CFC Worldwide Short Film Fest: June 16-21...

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Presented by TELUS, CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival, North America’s largest short film festival, returns for its 15th annual edition June 16-21.

Showcasing the best shorts from around the world, CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival will screen contemporary short films in 31 programs selected from 3966 submissions.

"...An economic downturn doesn’t mean you can’t still travel the world. You may just need to do it from the comfort of a theatre seat! Presenting audiences with a wide-ranging collection of 295 shorts from 46 countries around the globe the WSFF offers something for everyone. From film festival winners to premieres, each 90-minute program screens from 5 to 22 films allowing viewers a rare opportunity to see some of the finest short films on a large screen format. In addition to the screenings, an increasing number of international buyers, delegates and industry professionals will attend the WSFF to participate in a full slate of conference and market events held throughout this 6-day event..."

“This has been an extraordinary year for short filmmaking as a whole," said Eileen Arandiga, Festival Director.

"The overwhelming number of submissions we received this year is definitive proof that the short film form continues to be a tour de force in the world of moving pictures...Indeed short film is not just a stepping stone to a feature film, it is a fully formed genre in its own right and filmmakers are choosing to use this powerful platform in realizing their cinematic visions. Our programming team watched films from all four corners of the globe and we were – once again - astounded by the sheer volume and quality of work being made not just here in North America but from places as far as Bangladesh, Cuba, Burkina Faso and Peru. I feel very confident in saying that this year’s Worldwide Short Film Festival is shaping up to be the very best ever..."

CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival is the leading venue for the exhibition/promotion of short film in North America and one of the premier short film festivals in the world.

Offering more than 198 Premieres, 70% of the festival’s films are being screened in Toronto for the first time, including 32 World Premieres.

Offering one of the largest prize packages for short film in the world, top WSFF winners are eligible for both US Academy Award and Canadian Genie Award consideration.

In addition, the WSFF Short Films, "Big Ideas Symposium" offers professional development, while the 'WSFF Business Centre' is home to the largest short film marketplace in North America...

"Victoria Day" Screening Ticket Give-Away...

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TorontoFilm.Net has double-pass tickets to give-away for a special presentation of Sundance favourite, "Victoria Day", screening Thursday, June 11 @ Toronto's Varsity Cinemas, 55 Bloor Street West.

"Victoria Day" marks the feature directorial debut of Canadian prose writer David Bezmozgis, inspired by his experiences as the son of Russian immigrants who emigrated from the Soviet Union in the 1980s, following 'Ben Spektor', a 16 year-old who has to deal with several life-altering incidents.

"...It is the long Victoria Day weekend, and with the Stanley Cup playoffs afoot, the summer of 1988 arrives in Toronto. Ben hits the Bob Dylan show with his buddies and runs into Jordan Chapman, the class bully and Ben's tormentor on the hockey rink. Jordan is five dollars shy of a bag of drugs, and Ben begrudgingly spots him the dough. But the next day, Jordan fails to show up at school or hockey practice. With days passing and Jordan 's whereabouts a mystery, Ben finds himself in an uncomfortable predicament, especially when a romance with Jordan's sister tentatively blooms in the midst of the ordeal..."

The film stars Mark Rendall ("Charlie Bartlett") as Spektor alongside Canadian actors Holly Deveaux, John Mavro, Scott Beaudin and Melanie Leishman. Stage actors Sergiy Kotelenets and Nataliya Alyexeyenko play Ben’s parents.

"Victoria Day" is written/directed by David Bezmozgis, produced by Judy Holm and Michael McNamara of Markham Street Films and by Bezmozgis under his Nada Films company. Robin Cass and Anna Stratton of Toronto 's Triptych Media are executive producers.

To be eligible to win tickets to the Toronto screening, send your name, city and telephone number to : commandentertainment@yahoo.com

Starz Animation Toronto Wraps "9"...

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Starz Animation Toronto, has wrapped the Tim Burton animated production "9".

In addition, Starz reports that Elton John continues producing the CG spoof of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", titled "Gnomeo and Juliet", with Premier Dalton McGuinty, representing the province of Ontario, giving Starz $23 million from Ontario's $1 billion next generation jobs fund, to help the company, which opened in 2007, to create and preserve about 250 jobs, including 40 more animators slated to be hired by year's end.

John and partner David Furnish are producing the musical comedy through Rocket Pictures, describing the film as the story of 'Romeo and Juliet' with garden gnomes as the main characters, starring actress Emily Blunt and featuring both old/new music written with song collaborator Bernie Taupin.

"Bernie and I are writing the music," said John.

"We're using a lot of Elton John catalogue in it as well."

The feature is being distributed by Disney's Miramax.

The computer-animated "9," produced by Tim "Batman" Burton is based on the Oscar-nominated short, featuring the voice talents of Jennifer Connelly ("A Beautiful Mind"), Elijah Wood ("The Lord of the Rings"), John C. Reilly ("Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby") and Christopher Plummer ("The Sound of Music"). The film was written/directed by Shane Acker, set in a post-apocalyptic future where ragdolls are pursued by a mechanized beast that steals souls, until hope comes from one resourceful doll, known as number '9'...

CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival: June 16-21...

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This year's "CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival", noted as the premier venue for the exhibition/promotion of short film in North America, takes place in Toronto, June 16-21, dedicated to celebrating the quality and creative range of short films.

With annual film short submissions surpassing 3000, programmers select 250 shorts from more than 80 countries for five days of public screenings.

As one of only three festivals in Canada accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, winners of the Best Live-Action Short and Best Animated Short are eligible for Oscars while Canadian award winners are eligible for the Genie Awards.

Presenting over $125, 000 in cash and prizes, the CFC festival offers one of the largest prize packages for short film in the world.

In addition to screenings, the Festival draws buyers, distributors, industry delegates and filmmakers together, with the Short Films BIG IDEAS Symposium, offering professional development opportunities in a series of seminars, panels and workshops on the art and commerce of short filmmaking...

Toronto Film Production Update...

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Border, The
Jun 01/09- Oct 15/09

Bridge, The
Aug 13/09- Aug 19/09

Degrassi: The Next Generation
Jun 19/09- Oct 09/09

Harden Steele
May 08/09- May 09/09

Little Mosque on the Prairie
May 05/09- Jul 31/09

Majority Rules
Jan 12/09- Jun 01/09

Next Star, The
May 02/09- Oct 18/10

Pillars of Freedom
May 05/09- May 22/09

Warehouse 13
Feb 20/09- Jun 18/09

Armoire, The
May 30/09- Jun 06/09

Everything She Ever Wanted
Mar 30/09- May 11/09

Flashpoint II
Jan 07/09- Aug 04/09

Forbidden Fruit
May 09/09- May 10/09

Scott Pilgrim
Mar 30/09- Aug 06/09

"Hot Docs" Wraps Record-Breaking Fest...

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Michael Stevens reporting from Toronto...

The 2009 edition of Toronto's "Hot Docs" wrapped its most successful festival to date May 10, with audience numbers reaching an estimated 122,000, marking a 42% increase over
2008.

The 11-day event starting April 30, featured 266 public screenings of more than 171 films @ seven Toronto theatres, a conference/market for doc professionals and 'Docs For Schools', an education program for youth.

Of the 107 screenings, the box office saw a 25% increase in public pass sales, gathering more than 100 filmmakers/special guests from across Canada and around the world to present films and moderate post-screening Q&A sessions with audiences.

"Our guest filmmakers consistently rave about what great audiences we have in Toronto," said Chris McDonald, executive director, "Hot Docs", "and we are thrilled that record numbers turned out to see their great films".

After the final screening May 10, were tallied for the 'Hot Docs Audience Award', with "THE COVE" (D: Louie Psihoyos; USA ), emerging the winner, focusing on a gripping intervention to end dolphin slaughter in Japan .

"...This thriller is compulsory viewing for anybody who believes in the power of documentary to right a wrong. In the 1960s, Richard O'Barry was the world's leading authority on dolphin training, working on the set of the popular television program Flipper. Day in and day out, O'Barry kept the dolphins working and television audiences smiling. But one day, it all came to a tragic end. The Cove, directed by top dive photographer Louie Psihoyos, tells the amazing story of how Psihoyos, O'Barry, and an elite team of activists, filmmakers, and freedivers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate a hidden cove in Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret. The mysteries they uncovered were only the tip of the iceberg. Already the Audience Award-winning film at Sundance 2009, The Cove is a potent, unforgettable work, and sure to be one the year's most acclaimed documentaries..."



The top ten audience favourites as determined by audience vote are:

1. THE COVE (D: Louie Psihoyos; USA)

2. 65 REDROSES (D: Philip Lyall, Nimisha Mukerji; Canada)

3. INSIDE HANA’S SUITCASE (D: Larry Weinstein; Canada , Czech Republic)

4. BEST WORST MOVIE (D: Michael Paul Stephenson; USA)



5. A HARD NAME (D: Alan Zweig; Canada)

6. OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY (D: Michel Orion Scott; USA)



7. WINNEBAGO MAN (D: Ben Steinbauer; USA)



8. BURMA VJ (D: Anders Høgsbro Østergaard; Denmark)



9. ROUGH AUNTIES (D: Kim Longinotto; UK)

10. PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI (D: Paul Saltzman; Canada)

"Hot Docs": "Action Boys"...

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Screening @ Toronto's "Hot Docs" is the Korean film "Action Boys", directed by Byung-Gil Jung.

"...Anyone with an admiration for Asian action films knows that the genre's acrobatic stunt work is decidedly more realistic than the cushy, impressionistic green-screen stunts of Hollywood fare (workplace safety standards evidently aren't the same overseas). And no one knows this better than Jung Byung-Gil, a perpetual dreamer and movie junkie who is determined to become the next Stephen Chow. A delightfully sweet and self-deprecating look at one man's transition from film geek to stunt man, Action Boys follows Jung and several of his classmates as they audition for and attend the Seoul Action School. The grueling training program takes its toll (only seven of the 34 students who begin the program graduate) but the survivors earn spots in such cult Korean action pics as City of Violence and The Host. Action Boys is an endearing, tongue-in-cheek look at where your love for the movies can take you..."

"Hot Docs": "Carmen Meets Borat"...

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Life in the tiny rural village of Glod, Romania is pretty uneventful for 17-year-old Carmen. She works in her father's bar, waiting on layabouts, watching Spanish soap operas, and planning a life far, far away. But when crews from Sacha Baron Cohen's "Borat" film arrive, everything changes.

Speaking no English, the townsfolk mistake it for a real documentary and respected villagers like Carmen's father and grandfather happily mug for the camera.

When they see themselves portrayed on screen as Kazakhstani whores, thieves, and abortionists, the village is horrified and big city lawyers channel their outrage into a $30-million lawsuit against the studio, with fantasies of fantastic wealth spreading like wildfire.

Even Carmen begins to reconsider her prospects in Glod, but village greed and suspicion soon catch up to her.

Director Mercedes Stalenhoef uncovers a story in this darkly comic film about pride, betrayal, and Borat...

"Hot Docs": "Zombie Girl: The Movie"...

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"Zombie Girl: The Movie", playing at this year's "Hot Docs", chronicles the creative passion of Emily Hagins, a pre-teen girl following her filmmaking dreams.

"...Most twelve-year-olds are busy with friends, homework, and online chatting. So is Emily, but she found time to write and direct a feature-length zombie movie as well. ZOMBIE GIRL: THE MOVIE documents the exhilarating and heartbreaking two years it took her to make it. With the help of her mother as agent, crew, and biggest fan, Emily launches an epic adventure in genre filmmaking, battling everything from budget shortfalls to self-doubt, all while coming of age as a teenager. Emily has the vision and her mom has the driver’s license. Together, their journey is an enlightening look at a growing world of young moviemakers and the bloodiest mother/daughter story you’ve ever seen..."

Sneak Peek "Degrassi Goes Hollywood"...

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The Toronto-lensed CTV series "Degrassi: The Next Generation" has produced its first full-length feature, partly filmed in Los Angeles and Toronto last year.

The film will debut on US-based "The N Channel" later this summer.

"Degrassi Goes Hollywood", follows 'Manny' and 'Paige' as they compete for acting parts in Los Angeles.

"Degrassi: The Next Generation" TV series finished airing its ninth season earlier this year...

"Hot Docs": Distribution Panel...

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Filmmakers attending a Toronto "Hot Docs" distribution panel were told by Annie Roney, president of Roco Films International, that a new paradigm in distribution has emerged, one that sees producers and sales agents dividing up theatrical, broadcast, DVD and online media rights, before finding the best partner to exploit each venture.

“An all-rights deal may not turn out to be what a filmmaker hoped for", said Roney, "and may not serve them as well as an organic deal that parses rights.”

Louise Rosen, managing director of Louise Rosen Ltd., also urged that a back-end deal that launches a film in partnership with a sales agent “seems to be the most satisfying for the filmmaker” adding that factual films continue to find homes with broadcasters and a growing educational market.

Anais Clanet, head of sales/acquisitions at Paris-based Wide Management, noted that doc makers are drawing back from all-rights deals, but Laure Parsons, director of home media sales/marketing at Zeitgest Films said "If you 'piecemeal' a film, you may not get as large a bang for your buck.”


Zeitgeist recently acquired US rights to Jennifer Baichwal’s “Act of God,” which opened Hot Docs May 1...

"Hot Docs": "Invisible City" by Hubert Davis- May 2...

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"Invisible City", the story of two friends in Toronto, is having its world premiere tonight @ Toronto's "Hot Docs", directed/edited by Oscar-nominated film-maker Hubert "Hardwood" Davis, produced by Mehernaz Lentin and the National Film Board's Gerry Flahive, Silva Basmajian, written by Sondra Kelly, Hubert Davis and Mehernaz Lentin. DP is Christopher Romeike, with music composed by Fraser MacDougall and Michael White of Imprint Music.

Shot over three years, "Invisible City" is an intimate portrait of two boys crossing into adulthood with mothers and mentors rooting for them to succeed, but an environment luring them to poor choices. Amid the pressures of high school and harsh realities, their voices express angst, alienation, hopefulness and understanding.

In Toronto’s Regent Park, Canada’s largest and oldest inner-city housing project, Kendell and Mikey, have adapted to their surroundings and the process of transformation. Half-demolished buildings, fenced construction zones and vacant lots dot the landscape as the Regent Park Revitalization project proceeds.

With Regent Park’s reputation for gun violence and racial profiling, the film weaves together the truths of these two friends at a cross-roads in their lives; of the black teacher who comes back to the community to be a male role model to fatherless boys.

Mikey commutes to a high school in a tony North Toronto neighbourhood - a few subway stops and a world away - where he’s a star basketball player. But Mikey’s story takes a hard turn when he’s jailed for joy-riding in a stolen car. Tension grows with his mom. She sees her son becoming an irresponsible 'man-child', while he fears that turning his back on his friends will make him look 'soft'.

Kendell, meanwhile, has turned responsible. With a history of anger issues and expulsions, his new high school leaves no room to repeat mistakes. Kendell’s escape route is also basketball, an athletic scholarship to an American university. His overriding goal: to get out, any way he can.

Davis sensitively depicts the disconnection of urban poverty and race from the mainstream in "Invisible City". The shiny glass towers, which rise to completion, beckon a new era and Regent Park will finally emerge from the shadows and stigma.

But will Kendell and Mikey be as fortunate?

"Invisible City" is produced by Industry Pictures/Shine Films in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada, in association with TVO, Knowledge Network, SCN and with the participation of the Canadian Television Fund and the Canadian Cable Industry: CTF License Fee Program...

"Hot Docs" Opening Night: "Act Of God"...

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Michael Stevens reporting from Toronto...

The 16th edition of Toronto's Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, opened April 30 and will run to May 10.

From a record 1948 film submissions, this year’s slate offers 171 titles from 39 countries in 10 programs.

Thursday, April 30, for the first time "Hot Docs" expanded its Opening Night celebration to include a VIP cocktail reception at the historic Elgin Theatre on Yonge, followed by a screening in the Winter Garden of Jennifer "Manufactured Landscapes" Baichwal's "Act Of God".

"Act Of God", a Canwest-Hot Docs Funds Recipent, best described as 'a visually and aurally seductive reverie' is an electrifying new film, exploring the metaphysical effects of literally being struck by lightning.

"I can't accept that it happened for a reason," said James O'Reilley, who was hit by a strike and survived.

"Nor can I really accept that there is no reason. The only way to carry on is to be humble and a little bit in awe of these things you can't really understand."

For writer Paul Auster, involved in a strike at age 14, being hit by lightning deeply affected his life and art.

"It opened up a whole realm of speculation that I've continued to live with ever since."

Following the screening, guests were invited to attend a gala party at the Royal Ontario Museum Chen Galley, with proceeds in support of 'Docs For Schools', launched in 2006 as a way of giving students in the Toronto area access to free doc screenings throughout the Fest, in cinemas and at their schools...

"Hot Docs": "Paris 1919"- May 1 and May 10...

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Directed by Paul Cowan, produced by Gerry Flahive, Paul Saadoun and narrated by Canadian actor R.H. Thomson, the doc "Paris 1919", a National Film Board of Canada co-production had its North American premiere May 1 @ Toronto's "Hot Docs", with an encore screening scheduled for May 10.

"...For six months in 1919, Paris was the capital of the world. The last shots had just been fired in the most devastating war of all time - and the old global order lay in tatters. Delegations from over 30 nations urgently descended upon Paris for the most ambitious peace talks in history. At the helm were the Big Four - President Woodrow Wilson along with leaders of France, the UK and Italy.

They endeavored to engineer a peace treaty 'for all time', creating instead an embittered Germany already dreaming of retaliation - and creating contentious new entities like Iraq and Yugoslavia..."

Inspired by author Margaret MacMillan's novel, "Paris 1919", goes inside this singular event with a vivid sense of character and narrative, in a compelling story that blends re-enactments with archival images, as director Cowan captures the drama of diplomacy, evoking the atmosphere of a metropolis returning to life and a disquieting reflection on one of history's great missed opportunities.

"I am extremely happy with the warm reception audiences around the world have already given 'Paris 1919', but as a Canadian filmmaker, distribution in my home country is where my heart lies,” said Cowan.

"There is no other festival in the world that means as much to me as Hot Docs..."

Toronto's "Hot Docs": April 30- May 10

Michael Stevens reporting from Toronto...

The 16th edition of Toronto's Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, runs April 30-May 10.

From a record 1948 film submissions, this year’s slate will present 171 titles from 39 countries in 10 programs, with additional screenings recently added.

"These are wild times," said Sean Farnel, Hot Docs director of programming.

"But as a reflection of the present, documentary continues to be a vibrant storytelling form, helping us to make sense of the world, even as it enlightens, entertains and empowers our audiences."

In addition to previously announced Special Presentations, including opening night world premiere of Jennifer Baichwal’s Act Of God, other high-profile films in the Special Presentations program include Kirby Dick’s Outrage, an indictment of American politicians, the international premiere of Louie Psihoyos’ The Cove, focusing on an intervention to halt dolphin slaughter; Gary Hustwit’s Objectified, a look at our relationship with manufactured objects and the Canadian premiere of Mercedes Stalenhoef’s Carmen Meets Borat, a comedy about Romanian villagers who were misrepresented as Kazakhstani idiots in the comedy feature Borat.

Additionally, three Canadian films screening as Special Presentations include the world premiere of Kevin McMahon’s Waterlife, an immersion into the beauty and toxicity of North America's Great Lakes, the world premiere of Larry Weinstein’s Inside Hana's Suitcase and the North American premiere of John Greyson’s Fig Trees.

In the competitive Canadian Spectrum program, 10 feature-length films will be receiving world premieres, including Philip Lyall and Nimisha Mukerji’s 65 Red Roses about the online friendship of three young women awaiting transplants, Larry Young’s Ana Arthur, looking at the end of a marriage between a 70-year-old female doctor and her 35-year-old husband, Rosie Dransfeld’s Broke, a vérité look at an Edmonton pawnshop, Barry Greenwald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril’s The Experimental Eskimos, following a government experiment that removed three Inuit boys from their families, Alan Zweig’s A Hard Name, Hubert Davis’ Invisible City, Albert Nerenberg’s Laughology, Alison Rose’s Love At The Starlite Motel and Sarah Goodman’s When We Were Boys, a glimpse into the lives of students at a private boys’ school.

In the competitive International Spectrum program, notable films include the world premiere of Mads Brügger’s The Red Chapel, following the exploits of a Danish journalist and two comedians in North Korea, the world premiere of Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson’s Mugabe and the White African, a look at one farmer’s attempt to save his farm from a land reclamation policy, the world premiere of Mary Rosanne Katzke’s About Face: The Story Of Gwendellin Bradshaw, focusing on a young women who seeks to reunite with a mentally ill mother, the international premiere of Samantha Buck’s 21 Below, the international premiere of Eric Daniel Metzgar’s Reporter, following Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof as he reports on the humanitarian crises in the Congo, the international premiere of Aron Gaudet’s The Way We Get By, a look at three seniors who greet American troops returning from war, the North American premiere of Peter Liechti’s The Sound Of Insects- Record Of A Mummy, recreating one man’s solitary last days, the North American premiere of Fabienne Godet’s My Greatest Escape, a character study of a career criminal, the North American premiere of Peter Kereskes’ Cooking History, with military cooks offering perspectives on the 20th century’s major conflicts, the Canadian premiere of Yoav Shamir’s Defamation and the Canadian premiere of Simone Bitton’s Rachel, investigating the death of a young peace activist.

Other screening programs at this year’s Festival include World Showcase, a popular survey of compelling docs from around the globe, Made in South Korea, a revealing look at new work from this burgeoning doc centre and Let’s Make Money, a look at the need and greed surrounding money.

Additionally, Hot Docs will present the retrospective programs Focus on Ron Mann, a mid-career retrospective, the Outstanding Achievement Award Retrospective, honouring Canadian filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin and the Spotlight on the NFB at 70, featuring National Film Board titles selected by guest programmers.

Hot Docs is North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market. running April 30-May 10, 2009, presenting a selection of 170+ documentaries from Canada and around the world to Toronto audiences and international delegates.

Hot Docs will also mount a roster of conference sessions, market events and services for documentary practitioners, including the Toronto Documentary Forum May 6-7 and The Doc Shop...

Toronto's "Repo! The Genetic Opera"...

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Toronto Start for CTV/CBS Paramount's "The Bridge"...

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E1 Entertainment, 990 Multi Media Entertainment Company and Jonsworth Productions, in association with CTV and CBS Paramount Network Television report that principal photography is underway on the original Canadian drama series, "The Bridge".

Originally commissioned as a two-hour movie of the week and back-door pilot by CTV, 11 episodes will be shot on location in and around Toronto until August 12 to round out the first season.

This start of production follows February’s (2009) joint announcement by CTV and CBS of the deal to broadcast "The Bridge" in the United States.

"The Bridge" is the third series from E1 Entertainment to be picked up by a high-profile U.S. network in the last 18 months, and the first for 990 Multi Media Entertainment Company. The CBS deal also marks the third Canadian drama series from CTV to be picked up by a major U.S. network in the last 20 months.

"...Informed by the insights of veteran insider and outspoken former Toronto police union head Craig Bromell, The Bridge reveals the struggle of street cops who not only battle criminals, but also their own bosses in order to protect society and, ultimately, themselves. The series will take viewers beyond the blue line, offering a glimpse of the police, power and politics that unfold behind the scenes.

The Bridge follows fictional character 'Frank Leo' (played by Aaron Douglas of 'Battlestar Galactica') and his climb from street cop to union head where he begins his quest to clean up the force. But the old boys network running the police force, and the city’s self-serving politicians, won’t sit idly by while a former street cop makes up his own rules..."

Slated to direct the series are John Fawcett ("Da Vinci’s Inquest") , Holly Dale ("Durham County"), Paul Kaufman ("Run the Wild Fields"), Helen Shaver ("We All Fall Down/Just Cause") and Stuart Margolin ("Rockford Files").

Heading up the writing team is Alan Di Fiore ("Da Vinci’s Inquest")...

Lantos Believes In "Barney's Version"...

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Toronto-based producer Robert Lantos has acquired "Barney's Version", by Canadian author Mordecai Richler , to be adapted as a feature by Lantos' Serendipity Point Films and Italian-based Fandango, starring actor Paul "Pentagon Papers" Giamatti.

The film will start in August, lensing in Rome, Montreal, New York and Quebec's Laurentian Mountains, directed by Richard J. Lewis, of "C.S.I." fame.

Lantos peviously produced a 1985 feature adapting Richler's "Joshua Then And Now", starring actor James Woods.

Published in 1997, Richler's "Barney's Version" is written as an autobiography by 'Barney Panofsky', recounting his life in varying detail that includes friendship, romance and murder...

June Start For Toronto's "Copper"...

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According to reports, the upcoming Global TV drama "Copper", set to start production in Toronto, June 2009 has been picked up by the US ABC TV network.

"Copper" is described as a 'character-driven workplace drama' about five rookie police officers plunged into the high stakes world of big city policing.

The new series was co-created by Tassie Cameron, co-executive producer of CTV's Toronto-shot "Flashpoint," which was picked up last year by CBS.

CTV's new Toronto-lensed crime drama "The Bridge" has also been picked up by CBS, while CTV's "The Listener," about a telepathic paramedic, is set to air on NBC...

Mae Whitman Is 'Roxy Richter'...

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Imax: A Premium Price For A Premium Experience...

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"It seems that consumers are willing to pay a premium price for a premium experience, even in this environment," said Richard Gelfond chief executive of Toronto-based Imax Corp.

"I would be surprised to see the economic factors affect our box office unless (the environment) materially worsens..."

NBC and CFC Mentoring Canadian Writers...

NBC Universal has partnered with the Toronto-based Canadian Film Center to launch a talent development/mentoring program designed to generate projects for NBC U-owned outlets.

The NBC Universal Content Creator Program will issue a call for script submissions from Canadian swriters, with CFC and NBC U execs selecting candidates to take part in the program, which will formally launch in the fall.

NBC U's TV production arm, Universal Media Studios, will appoint an exec to serve as the permanent liaison to the program, which will largely consist of forums and workshops at CFC's Toronto HQ.

NBC Universal will have the option to further develop any scripts and concepts generated by participants in the program. The focus will initially be on TV programming, but the plan is to expand eventually into film.

The NBC Universal-CFC program has been spearheaded by CFC exec director Slawko Klymkiw, Angela Bromstad, prexy of primetime for NBC/UMS and Ron Suter, NBC U TV Distribution's exec veep and general manager for Canada...

John Cleese @ Toronto's "Just For Laughs"- July 18...

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The Toronto "Just For Laughs" Festival presented by WestJet will host actor/comedian John Cleese @ the Westjet "Just For Laughs" Britcom Galas presented in association with Jacob's Creek at Massey Hall, July 18, 2009 at 7:00pm and 9:30pm.

An Oscar-nominated actor, writer, producer and director, Cleese is best known for his contributions to comedy through the UK TV series 'Monty Python', 'Fawlty Towers', the feature 'A Fish Called Wanda' and guest appearances on US TV series including 'Third Rock from the Sun', 'Will and Grace' and 'Cheers', for which he won an Emmy Award for 'Outstanding Guest Performer'.

Recent film work includes 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets', 'Charlotte’s Web' and 'Shrek '.

Now entering its third year, the Toronto "Just For Laughs" Festival presented by WestJet has already entertained over 250,000 fans, generating more than $10 million of tourism and economic activity.

"...More than just a platform for entertainment, it is also a viable economic engine that creates jobs in the cultural sector and supports continued employment in all aspects of the tourism industry. The vision for the Toronto Festival is to invest in its operation in Ontario by establishing creative business units in all areas of comedy management, production and distribution. This new venture will focus on enhancing Just For Laughs' international comedic repertoire by adding a multi-ethnic and foreign language component, thus recognizing the unique diversity of Toronto and southwest Ontario..."

The third annual Toronto Just For Laughs Festival presented by WestJet will be held July 15–19, 2009 at several key venues. Details including locations, schedules and performers TBA...

"U.S. Attorney" Shoots Up The Esplanade...

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According to "U.S. Attorney" Location Manager Melissa Warry-Smith, residents/merchants in the area of Fionn MacCool's Bar @ 70 The Esplanade in downtown Toronto near Front Street were notified that on Tuesday March 31, Tower Films Inc. will be filming Interior and Exterior scenes fat the pub, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Actor Jason Clarke stars in the CBS Paramount TV pilot, following a team of federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan.

Clarke plays a powerful section chief who oversees four lawyers and a handful of paralegals in overlapping cases...