First Movie from Canada’s Family Feature Production Fund

TORONTO: Corus Entertainment and Telefilm Canada have selected the first theatrical production from the Family Feature Production Fund, and principal photography has been concluded on the project.

The Family Feature Production Fund was launched to increase production of Canadian English-language live-action family movies and contributes financing for up to two such films each year, including international-treaty co-productions. The first project, tentatively titled Operation Insanity, is a comedy produced by CCI Entertainment. It tells the story of a shy, 17-year-old boy who teams up with his grandfather and his war-veteran friends to save the girl of his dreams. James Caan (The Godfather, Misery, Las Vegas, Dogville) and Dylan Everett (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Wingin' It, The Unauthorized Saved By the Bell Story) star. The film will be distributed theatrically in Canada by Elevation Pictures.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Telefilm on the first project from our Family Feature Production Fund slate of movies," said Colin Bohm, the executive VP and head of Corus Kids. "CCI has done a terrific job of delivering a compelling script and a stellar cast. This first film is a great start to broadening our content ownership."

Michel Pradier, Telefilm Canada's director of project financing, added: "Considering that younger Canadians are the heaviest consumers of films in the country, this public-private partnership with Corus Entertainment is an exciting collaboration that brings together resources in order to better achieve theatrical success of family films."

“Operation Insanity may well be the biggest family feature to come out of Canada,” said Arnie Zipursky, who serves as a producer on the film and is partner and executive producer at CCI Entertainment. “We have an outstanding international cast who will bring their vitality and talent to this timeless story of generational bonding brought to life in an inventive, adventurous and hilarious new way. We are elated to be the first feature selected as part of the Corus/Telefilm Fund. CCI has appreciated the creative collaboration with Corus over these many years."

"We are excited to work with Corus Entertainment and CCI Entertainment on this project," said Noah Segal, co-president of Elevation Pictures. "Hot off the heels of our success with Shaun the Sheep: The Movie, we look forward to adding this fantastic family film to our diverse release slate."