: Sheri Elwood

Screenwriter: Kate Spurgeon

Production: First Generation Media Inc.

Distribution: Elevation Pictures

Province: Ontario

*Ireland/Canada coproduction


 Holy Days (family comedy)

Director and screenwriter: Nathalie Boltt

Production: Snow Globe Pictures Ltd.

Distribution: Photon Films

Province: British Columbia

Languages: English and Māori

*New Zealand/Canada coproduction


House of Stairs (science fiction)

Director: Wi Ding Ho

Screenwriter: Matthew McInerney-Lacombe

Production: Band With Pictures Inc.

Distribution: Elevation Pictures

Province: Quebec

*Canada/Belgium/France coproduction


 In Alaska (drama)

Directors and screenwriters: Jaap van Heusden and Vincent Karetak

Production: Experimental Forest Films Inc. and Uuktumiaq Studios Inc.

Distribution: Elevation Pictures

Province: British Columbia

Languages: English and Inuktitut

*Netherlands/Canada coproduction


 In the Heart of the South (drama)

Director: Nyla Innuksuk

Screenwriters: Ryan Cavan and Nyla Innuksuk

Production: Sphere Media Toronto Inc. and Mixtape VR Inc.

Distribution: Elevation Pictures

Province: Ontario


Mizeria (comedy)

Director and screenwriter: Eva Michon

Production: Film Forge Productions Inc.

Distribution: Photon Films

Province: Ontario

Languages: English and Polish

*Belgium/Poland/Canada coproduction


 The Falling Man (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Mathieu Denis

Production: Rhombus Media Inc.

Distribution: Elevation Pictures

Province: Ontario

Languages: English and Spanish


The Keeper (thriller)

Director: Helen Shaver

Screenwriter: Graeme Manson

Production: Screen Siren Pictures Inc.

Distribution: Elevation Pictures

Province: British Columbia


The Stunt Driver (comedy)

Director and screenwriter: Michael Dowse

Production: Film Cardinal Inc.

Distribution: Mongrel Media

Province: Quebec

*Ireland/Canada coproduction


 Together (thriller)

Director: Colm McCarthy

Screenwriters: Mike Carey and Camille Gatin

Production: Omni Film Drama Development Ltd.

Distribution: Elevation Pictures

Province: British Columbia

*Canada/UK coproduction

Telefilm received an increasingly high volume of applications under the Production Program this year. In this first intake, 57 projects were assessed in the big budget stream including international coproductions, representing $128.5 million in funding requests. Telefilm met with all the teams from each of the projects. A shortlist was then created, and clients were informed before Berlinale. The project submissions were considered by the Advisory Committee.

More funding decisions, including projects from the lower budget streams in the English market, will be announced in the coming weeks. Statistics on all films funded in the year will be released once all funding decisions have been made.    

An advisory committee of external and internal representatives assessed the projects and made recommendations to Telefilm. The decision-making process considered Telefilm’s goal of fostering a diversity of voices in the industry, ensuring that Telefilm funds a balanced portfolio of productions that reflect a variety of genres, budgets and company sizes, regions of the country and points of view. Names of selection committee members will be published on the Project Financing Advisory Committees webpage once all funding decisions have been made.   

About Telefilm Canada   

As a Partner of Choice, Telefilm Canada is a Crown corporation dedicated to the success of Canada’s audiovisual industry, fostering access and excellence by delivering programs that support cultural resonance and audience engagement. With a lens of equity, inclusivity and sustainability, Telefilm bolsters dynamic companies and a range of creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual coproduction treaties to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2012, the Talent Fund raises private donations which principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/Telefilm_Canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.   

Comments