Keanu Barada Nikto...

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VIFF 2008: Awards Wrap-Up...

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Director Kari Skogland's "Fifty Dead Men Walking" won the Western Canada film award at the 27th Vancouver Film Festival aka VIFF 2008, wrapping a 16-day run on Friday with a gala screening of director Laurent Cantet's "Entre les murs" (The Class) .

Nine other awards were handed out, including the nonfiction feature award to Mexican doc "Born Without," directed by Eva Norvind, about Mexican actor/musician Jose Flores.

The film "Mothers & Daughters" won the audience award for the most popular 'Canadian' film.

The inaugural 'Intl. Film Guide Inspiration' award went to director Cameron Labine for his "Control Alt Delete".

The award for most promising director of a Canadian short went to Vancouver's Drew McCreadie for "The Valet."

French director Philippe Claudel's "Il y a longtemps que je t'aime" (I've Loved You So Long) won the overall audience award for best feature film.

An inaugural doc award was presented to "Throw Down Your Heart," directed by Sascha Paladino, about Bela Fleck's musical journey to Africa.

The National Film Board's award for most popular Canadian doc went to "Fierce Light: When Spirit Meets Action" by director/writer Velcrow Ripper.

The VIFF 2008 audience award for best 'environmental' film was given to director Sam Bozzo for his festival debuting doc "Blue Gold: World Water Wars"...

1st "Brazilian Film Festival Of Vancouver": Oct 22-26...

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The 1st "Brazilian Film Festival of Vancouver", created/produced by the Inffinito Group of Brazil, October 22 -26, will screen of the most recent Brazilian films, plus a special tribute to cinematographer Walter Carvalho.

"...Canada is currently an important partner for Brazil in the film and multimedia sector, with interest in developing agreements for co-productions, distribution and sales. In addition to creating new audiences and enhancing the visibility of Brazilian culture in Canada, the 1st BRAFF Vancouver establishes a bridge between both countries, promoting new business opportunities in the film industry..."

Carvalho will be honored by the Festival, October 25. Having worked on more than 60 films, winning 40 awards, audiences will learn more about this DP in the master class 'The Image of Brazilian Cinema', where Carvalho's methods, techniques, inspirations and future projects will be discussed.

October 24, the seminar 'Co-production: Brazil/Canada' will bring together Brazilian and Canadian producers to address the development of international co-productions. Topics will include models of co-productions, marketing, cultural exchange and new business between Brazilian and Canadian markets....

USA Renews Vancouver's "Psych"...

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USA Network has renewed the Vancouver-lensed TV series "Psych" for a fourth season, placing a production order for 16 more episodes.

The series captured the coveted 18-49 demo over the summer, attracting 2.24 million of that key audience, according to Jeff Wachtel, USA's executive vice president, original programming, USA Network, and co-head, original content, Universal Cable Productions.

"...'Pysch' is a key component of USA's success story," said Wachtel, "...with some of the best young demos the network has ever seen..."

The series was the #1 new show of 2006, delivering 2.52 million in P25-54 (+8% from 3Q07), 2.24 million in P18-49 (+5%) and 5.2 million total viewers (+10%).

When it aired the show in 3Q08, USA was rated #2 TV network, behind NBC's multi-million dollar Olympics, among P18-49 and P25-54 Fridays at 10P.

Premise of "Psych" focuses on police consultant 'Shawn Spencer' (actor James Roday), who solves crimes with powers of observation so acute precinct detectives think he's psychic - or at least that's what he lets them believe.

The series also stars actors Dule Hill, Corbin Bernsen, Maggie Lawson, Timothy Omundson and Kirsten Nelson, executive produced by Steve Franks, Kelly Kulchack and Chris Henze, in association with Tagline Pictures and Universal Cable Productions.

Mel Damski is executive producer/director, Saladin Patterson is co-executive producer/writer and Josh Bycel is a co-executive producer/writer...

Elans Announce Launch of New Global Awards Show...

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Submissions are officially now open for entry into the 3rd Annual ELANs, the awards show that’s become something of a phenomenon over the past two years with Hosts such as William "Star Trek" Shatner and Seth "Family Guy" MacFarlane celebrating video games, animation and, new this year, visual effects.

Now, anyone in the world from these three industry sectors can submit their work for an ELAN.

"The ELANS give all visual effects, animation and video game professionals the opportunity to showcase the best they have to offer and be complemented with what will arguably be the most coveted award in Digital Media", said Doug Campbell, President of Spin West VFX.

"The ELANs represent a unique opportunity for the industry to honour and acknowledge the talents and artistry of the people who make games," added Kelly Zmak, President of Radical Entertainment.

"We do this as our chosen profession: The ELANs provide a perfect setting to celebrate this powerful form of entertainment and art.”

The ELANs will give out 39 statues at the Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts, Saturday February 28, 2009.

All three sectors have twelve of their own categories, including one Honorary Award, one publicly chosen award and students have one for each of the three industries.

February 2, 2009 the ELANs will announce 144 nominees for their upcoming awards show.

The ELANs will also soon be putting out a call for Jurors/Judges to industry/media professionals from around the world.

In the meantime, get your submissions in by going to http://www.theelans.com and downloading the submission forms.

"If you win, you can honestly say your work or production is the best in the world", said Carinci.

1. VIDEO GAME OF THE YEAR

2. BEST CONSOLE GAME

3. BEST PC GAME

4. BEST CASUAL/ARCADE GAME

5. BEST HANDHELD GAME (psp, ds, ipod or other similar devices)

6. BEST MOBILE GAME

7. BEST SOUND in a VIDEO GAME PRODUCTION

8. BEST ART DIRECTION

9. BEST GAME DESIGN

10. OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL INNOVATION

11. VIDEO GAME HALL OF FAME

12. GAMER’S CHOICE (Publicly-voted)

ANIMATION:

1. BEST FEATURE LENGTH ANIMATED PRODUCTION

2. BEST ANIMATED TELEVISION PRODUCTION

3. BEST ANIMATED SHORT SUBJECT

4. BEST DIRECTOR for an ANIMATED PRODUCTION

5. BEST VOICE OVER in an ANIMATED PRODUCTION (All genres)

6. BEST SOUND in an ANIMATED PRODUCTION

7. BEST STORYBOARDING

8. BEST CHARACTER ANIMATION

9. BEST ART DIRECTION

10. BEST WRITING IN AN ANIMATED PRODUCTION

11. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

12. ANIMATED AUDIENCE AWARD (Publicly-voted)

VISUAL EFFECTS:

1. BEST VISUAL EFFECTS in a VISUAL EFFECTS DRIVEN FEATURE FILM

2. BEST VISUAL EFFECTS in a BROADCAST SERIES, MINISERIES or MOW

3. BEST VISUAL EFFECTS in an INDEPENDENT/SHORT FILM

4. BEST VISUAL EFFECTS SHOT

5. BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

6. BEST GROUND-BREAKING EFFECT

7. BEST DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT

8. BEST REALISTIC EFFECT

9. BEST DIGITAL AUGMENTATION

10. BEST ANIMATED CHARACTER

11. VISIONARY AWARD

12. VISUAL VIEWER’S AWARD (Publicly-voted)

STUDENT:

1. BEST STUDENT VIDEO GAME

2. BEST STUDENT ANIMATED PRODUCTION

3. BEST VISUAL EFFECTS in a STUDENT PROJECT

"Battlestar Galactica": Ghost Squadron...

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The 'Ghost Squadron', a black-ops Viper team that calls the 'Pegasus' home, joins forces with a freelance salvage team aboard the ship 'Orion's Pride'...

VIFF 2008: Film Guests Oct 6-10...

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VIFF FILM GUESTS IN TOWN October 6 – 10

CANADIAN FILMS:

FIERCE LIGHT: WHEN SPIRIT MEETS ACTION (NFB)
Velcrow Ripper Director, and others to Oct 8

Referred to as "soul force" by Gandhi and "love in action" by Martin Luther King, Velcrow Ripper (Scared Sacred) examines the roots of spiritual activism, with insight from spiritual luminaries Thich Nhat Hahn and Desmond Tutu, and activists, including Alice Walker, Julia Butterfly Hill and Daryl Hannah.

Oct 9, 10:30am Gr2

THE MORNING PARTY (short)
Evan Crow Director to Oct 11

Screens in A DERIVE program

Oct 8, 8:30pm Vancity
Oct 9, 4pm Vancity

OUT IN THE COLD (medium length)
Sarah Abbott Producer to Oct 7

Erroll Kinistino and Mathew Strongeagle Actors

An interpretation of the notorious “starlight tours” in Canada (eg Frank Paul case, etc)

Screens in MAPS program

Oct 5, 9:45pm Gr1
Oct 6, 3pm Gr1

PRINCESS MARGARET BLVD (short)
Kazik Radwanski Director and others to Oct 8

Screens in A DERIVE

Oct 8, 9:30pm Vancity
Oct 9, 4pm Vancity

DOWN TO THE DIRT
Justin Simms Director to Oct 9

This visceral and darkly humorous story of the difficult journey towards redemption is littered with empty bottles, debts and a hard-earned lesson from a Haligonian pimp Renny (Hugh Dillon). Justin Simms' film is based on the acclaimed novel by lead actor Joel Thomas Hynes.

Oct 6, 6:20pm Gr4
Oct 8, 4:30pm Pacific Cinematheque

EDISON & LEO
Neil Burns Director Oct 4 – 11

Producers are local

Canada's first stop-motion animated feature, Neil Burns' work is a sumptuous fairytale-gone-wrong about quirky inventor George T. Edison who endangers his family in a quest to create a viable electric light bulb. Somewhere beyond the realm of ordinary imagination, this is a wildly emotional roller coaster ride of adventure.

Oct 7, 7pm Gr7
Oct 9, 1pm Gr7

REAL TIME
Randall Cole Director Oct 7 – 9

Randy Quaid and Jay Baruchel deliver exceptional performances in Randall Cole's tightly focussed feature of compulsion, loss and redemption. Watch for Jayne Eastwood in a standout cameo.

Oct 7, 9:30pm Gr2
Oct 9, 11am Gr4

MY SON THE PORNOGRAPHER (medium length)
Peter Campbell Director Oct 7 – 11

Screens in PARENTING program

Oct 7, 9:30pm Pacific Cinematheque
Oct 10, 3:45pm Vancity

45 RPM
David Schultz Director Oct 8 – 11

Justine Banszky Actor Oct 5 - 12

Director Dave Schultz's nostalgic coming-of-age tale tells the story of two teenaged outsiders stuck in a small Saskatchewan town in 1960. When a rock 'n roll radio DJ promises tickets to New York as a prize for a new contest, they finally have a way to escape town--or do they?

Wed Oct 8, 7pm Pacific Cinematheque
Fri Oct 10, 1:30pm Pacific Cinematheque

INTERNATIONAL GUESTS IN TOWN OCTOBER 6 - 10

BIRDSONG (Spain)

Albert Serra Director Oct 4 - 8
Montse Triola Actor Oct 4 - 8
Mark Peranson Actor local

Albert Serra (Honor de cavalleria VIFF 06) returns with this gorgeously shot re-telling of the Three Kings biblical odyssey. Serra's penchant for stunning vistas and his profound love of, and respect for, the awesome aspects of the natural world are paramount as he follows his three wise men over mountains and through deserts on their journey to Jesus. Note: we will also be presenting Waiting for Sancho--Mark Peranson's documentary about the making of Birdsong--at this year's VIFF.

Sun. Oct 5, 6:40pm, Granville #3
Tue. Oct 7, 1:15pm, Vancity Theatre

CALIFORNIA COMPANY TOWN (USA)

Lee Anne Schmitt Director Oct 3 – 8

Lee Anne Schmitt's portrait of Californian history and development is retold through the physical traces left behind in abandoned towns and communities. The rise and fall of human fortunes and the slow dissolution of the American dream is written upon the landscape, and captured in this remarkable documentary.

Sun. Oct 5, 1:30pm, Vancity Theatre
Tue. Oct 7, 7:00pm, Cinémathèque

THIS DUST OF WORDS (USA)

Bill Rose Director Oct 5 – 9

The lines from Beckett's Molloy: "I'm all these words, all these strangers, this dust of words, with no ground for their settling, no sky for their dispersing." provide a fitting summation of Bill Rose's film portrait of Liz Wiltsee and the kindness of strangers. With an IQ of 200, Wiltsee's life and death elegantly evince the high price of genius.

Mon. Oct 6, 7:00pm, Cinémathèque
Wed. Oct 8, 11:00am, Vancity Theatre

OUR BELOVED MONTH OF AUGUST (Portugal/France)

Miguel Gomes Director to Oct 7

In the mountains of Portugal, August is traditionally a time of celebration, full of feasting, singing, jumping off bridges and various other forms of debauchery. Director Miguel Gomes combines the deep pull of history and the complexities of family through an intimate melding of fact and fiction.

Mon. Oct 6, 1:00pm, Cinémathèque

THE BETRAYAL(USA/Laos)

Ellen Kuras Director Oct 7 – 10

Award winning cinematographer Ellen Kuras' decades-long story of a family odyssey from war-torn Laos to the mean streets of New York... Replete with stunning images and a poetic, heartfelt narrative (co-constructed with subject Thavisouk Phrasavath), The Betrayal is unforgettable. "An impressive and original fusion of the political and the personal."—Newsweek

Wed. Oct 8, 7:00pm, Granville #2
Thu. Oct 9, 4:30pm, Granville #2

SLEEP FURIOUSLY (Wales)

Gideon Koppel Director to Oct 7

Gideon Koppel's film is a transcendently lovely documentary set in a small farming community in mid-Wales, a place where an ancient way of life, predicated on the rhythms of farming and the slow revolutions of the seasons, is vanishing one aged resident at a time. "The least anthropocentric film I've ever seen."--Alex Cox. Soundtrack by Aphex Twin!

Sun. Oct 5, 7:00pm, Vancity Theatre
Mon. Oct 6, 1:15pm, Vancity Theatre

IN YOUR ABSENCE (Spain)

Iván Noel Director to Oct 9

Debuting director Iván Noel fashions a beautiful coming-of-age tale with a decided twist, set in the gorgeous rolling hills and verdant fields of Andalusia in southern Spain. Haunted by the death of his father, young Pablo takes an interest in a passing stranger, in town while his car is being repaired, with unpredictable and tragic results. World Premiere.

Tue. Oct 7, 7:00pm, Granville #1
Thu. Oct 9, 1:30pm, Granville #2

BLUE GOLD: WORLD WATER WARS (USA/Canada)

Tony Clarke Co-Author Oct 8 – 10

Maude Barlow & Tony Clarke's call to arms Blue Gold: The Fight to Stop the Corporate Theft of the World's Water, forms the basis for Sam Bozzo's incendiary film that travels the world and makes explicit the connection between water and power. World Premiere.

Thu. Oct 9, 7:15pm, Granville #2
Fri. Oct 10, 1:00pm, Granville #7

LUCKY 7

Sun Koh Director to Oct 6

Bane of the Singapore censors, Sun Koh is a naughty director. She invited six other Singaporean filmmakers to join her in a game of "exquisite corpse": a chain of episodes linked only by the presence of actor Sunny Pang which mysteriously adds up to more than the sum of its parts. Singapore’s film culture has been stymied from the start by interference from the "free" world’s most conservative paternalistic government; here, for the first time outside the work of Eric Khoo and Royston Tan, it suddenly looks lively and inventive. It’s not quite as random as the exquisite corpse game strictly requires, because directors worked on each other’s episodes, but you’ll forgive the odd contrivance because the overall result is so much fun.

PACHAMAMA

Toshifumi Matsushita Director to Oct 7

Director Toshifumi Matsushita's fresh approach to the coming-of-age story is helped immeasurably by actors whose open faces and fundamental honesty can't help but shine forth. As father and son, and their huge herd of llamas, make their slow way into the mountains, the accumulation of many small details adds up into something altogether absorbing. A bit of bartered honeycomb, grief spun into song, dreams and nightmares--all are beautifully caught and the cumulative effect is powerful. There is deep warmth to Pachamama, a quality that insinuates itself gently, and with almost no self-consciousness. When they reach their final destination (Bolivia's famous Tinku festival) Kunturi feels the giddy euphoria of first love...

Sun, Oct 5th 7:00pm Empire Granville 7 Th 1
Mon, Oct 6th 3:00pm Empire Granville 7 Th 5

THE LONGWANG CHRONICLES

Yifan Li Director/Producer to Oct 7

Li Yifan's documentary chronicles, with a fiercely analytical eye, one year in the life of Longwang village, a typically poor farming village located near Chongqing, China. Li structures his film according to the traditional Chinese almanac, with various seasons revealing a different aspect of the interplay of Chinese Communist Party government and impoverished rural life today.

Mon, Oct 6th Noon Empire Granville 7 Th 5

GRANDMA AND WRESTLING

Hyung Sun Lim Director to Oct 7

Hyung-Sup visits his grandma’s home to fix her bathroom light, and gets more than he bargained for when he’s pressed to stay for dinner. Writer-director Lim Hyung-Sup has just graduated from the film department of ChungAng University...

Ellie O'Day Media Director/Canadian Images & Spotlight on France Publicist

Sony Looks Into 4K Digital Technology...

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Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced that they will use 4K digital technology in the making of most of its filmed productions.

"With the industry moving rapidly to embrace the improvement in quality that digital cinema can offer, we believe that 4K resolution gives audiences the best seat in the house," said Gary Martin, president of Production Administration and Studio Operations for Sony Pictures Entertainment.

"That's why we will be making more of our filmed productions at full 4K resolution, scanning at 4K, using a 4K workflow process, and releasing a 4K DCP to theaters. The crisp and vibrant images provided by 4K are the only way to ensure that audiences both today and in the future will really be able to see the full range of what we can capture on film."

Sony Pictures already released "Hancock" in 4K, with the motion picture grossing more than $600 million at the worldwide box office to date.

Movies released in 4K can play in theaters with either 4K or 2K projectors.

Among the next motion pictures to be digitally imaged in 4K by Sony Pictures, and available for 4K distribution, are expected to be "2012: Farewell Atlantis", currently filming in Vancouver, "Salt," and "The Green Hornet," with more new titles TBA.

"This commitment from Sony Pictures continues the momentum that is building behind 4K," said Gary Johns, vice president, Digital Cinema Systems Division at Sony Electronics.

"Exhibitors are realizing that 4K is a reality now, for enhancing their customers' experiences, and studio support is a critical element to take advantage of the superior resolution of Sony's 4K projection system. The growing number of 4K-equipped theaters will now have even more 4K content potentially available to offer their customers...."

VIFF 2008: The Dragons & Tigers Award...

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For the 15th year @ VIFF, the 'Dragons & Tigers Award for Young Cinema' to a new director from the Asia-Pacific region is given to a creative/innovative film made early in the director's career, which has not yet won significant international recognition.

With Brad Birarda continuing to sponsor the $10,000 award and the entire series, the jury for the 2008 award comprised: Ichiyama SHOZO, artistic director, Tokyo FilmEx festival and programmer for Cinema Digital Seoul; Elisabeth LEQUERET, critic for Cahiers du Cinema and Radio France Internationale, and Thai director Mr Pen-ek RATANARUANG, whose most recent feature is "Ploy".

This year's eight nominees were:
"GERMAN + RAIN" (Yokohama Satoko) - Japan, International Premiere
"KAZA-AANA" (Uchida Nobutero) - Japan, International Premiere
"LUCKY 7" (Sun Koh, K Rajagopal, Boo Junfeng, Brian Gothong Tan, Chew Tze
Chuan, Ho Tzu Nyen, Tania Sng) - Singapore
"mime-mime" (Sode Yukiko) - Japan, International Premiere
"PERFECT LIFE" (Emily Tang) - China, North American Premiere
"SWEET FOOD CITY" (Gao Wengdong) - China, North American Premiere
"SYNCHING BLUE" (Seo Won-Tae) - South Korea, Canadian Premiere
"THE 'THANK YOU' GIRLS" (Charliebebs Gohetia) - The Philippines,
International Premiere

"The eight films we watched were not all perfect," said the Jury.

"...and probably none of them was a masterpiece. But we enjoyed all of them in different ways, and found in each of them signs of great energy and talent...we want to single out two particularly strong films for Special Mentions:

"German + Rain" by Ms YOKOHAMA Satoko from Japan.
"...The main character is disturbing, yet unexpectedly fascinating. Taken with naturalistic performances from the entire cast, this is a strangely moving film..."

"Sweet Food City" by GAO Wendong from China.
"...For its use of an incredible location, and the very clever way it combines elements of documentary with fiction..."

This year's Dragons and Tigers Award goes to:

"Perfect Life" by Emily TANG from Hong Kong/China.
"...For the way it captures the harshness of Chinese reality through its fictional protagonist, and for the subtlety of its wonderfully free storytelling..."

"Perfect Life" will be screened again, Friday, October 3 at 3:45pm @ Vancouver's Vancity Theatre...

"Yogi" Is Smarter Than The Average Bear...

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Warner Bros. Pictures is developing a feature version of "Yogi Bear", the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon, with Ash "Surf's Up" Brannon attached to direct.

Joshua Sternin and Jeffrey Ventimilia, executive producers of "That '70s Show" (and screenwriters of Fox' "Tooth Fairy", currently shooting in Vancouver) are writing the screenplay.

Donald De Line is producing via his De Line Pictures, with producer Karen Rosenfelt.

The film is being developed as a live-action/animated hybrid along the lines of Fox's "Alvin and the Chipmunks", with 'Yogi Bear' and sidekick 'Boo Boo', rendered in CG.

Yogi's exploits are set in 'Jellystone Park', where he and Boo Boo steal picnic baskets, outwitting Park 'Ranger Smith'.

Yogi debuted in 1958 as a supporting character on TV series "The Huckleberry Hound Show", noted as the first 'break-out' character created by Hanna-Barbera, with a name derived from New York Yankees Hall Of Fame baseball player Yogi Berra.

In 1961 "The Yogi Bear Show" debuted, including segments featuring 'Snagglepuss' and 'Yakky Doodle'.

A musical animated feature film, "Hey There, It's Yogi Bear!", was produced in 1964.

Voiced by actor Daws Butler, Yogi was one of several Hanna-Barbera characters to have a collar, which allowed his body to be kept static with just the head redrawn in each frame when he was speaking, reducing the number of drawings needed for a seven-minute cartoon from 14,000 to 2,000...

We Watch The "Watchmen"...

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"Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore"...

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Actors Actors Chris O'Donnell and Jack McBrayer are the live-action stars of Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow's "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore", a sequel to the 2001 feature, currently filming in Vancouver for director Brad Peyton.

Andrew Lazar is producing the film for Mad Chance with former Warner Independent head Polly Cohen.

Premise of the feature continues the story of the battle between cats and dogs for control of the Earth.

Screenplay is by Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich....

VIFF 2008: "The U.S. and Us"...

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Vancouver filmmaker/performance artist C. Quinn debuted her newest doc "The U.S. and US", during the Canadian Images program @ VIFF 2008, Monday Sep 29th at the Empire Granville 7 Theatre 1.

The film will also be screened Wednesday Oct 1st at the same venue.

"...The U.S. and Us" is an intellectual romp through the changing landscape of Canada-U.S. relations. Featuring interviews with Canada’s most popular activist Maude Barlow and best-selling political authors Linda McQuaig and Mel Hurtig, the film documents growing Canadian concerns over everything from the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to the fine print of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP). Vignettes of Quinn’s performance art humourously illustrate mounting tensions over serious issues of energy, water and national security to question the future of Canadian sovereignty when American interests are at stake..."

“"The U.S. and Us" is a concise, informative, amusingly illustrated film on a topic that should be of concern to everyone in North America," said Mark Achbar, co-director of the Canadian docs "Manufacturing Consent" and "The Corporation".

Quinn’s previous doc short "Standing Still" focused on her relationship with four elderly women from Vancouver Island, winning Best Western Canadian Short at the 1996 Vancouver International Film Festival and a Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Short Film & Video Festival in 1996.

The Canadian Images program at the Vancouver International Film Festival showcases features, docs and shorts from all regions of Canada, evolving into one of the largest annual public exhibitions of new Canadian films in the world...

Battlestar Galactica: "Origins"...

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VIFF 2008: VIFF: Guests In Vancouver Sept. 29-Oct. 5...

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VIFF 2008 GUESTS:
MONDAY SEPT 29 - SUNDAY OCT 5

**Dragons & Tigers Award Nominees

PERFECT LIFE
Emily Tang Director Sept 28 -Oct 3
Keuna Chow Producer Sept 28 -Oct 3

Oct 1, 9:30pm, Vancity
Oct 2, 1:15pm, Vancity

KAZA-ANA
Nobuteru Uchida Director Sept 28 - Oct 4
Shimmon Akaho Actor Sept 28 - Oct 4
Shinichi Nabeyama Actor Sept 28 - Oct 4

Sept 29, 7:00pm Vancity
Sept 30, 1:15pm Vancity

MIME-MIME
Yukiko Sode Director Sept 28 - Oct 3

Sept 30, 9:45pm Vancity
Oct 1, 3:45am, Vancity

THE "THANK YOU" GIRLS (GBLT)
James Hohl Producer Sept 30 - Oct 4

Oct 1, 7pm Vancity
Oct 2, 3:45pm Vancity

LUCKY 7
Sun Koh Director Sept 27 - Oct 6

Sept 28, 7:15pm, Vancity
Sept 29, 3:45pm, Vancity

SYNCHINA BLUE
Won-Tae Seo Director Sept 29 - Oct 4

Sept 30, 7:30pm Vancity
Oct 1, 1:15pm Vancity

**Asian Films

THE LONAWANA CHRONICLES
Yifan Li Director/Producer Sept 27 - Oct 7

Sept 28, 6:00pm Granville 7 #5
Sept 30, 12:15pm Granville 7 #1
Oct 6, 12:00pm Granville 7 #5

HIGH NOON
Heiward Mak Director Sept 27 - Oct 2

Sept 28, 9:30pm, Granville 7 #1
Sept 29, 3:00pm, Granville 7 #1

MURAKAMI KENII TRILOAV
Kenii Murakami Director Sept 29 - Oct 3

Sept 30, 7:00pm Pacific Cinematheque
Oct 1, 10:45am Vancity

UNCONSCIOUS (short)
Yusuke Nakajima Director Sept 27 - Oct 5

Sept 29, 7:00pm, Vancity
Sept 30, 1:15PM, Vancity

ALTAR
Ilarde Rico Director Sept 28 - Oct 3

Sept 29, 9:00pm, Pacific Cinematheque
Sept 30, 10:45am, Vancity

SEOUL FARTHER THAN HEAVEN (short)
Hyung-Min Jun Director Sept 28 - Oct 2

Sept 29, 1:30pm, Granville 7 #2
Oct 1, 6:45pm, Granville 7 #2
Oct 5, 3:00pm, Granville 7 #5

TROPICAL MANILA
Sang-Woo Lee Director Sept 25 - Oct 6

Sept 27, 1:30pm, Pacific Cinematheque
Sept 28, 7:00pm, Pacific Cinematheque

GRANDMA AND WRESTLING (short)
Hyung Sup Lim Director Sept 29 - Oct 7

Sept 29, 9:30pm, Pacific Cinematheque
Sept 30, 10:45am, Vancity

HANSEL AND GRETEL
Phil-Shung Yim Director Sept 29 - Oct 4

Oct 2, 6:30pm, Granville 7 #7
Oct 3, 1:30pm Granville 7 #2

Shelly Kraicer VIFF Chinese Film Programmer Sept 26 - Oct 3
Tony Rayns Dragon & Tigers Programmer Sept 26 - Oct 3
Shozo Ichiyama Dragon & Tigers Juror Sept 27 - Oct 3
Pe-nek Ratanaruang Dragon & Tigers Juror Sept 26 - Oct 4
Elisabeth Lequeret Dragon & Tigers Juror Sept 27 - Oct 4

**Canadian Images Films

THE ISLANDS PROJECT
Michael Stadtlander Director and subject to Sept 30

Sept 30 4:30pm Gr2
Oct 7, 4:30pm Pacific Cinematheque

EN PLEIN COEUR
Stéphane Géhami Director to Sept 30
Julie Deslauriers Actress to Oct 1

Sept 29, Pacific Cinematheque, 7pm
Sept 30, Pacific Cinematheque 10:45am

SUIVRE CATHERINE
Jeanne Crepeau Director to Oct 1

Sept 29, 4:30 Pacific Cinematheque
Sept 30 9:30pm, Pacific Cinematheque
Oct 7, 11am Vancity

GENERAL IDEA: ART, AIDS AND THE FIN DE SIECLE
Annette Mangaard Producer to Oct 2

Sept 29, 9:45pm Gr1
Oct 1, 3pm Gr1

SHELTERED LIFE
Lori Lozinski (to Tues) and Kryssta Mills Co-producers (local)

Oct 2, 1:30pm Pacific Cinematheque
Oct 8, 3:45 Vancity

PASSAGE
John Walker Director to Oct 6

Oct 3,6pm Gr5
Oct 4, 3:45pm Vancity

FIERCE LIGHT: WHEN SPIRIT MEETS ACTION
Velcrow Ripper Director, and others to Oct 8

Oct 1, 7pm Gr7
Oct 2, 1pm Gr7
Oct 9, 10:30am Gr2

THE MORNING PARTY
Evan Crow Director to Oct 11

Oct 8, 8:30pm Vancity
Oct 9, 4pm Vancity

YELLOW STICKY NOTES
Jeff Chiba Stearns Director to Oct 11

Sept 29, Gr1 9:45pm
Oct 1, Gr1 3pm

GROWING OP
Michael Melski Director Oct 1 - 5

Oct 2, 9pm Gr4
Oct 4, 2pm Gr4

LET HIM BE
Peter McNamee and others Director Oct 1 -5
Sean Clement and Kathleen Munroe Actors Oct 1 - 5
Sarah Bennett Kneebone Actor Oct 2 - 5

Oct 1, 9pm Pacific Cinematheque
Oct 3, 4:30pm, Pacific Cinematheque

NEXT FLOOR
David Miller Consultant Oct 1-6

Oct 3, 7pm Vancity
Oct 5, 3:45 Vancity

FLICKER
Nick Sheehan Director Oct 2-6
Maureen Judge Oct 1-4

Oct 3, 9:30pm Pacific Cinematheque
Oct 4, 12:15 Gr1

THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE
Benoit Pilon Director Oct 2 - 6

Oct 2, 6:20pm Gr4
Oct 4, 10:30am Gr2

OUT IN THE COLD
Sarah Abbott Producer Oct 2 - 7

Screens in MAPS program
Oct 5, 9:45pm Gr1
Oct 6, 3pm Gr1

PAT'S FIRST KISS
Pat Mills Director Oct 3-6

Oct 3, 7pm Vancity
Oct 5, 3:45pm Vancity

PRINCESS MARGARET BLVD
Kazik Radwanski Director and others Oct 5-8

Oct 8, 9:30pm Vancity
Oct 9, 4pm Vancity

DOWN TO THE DIRT
Justin Simms Director Oct 5-9

Oct 6, 6:20pm Gr4
Oct 8, 4:30pm Pacific Cinematheque

**International Films

CAPTAIN ABU RAED (Jordan/USA)
Amin Matalqa Director Sept 28 - 30

Thu. Sep 25, 4:00pm, Granville #2;
Sun. Sep 28, 1:00pm, Ridge;
Mon. Sep 29, 6:30pm, Granville #3

CIRCUS ROSAIRE (USA)
Robyn Bliley Director Sept 26 - 30

Fri. Sep 26, 8:45pm, Granville #5;
Sun. Sep 28, 12:00pm, Granville #5;
Thu. Oct 9, 12:15pm, Granville #1

MOK UP ON MU (USA)
Craig Baldwin Director Sept 28 - Oct 1

Sun. Sep 28, 9:00pm, Granville #5
Mon. Sep 29, 3:00pm, Granville #5

MUST READ AFTER MY DEATH (USA)
Morgan Dews Director Oct 1 - 3

Wed. Oct 1, 7:00pm, Cinémathèque
Fri. Oct 3, 11:00am, Vancity Theatre

ONE WATER (USA)
Sanjeev Chatterjee Director Oct 1 - 4

Oct 1, 7:15 pm, GR1
Oct 3, 12 pm, GR5

LARGO (USA)
Andrew van Baal Director Oct 2 - 5

Oct 3, 9:30 pm, GR2
Oct 4, 4:30 pm, GR2
Oct 9, 11 am, VCT

(more international guests will be announced mid-week)...

Enter: Kara Zor-El...

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DC Comics character "Supergirl", created in the 1950's by Otto Binder/Al Plastino is a 'Kryptonian' named 'Kara Zor-El', the cousin of 'Kal-El', aka 'Superman', who both possess superhuman abilities under Earth's yellow sun.

'Supergirl' currently appears in the seventh season of the BC-filmed, Emmy Award-winning TV series "Smallville".

As portrayed by Toronto-born actress Laura Vandervoort, Kara was sent from Krypton at the same time as Kal-El but became trapped under a dam during a meteor shower, living in suspended animation for 18 years...

"Battlestar Galactica" : Ghosts...

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VIFF 2008: Harold Greenberg Fund Launches New Doc Fund...

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Astral Media's Harold Greenberg Fund annnounced the launch of a new doc fund during the Vancouver International Film Festival's Film & Television Forum, September 24.

The new fund of $585,000 will target independent documentary film producers with a 'Western Canadian' focus.

The envelope of money for investment in doc filmmaking that will be managed by The Harold Greenberg Fund has been allocated from residual obligations from the benefits associated with the Standard Radio/Telemedia transaction.

"We are very enthusiastic about this new fund," said John Galway, President of the Harold Greenberg Fund.

"Documentary filmmaking has its unique challenges and methodology and financing is often a challenge. We are therefore very pleased to be able to provide some assistance to producers working in this genre....The Harold Greenberg Fund has traditionally been associated with dramatic feature film financing and this new direction gives us the opportunity to apply our well-honed operating principles to support filmmaking in Canada in a whole new way."

The objective of the new documentary fund is to be able to support two to three high-quality feature length documentary projects that will be selected from a single review process and which will have the potential to be aired on multiple media platforms.

To respect the spirit of the initial commitment by Standard Radio, the documentaries should have a subject matter focus that emphasizes music in some manner.

The Harold Greenberg Fund will launch the process with an initial application deadline in January 2009..

VIFF 2008: Guests In Vancouver to Oct 1...

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CANADIAN IMAGES

SHELTERED LIFE
Carl Laudan Director Sept 25 – 28
Lori Lozinski Producer Sept 25 – 30, local
Kryssta Mills Co-producer local

For fear of her mother's safety, Josephine Nash makes a call to 911 which results in both of them being taken to a women's shelter. For Josephine, it's a radical change from her rarefied lifestyle and in the end, the shelter offers only a temporary solution. Something more drastic must be done. Carl Laudan directed this strong drama.

Sept 27, 7pm, Pacific Cinematheque
Oct 2, 1:30pm, Pacific Cinematheque
Oct 8, 3:45pm, Vancity

THE ISLANDS PROJECT
Michael Stadtlander Director/subject Sept 25 – 30

Chef/director Michael Stadtländer travels from Ontario to the Gulf Islands in an old school bus equipped with a gourmet kitchen. Celebrating the natural beauty and bounty of the islands, Stadtländer uses local ingredients to create mouth-watering works of art for the artists and farmers who live there.

Sept 28, 6:45pm Granville 7 #2
Sept 30, 4:30pm Granville 7 #2
Oct 7, 4:30pm Pacific Cinematheque

MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS
Carl Bessai Director local
Tantoo Cardinal Actor local
Babz Chula Actor local
Gabrielle Rose Actor local
Camille Sullivan Actor local

This improvised film from Carl Bessai explores the hilarious, the ridiculous and the complicated dynamics of mother/daughter relationships. Three mother/daughter pairs offer a diverse glimpse into the needs, denials and inescapable love that women experience between women. Ultimately, it is a celebration of these inexplicable, universal bonds.

Sept 28, 7pm Ridge
Oct 5, 11:30am, Granville 7 #3

EN PLEIN COEUR
Stéphane Géhami Director Sept 24 – 30
Julie Deslauriers Actor Sept 25 – Oct 1

Thirty-two-year-old Benoit and 14-year-old Jimmy are just two tormented souls looking for love: except these guys steal SUVs! In director Stéphane Géhami's Montréal, full of creepy warehouses and seedy fast-food joints, both find a kind of redemption.

Sept 29, 7pm Pacific Cinematheque
Sept 30, 10:45am Pacific Cinematheque

YELLOW STICKY NOTES (short)

Jeff Chiba Stearns Director Sept 25 – Oct 11

Sept 29, 9:45pm, Granville 7 #1
Oct 1, 3pm, Granville 7 #1

SUIVRE CATHERINE
Jeanne Crépeau Director Sept 25 – Oct 1

This charming film introduces us to filmmaker Jeanne Crépeau as she follows her new girlfriend, Catherine, to Paris and beyond. Crépeau's eye for composition, ear for dialogue and low-key sense of humour elevate this work and make it much more than the sum of its parts.

Sept 29, 4:30pm Pacific Cinematheque
Sept 30, 9:30pm Pacific Cinematheque
Oct 7, 11am Vancity

GENERAL IDEA: ART, AIDS, AND THE FIN DE SIECLE (45 min doc) – note that the main subject of the film is AA Bronson, who curated the show currently at the Artspeak Gallery at 233 Carrall)

Erupting onto the art scene in the summer of love, Toronto art collective General Idea would transform conventional ideas about art, activism and popular culture. Director Annette Mangaard celebrates their achievements and profound influence on contemporary art and the fight against AIDS.

Annette Mangaard Director Sept 28 – Oct 2

Sept 29, 9:45, Granville 7 #1
Oct 1, 3pm, Granville 7 #1

UNDER THE HOOD: A VOYAGE INTO THE WORLD OF TORTURE
Patricio Henriquez Director Sept 26 – 28

The war against terror now allows institutionalized violence to be exercised with full impunity. Director Patricio Henríquez looks back at the systematization of torture during the Catholic Inquisition in the Middle Ages, as well as at the shameful history of American complicity with torturers.

Sept 26, 9:30pm Pacific Cinematheque
Sept 28, 4:30pm Pacific Cinematheque

BOREALIS
Frank Wolf Director local

With a sense of humour and a sense of mission, Frank Wolf and his sardonic friend Taku tackle raging rapids and gruelling portages during their 3,100 km canoe trip through the Boreal forest, drawing attention to the social and environmental issues surrounding the region.

Sept 30, 9:45pm, Granville 7 #1
Oct 3, 12:15, Granville 7 #1

LES JEUX D’ENFANTS - short

Audrey Cummings Director Sept 25 – 30
ndrew Smith Actor Sept 23 – 28

Sept 27, 9:45pm Granville 7 #1
Sept 28, 12:15 Granville 7 #1

THE NATURE OF BATTLE – animated short
Nat Dart Director local

Sept 30, 9:45pm, Granville 7 #1
Oct 3, 12:15, Granville 7 #1

THE YOUNG ROMANTIC: A PORTRAIT OF YUNDI LI
Barbara Willis-Sweete Director Sept 25-27

THE U.S. AND US
Quinn Director local

Sept 29, 9:45pm Granville 7 #1
Oct 1, 3pm Granville 7 #1

ONLY
Ingrid Veninger Director Sept 25 – 29

A tender and refreshing take on romantic drama, Ingrid Veninger and Simon Reynolds' film revels in the awkwardness and weirdness of being 12, but explores first love in a pure and powerful meeting of young hearts and minds.

Sept 27, 9:45pm, Granville 7 #1
Sept 28, 12:15, Granville 7 #1

Spotlight on France

CHARLY

Isild le Besco Director Sept 25 – 30

"A delicate, sometimes hilarious coming-of-age adventure, it focuses on a diffident adolescent boy who, on impulse, sets out on a summer hitchhiking trip [and] encounters a gangly-leg young prostitute in a white rabbit-fur jacket... Eccentric and life-affirming, Charly is a no-budget gem."--Film Comment. Directed by up-and-coming actress Isild le Besco.

Sept 26, 7pm, Granville 7 #2
Sept 27, 4:30pm, Granville 7 #2
Oct 5, 11am, Vancity

Billy Crystal Sweetens "Tooth Fairy"...

Taking on his first role in a live-action studio picture since 2002's "Analyze That," Billy Crystal joins the cast of "Tooth Fairy," the Fox comedy shooting in Vancouver.

Michael Lembeck is directing.

Dwayne Johnson stars with Ashley Judd, Julie Andrews, Stephen Merchant ("The Office") and Ryan Sheckler. Johnson plays a minor league hockey player known for loosening dental work with physical play and is sentenced to serve as the real Tooth Fairy for a week.

Randi Mayem Singer ("Mrs. Doubtfire") has written the latest draft of the script. Previous drafts were by Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel and Joshua Sternin & Jeffrey Ventimilia.

Blumhouse's Jason Blum is producing with Mayhem Pictures partners Gordon Gray and Mark Ciardi.

VIFF 2008: Opening Weekend International Guests...

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INTERNATIONAL GUESTS ARRIVING OPENING WEEKEND @ VIFF 2008

Eden - Director Declan Recks - Festival Guest. Ireland

Thu. Sep 25, 10:00pm, Granville #3

Fri. Sep 26, 2:00pm, Granville #4

Eugene O'Brien's play forms the basis for Declan Recks' unravelling of a marriage in decline. Breda and Billy are approaching their 10th anniversary, but they don't have much to celebrate. Entropy has taken its toll, and the couple's painful realization of this fact is tragedy writ small. Eileen Walsh copped the best actress award at Tribeca 2008.

Magnus - Director Kadri Kõusaar - Festival Guest. Estonia/UK

Sat. Sep 27, 9:30pm, Granville #2

Mon. Sep 29, 11:00am, Granville #4

Fri. Oct 3, 1:15pm, Vancity Theatre

After a near death by overdose, young Magnus is taken in hand by his absent father for some "paternal care"--despite the fact that his stocky dad, while unwaveringly upbeat, is an unrepentant whoremonger and drug abuser... "Gently drifting between drollery and moodiness... Magnus is a profound emotional experience.... [An] astounding debut from 26-year-old writer-director Kadri Kõusaar..."--Variety

Apology of an Economic Hitman - Producer Drew Figueroa - Festival Guest. Greece

Fri. Sep 26, 7:15pm, Granville #6

Sun. Sep 28, 2:15pm, Granville #6

Thu. Oct 9, 7:15pm, Granville #6

Based on John Perkins' best-selling book, this is a savage exposé of the secret history and practice of the highly secretive cabal assigned to foster the triumph of the American global empire almost beggars belief. John Le Carré has nothing on the treachery revealed here.

Burned Hearts - Director Ahmed El Maanouni - Festival Guest. Morocco

Fri. Sep 26, 6:40pm, Granville #3

Sun. Sep 28, 2:30pm, Granville #3

Moroccan cinema comes of age in this beautifully realized drama from director Ahmed El-Maanouni. A young architect returns to his childhood home, only to be catapulted back into difficult memories of his days as a virtual slave to his ironsmith uncle. "A carefully textured reflection on the conflicts in contemporary Moroccan society."--Variety

Throw Down Your Heart - Director Sascha Paladino, Musician Bela Fleck - Festival Guests. USA

Fri. Sep 26, 6:45pm, Granville #1

Sat. Sep 27, 1:30pm, Granville #2

Mon. Oct 6, 7:00pm, Granville #2

This Buena Vista Social Club of African music features virtuoso banjo player Béla Fleck's journey to Uganda, Tanzania, Gambia and Mali to jam with superb musicians in their village settings. In Sascha Paladino's delightful film, the phrase "dueling banjos" doesn't even begin to sum up the pure joy of watching these musicians in action.

Circus Rosaire - Director Robyn Bliley - Festival Guest. USA

Fri. Sep 26, 8:45pm, Granville #5

Sun. Sep 28, 12:00pm, Granville #5

Thu. Oct 9, 12:15pm, Granville #1

For nine generations the Rosaire family has fascinated audiences around the world with their legendary animal acts. But changing mores towards animals and competition for the entertainment dollar has led to a drastic downturn for the animal-friendly circus... Robin Bliley's documentary is intimate, heartbreaking and often hilarious...

Boom! Studios Discover "Eureka" The Comic Book...

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Things start off with a bang when something menacing escapes from 'Global Dynamics' and its up to 'Carter' and 'Jo' to put together the pieces...

NBC Universal: In Search Of Vancouver Film Actors...

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Casting directors from LA-based NBC Universal are in Vancouver today and tomorrow, in search of 'ethnically diverse talent', specifically Asian, South Asian, black, First Nations and Latino actors.

"It's part of our ongoing commitment to diversity," said Kendra Carter, director of NBC's Talent Diversity Initiative.

The casting call is specifically for the locally-lensed Sci Fi Channel series "Eureka" and the USA Network series "Psych".

Through its 'DiverseCity' program, NBC Universal is also organizing a similar open casting call in Toronto next year...

Vancouver Film Production Update...

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100 Mile Challenge Reality / Lifestyle Apr 8 - Oct 17 '08
Battlestar Galactica 2009 Movie MOW Sep 2 - Sep 29 '08
The Boy Next Door MOW Aug 27 - Sep 12 '08
Cats & Dogs 2 Feature Film Sep 8 - Dec 17 '08
Chop Shop Reality / Lifestyle Jul 30 - Dec 19 '08
Eureka - Season 3 TV Series May 14 '08 - Feb 13 '09
Farewell Atlantis Feature Film Jul 28 - Dec 12 '08
George Lopez Untitled Project Digital Feature Aug 21 - Sep 26 '08
Glutton For Punishment-Season 3 Reality / Lifestyle Jun 6 - Dec 20 '08
The Guard - Season 2 TV Series Jul 2 - Sep 17 '08
Harper's Island TV Series Aug 8 - Jan 28 '09
Inseparable TV Pilot Sep 9 - Sep 26 '08
Keeping It Real Documentary Series Aug 28 - Dec 12 '08
The L Word - Season 6 TV Series Jul 2 - Oct 1 '08
Night at the Museum 2 Feature Film Jun 9 - Sep 23 '08
Psych - Season 3 TV Series Apr 28 - Oct 21 '08
Reaper - Season 2 TV Series Jul 22 - Dec 18 '08
Sanctuary TV Series May 5 - Sep 12 '08
Smallville - Season 8 TV Series Jul 7 '08 - Apr 3 '09
Smart Cookies - Season 2 Reality / Lifestyle Aug 12 - Dec 12 '08
Stargate Atlantis - Season V TV Series Feb 19 - Sep 23 '08
Storm Hawks Animation Nov 17 '07- Dec 22 '08
Supernatural - Season 4 TV Series Jul 3 - Mar 27 '09
Tidal Justice MOW Aug 27 - Sep 11 '08
Trust MOW Sep 3 - Sep 18 '08
Untitled Twisted Pictures Project Feature Film Sep 2 - Oct 2 '08
Word Travels - Season 2 Reality / Lifestyle May 27 - Sep 7 '09
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy Animation Nov 1 '07 - Feb 1 '09
Zeke's Pad Animation Mar 17 - Jan 2 '09

Plummer Connects With Toronto For "Imaginarium"...

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Toronto's Cherry Beach Sound, booked Canadian theater, film and television actor Christopher "The Silent Partner" Plummer" performing ADR for director Terry "Fear And Loathing" Gilliam's Vancouver-lensed "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus".

The session was recorded live via source-connect directly to Art4noise Studios in London England.

Plummer has won two Emmy Awards out of six nominations stretching 46 years from 1959 and 2005, and one Genie Award in five nominations from 1980 to 2004. For his stage work, Plummer has racked up two Tony Awards on six nominations. In 1968 he was a made a Companion of the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honour.

"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus", the upcoming fantasy-adventure mystery starring actor Heath ledger in his last film role, was written by Gilliam and Charles McKeown.

Premise of the film has the leader of a traveling theater troupe, cut a deal with a demon to abduct abduct audience members through a magic mirror...

VIFF 23rd Annual Film & Television Forum...

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The VIFF's 23rd Annual Film and Television Forum gets down to the serious business of financing and distribution with a world-class line-up of heavy hitters from around the globe. From co-venturing with the US to international co-productions with Ireland, Germany and Mexico, this year's seminars, Tête-à-tête meetings and Speed Dating sessions explore the innovative new paradigms in the shifting worlds of financing, distribution and marketing.

"With various major US distributors shutting down, and dwindling production dollars, it has never been more important for producers to explore new production partnerships and alternative forms of financing. The Forum presents an ideal opportunity for local producers and filmmakers to meet with key Canadian and international financing, distribution and production partners," says Forum Creative Director, Helen du Toit.

DOC Day - In Market Check: Commissioning Editors, Buyers and Funders, industry leading players including Rudy Buttignol of Knowledge Network, Scott Hooker of MSNBC and Jean-Pierre Laurendeau, of Canal D., Astral Media will advise our filmmakers on how to secure their share of the market in this multi-channel, multi-media and multiplex universe.

FILM Day - World Sales Update: Is The Sky Really Falling? features Alex Raffe (Flower and Garnet), Suraj Gohill (CIT Group, Entertainment Finance) and Nicolas Chartier (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) presenting a diversity of viewpoints on theatrical windows, indie budgets and digital distribution. Co-Production Partners: Mexico, Ireland & Germany has producers Pablo Cruz (Canana Films), David Collins (Samson Films) and Steffen Reuter (SchmidtzKatze Filmkollektiv) discussing how to forge co-production relationships with international partners in order to mitigate current market challenges.

TV Day - On Series That Have Legs, Tara Ellis (VP, Showcase and Drama Content, Canwest Media), the network creative force behind success stories like Slings & Arrows and Brett Weitz, (VP, Series Development, TNT Originals), developer of Prison Break, and Beauty and the Geek discuss how to create engaging series that resonate with viewers beyond our borders.

On the ever-popular New Filmmakers' Day session, The Times They Are A-Changin' panel serves up two unique perspectives. Matt Dentler, Head of Marketing & Programming at Cinetic Rights Management offers sage advice in steering a film through the legal complexities of the process while Lance Hammer, Director of Ballast will explain why he turned down a major distribution deal in favour of self-releasing.

Getting down to the hands-on business of structuring actual deals, the very successful Telefilm Canada Tête-à-tête Sessions bring together Western Canadian producers with top-tier international producers, sales agents and commissioning editors in one-on-one meetings. These popular, highly focused private sessions will allow established Canadian producers to pitch specific pre-selected projects with the intention of finding the optimal strategic partner to propel their projects from development to fully financed and camera-ready. Similarly, this year's Speed Dating Sessions will allow emerging Western Canadian filmmakers to pitch their projects and find potential partners in private one-on-one sessions with some of BC's most respected senior film and television executives.

The 23rd annual Film and Television Forum takes place in the Rogers Industry Centre at the Vancouver International Film Centre and Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street, September 24-26 with New Filmmakers' Day on September 27...

"Smallville": Toxic- October 2..

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"Battlestar Galactica": Origins...

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A special origin series focusing on 'Kara' and 'Helo', from the academy to their assignment onboard the 'Galactica'...