CMF Leads Canada-Focused Program at MIPCOM

TORONTO/CANNES: The Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Telefilm Canada are spearheading an exciting program that focuses on Canadian creativity and talent in science edutainment for children and sci‐fi productions targeting Millennials.

Canadian industry leaders are also sharing the country’s expertise and successes on topics such as apps, streaming platforms and 4K/Ultra HD (UHD). On October 3, four original Canadian multiplatform edutainment productions that focus on science will be presented at MIPJunior. Those titles are: L’Académie Secrète (Trio Orange), Annedroids (Sinking Ship Entertainment), Look Kool/C’est Wow (Apartment 11 Productions) and Prime Radicals (GAPC Entertainment). The following day, Blair Powers, producer and partner at Sinking Ship Entertainment, will take part in a panel about innovative storytelling across multiple devices.

On October 6 at MIPCOM, David Cormican, the executive VP of business development and production and partner at Don Carmody Television, will pair up with John Young, the managing director and partner at Temple Street Productions, on a panel discussion about how sci‐fi Canadian productions Between and Killjoys appeal to Millennials and other fans. Cast members from both productions will participate in the discussion.

Other Canadian speakers at MIPCOM include Catherine Warren, the founder and president at FanTrust Entertainment Strategies, who will moderate a panel on streaming; Carole Bonneau, the VP of French programming and content acquisitions at Corus Media; and Jared Dielwart, the chief content officer at Kidoodle.TV. In addition, Blue Ant Media’s Solange Attwood, the senior VP of international, and Vanessa Case, the executive VP of content at Blue Ant Media, will both speak about their experiences with 4K/Ultra HD.

Also in attendance is a host of talent from Canadian productions, including Blue Moon star Karine Vanasse and writer Luc Dionne; Between actors Jesse Carere and Justin Kelly; Killjoys actors Hannah John-Kamen and Aaron Ashmore; celebrity chef David Rocco; and Ricardo Larrivée, co-developer of the new series Chef in Your Ear.

This year, the Canada Pavilion, which will host approximately 70 Canadian companies, has been coordinated by Telefilm Canada and is funded by the Canada Media Fund, Creative BC, the Canadian Media Production Association, Manitoba Film and Music and the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC).

One of the main activities of the CMF is delivering financial support to the Canadian television and digital media industry through several programs that are “designed as catalysts for the creation of successful content for Canadian and worldwide audiences to enjoy and to reflect Canada’s unique cultural diversity,” said Valerie Creighton, the Canada Media Fund’s president and CEO. “We also provide industry intelligence on the Canadian and international audiovisual landscape, including blog posts from Canadian and international experts through the CMF Trends website and social-media communities.” The organization also promotes Canadian expertise and talent to international audiences at various events, including MIPCOM.

Creighton added, “At events like MIPCOM, the CMF promotes the wealth of talent and business opportunities that exist in Canada.”