Having breathed a collective sigh of relief, Canadian film and TV players are ready for action as American production is set to return north of the border after SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
But just how soon Hollywood gets back to Canada, and how, has dominated conversations in key production hubs like Vancouver and Toronto after U.S. actors and the major studios and streamers agreed terms for a new contract.
The Canadian sector knows it won’t be as easy as turning the lights back on, as the major studios still have headwinds and roadblocks coming out of the dual strikes, including cost pressures as their streaming platforms claw their way to profitability.
“We need to temper our expectations. We’re all excited everybody’s getting back to work,” said Noel Phillips, general manager of Dufferin Gate Studios in Toronto,...
But just how soon Hollywood gets back to Canada, and how, has dominated conversations in key production hubs like Vancouver and Toronto after U.S. actors and the major studios and streamers agreed terms for a new contract.
The Canadian sector knows it won’t be as easy as turning the lights back on, as the major studios still have headwinds and roadblocks coming out of the dual strikes, including cost pressures as their streaming platforms claw their way to profitability.
“We need to temper our expectations. We’re all excited everybody’s getting back to work,” said Noel Phillips, general manager of Dufferin Gate Studios in Toronto,...
- 11/11/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paul Bronfman is set to step down as senior advisor and co-chairman of Canadian movie rental giant William F. White International after selling the company to the UK’s Ashtead Group in 2019, which includes Sunbelt Rentals.
“After 34 years of vision, leadership, and engagement with so many of us at William F. White, and indeed in the broader industry, Paul has decided his time has come to fully pass on the torch to the existing leadership team, effective August 31, 2023,” Sunbelt Rentals CEO Brendan Horgen said in an internal memo to employees that was obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
“Paul’s leadership has been an invaluable asset to many of us. Through his wealth of experience and insights, he has played a pivotal role in shaping not only the collective success of Wfw, but the industry at large,” Garin Josey, executive vp and COO of William F. White, added in a second internal memo obtained by THR.
“After 34 years of vision, leadership, and engagement with so many of us at William F. White, and indeed in the broader industry, Paul has decided his time has come to fully pass on the torch to the existing leadership team, effective August 31, 2023,” Sunbelt Rentals CEO Brendan Horgen said in an internal memo to employees that was obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
“Paul’s leadership has been an invaluable asset to many of us. Through his wealth of experience and insights, he has played a pivotal role in shaping not only the collective success of Wfw, but the industry at large,” Garin Josey, executive vp and COO of William F. White, added in a second internal memo obtained by THR.
- 8/15/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As SAG-AFTRA nears its June 30 bargaining deadline amid the Writers Guild of America strike, the Canadian film and TV industry is closely watching for ripple effects of Hollywood’s production shutdown north of the border. Film studios across the country remain dark or filled with homegrown shoots and anxious local talent and crews, dependent on big-budget U.S. film and TV series for work, question when they’ll get back on set.
Montreal-based screenwriter Christine Rodriguez of Productions La Tigresse, who is continuing to work on her upcoming film projects outside of WGA restrictions, said she’s closely watching labor negotiations in Los Angeles. “What the WGA is doing is extremely important. What they do will have an impact for us in Canada. There needs to be a readjustment with the streamers and remuneration for writers where they’re fairly compensated,” Rodriguez tells The Hollywood Reporter as she develops a...
Montreal-based screenwriter Christine Rodriguez of Productions La Tigresse, who is continuing to work on her upcoming film projects outside of WGA restrictions, said she’s closely watching labor negotiations in Los Angeles. “What the WGA is doing is extremely important. What they do will have an impact for us in Canada. There needs to be a readjustment with the streamers and remuneration for writers where they’re fairly compensated,” Rodriguez tells The Hollywood Reporter as she develops a...
- 6/30/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Season 1 of "Reacher" was a huge hit for Amazon, which is just as well considering the amount of work that went into making the show. When the series based on Lee Child's popular Jack Reacher books hit Prime Video, it instantly smashed Amazon streaming records. All of which suggested that leaving behind Tom Cruise, who'd starred in two movies based on the novels, and starting anew was a shrewd move on Child's part.
"Reacher" treated the two Cruise films as if they never happened, casting new lead Alan Ritchson and taking Child's tales of a traveling ex-military policeman who can't help but find trouble into the streaming age. Adapting the very first Jack Reacher novel, "Killing Floor," the first season followed the titular former Army officer as he visited the fictional small town of Margrave, Georgia, where he very quickly uncovers some sinister corruption at the heart of...
"Reacher" treated the two Cruise films as if they never happened, casting new lead Alan Ritchson and taking Child's tales of a traveling ex-military policeman who can't help but find trouble into the streaming age. Adapting the very first Jack Reacher novel, "Killing Floor," the first season followed the titular former Army officer as he visited the fictional small town of Margrave, Georgia, where he very quickly uncovers some sinister corruption at the heart of...
- 5/27/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
The American Society of Cinematographers handed out its best visual storytelling in feature film award to “Elvis” on Sunday night, and in doing so, Mandy Walker has become the first woman to win the top prize in the society’s history.
Walker triumphed over Greig Fraser (“The Batman”), Darius Khondji, Claudio Miranda (“Top Gun: Maverick” and Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”) in a very competitive race.
During her speech, she dedicated her win to “all the women who will win the award after me,” and was met with rapturous applause. She hoped for more women to break glass ceilings and continued, “This is an inclusive representative community. Let us all strive for success and show our mission and create art.”
Walker‘s triumph comes as Oscar voting ends on March 7, where she is also nominated. She became only the third woman ever nominated for cinematography for her work on “Elvis.
Walker triumphed over Greig Fraser (“The Batman”), Darius Khondji, Claudio Miranda (“Top Gun: Maverick” and Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”) in a very competitive race.
During her speech, she dedicated her win to “all the women who will win the award after me,” and was met with rapturous applause. She hoped for more women to break glass ceilings and continued, “This is an inclusive representative community. Let us all strive for success and show our mission and create art.”
Walker‘s triumph comes as Oscar voting ends on March 7, where she is also nominated. She became only the third woman ever nominated for cinematography for her work on “Elvis.
- 3/6/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
The cinematographers of “The Batman,” “Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths,” “Elvis,” “Empire of Light” and “Top Gun: Maverick” have received nominations from the American Society of Cinematographers, the ASC announced on Monday.
Last year’s winner, “Dune” cinematographer Greig Fraser, was nominated again for “The Batman.” Darius Khondji received the nomination for “Bardo,” Claudio Miranda for “Top Gun,” Mandy Walker for “Elvis” and cinematography legend Roger Deakins received his record 17th ASC nomination for “Empire of Light.”
The nomination makes “Elvis” cinematographer Mandy Walker only the third woman to be nominated in the top feature-film category by the ASC, after Rachel Morrison for “Black Panther” and Ari Wegner for “The Power of the Dog.” No female cinematographer has ever won in the category.
Also Read:
Cinematographer Roger Deakins Fears That Moviegoing Has ‘Changed Beyond Repair’
The nominations bypassed “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tar” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,...
Last year’s winner, “Dune” cinematographer Greig Fraser, was nominated again for “The Batman.” Darius Khondji received the nomination for “Bardo,” Claudio Miranda for “Top Gun,” Mandy Walker for “Elvis” and cinematography legend Roger Deakins received his record 17th ASC nomination for “Empire of Light.”
The nomination makes “Elvis” cinematographer Mandy Walker only the third woman to be nominated in the top feature-film category by the ASC, after Rachel Morrison for “Black Panther” and Ari Wegner for “The Power of the Dog.” No female cinematographer has ever won in the category.
Also Read:
Cinematographer Roger Deakins Fears That Moviegoing Has ‘Changed Beyond Repair’
The nominations bypassed “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tar” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,...
- 1/9/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
William F. White International has acquired Studio City Toronto, an iconic studio complex in the city’s downtown east end that over the years played host to shoots for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, X-Men and the Oscar winner Spotlight.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the purchase of the 148,000 square foot studio by William F. White-parent Sunbelt Rentals and completed on Dec. 2 is understood to have followed a bidding war. The acquisition, which includes Studio City Rentals, gets William F. White’s total owned or managed studio production space across Canada to 1.55 million square feet.
“We are excited to welcome Studio City Toronto as well as Studio City Rentals to the William F. White and Sunbelt Rentals family. For our clients, these acquisitions are the perfect complement to our business as we continue to deliver world-class studio space and...
William F. White International has acquired Studio City Toronto, an iconic studio complex in the city’s downtown east end that over the years played host to shoots for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, X-Men and the Oscar winner Spotlight.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the purchase of the 148,000 square foot studio by William F. White-parent Sunbelt Rentals and completed on Dec. 2 is understood to have followed a bidding war. The acquisition, which includes Studio City Rentals, gets William F. White’s total owned or managed studio production space across Canada to 1.55 million square feet.
“We are excited to welcome Studio City Toronto as well as Studio City Rentals to the William F. White and Sunbelt Rentals family. For our clients, these acquisitions are the perfect complement to our business as we continue to deliver world-class studio space and...
- 12/7/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Director Stu Stone and producing partner Adam Rodness want you to know that their indie film comedy Vandits — about small-time crooks looking to rob a senior citizens’ bingo hall of its 25,000 jackpot on Christmas Eve — having 250,000 worth of camera and lighting equipment stolen on their first day of shooting was no publicity stunt.
“There’s an empty parking space. Where’s the truck? Really, where’s the truck?” Stone recalls asking ashen-faced production crew members in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in October 2021 as he stared at where a truck and trailer with all of his film gear inside had been parked the night before.
It might have looked like a stunt as the Toronto-based filmmakers’ last movie had been Faking a Murderer, a 2020 docu-comedy where Stone and Rodness, in search of their next hit, investigate a seedy man they believed to be a serial killer but never was.
Director Stu Stone and producing partner Adam Rodness want you to know that their indie film comedy Vandits — about small-time crooks looking to rob a senior citizens’ bingo hall of its 25,000 jackpot on Christmas Eve — having 250,000 worth of camera and lighting equipment stolen on their first day of shooting was no publicity stunt.
“There’s an empty parking space. Where’s the truck? Really, where’s the truck?” Stone recalls asking ashen-faced production crew members in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in October 2021 as he stared at where a truck and trailer with all of his film gear inside had been parked the night before.
It might have looked like a stunt as the Toronto-based filmmakers’ last movie had been Faking a Murderer, a 2020 docu-comedy where Stone and Rodness, in search of their next hit, investigate a seedy man they believed to be a serial killer but never was.
- 10/19/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Amelia Eloisa’s We Will Never Belong won the Audience Award for a narrative feature and Joseph Sackett’s Homebody won Best First Feature to highlight prizewinners at this year’s Inside Out 2Slgbtq+ Film Festival. The films were honored in a ceremony this weekend that wrapped the Toronto-based event, Canada’s largest 2Slgbtq+ film festival.
Other honorees in the festival, which ran as a hybrid in-person/virtual event from May 26-Sunday and showcased 128 films from 28 countries, included Ry Levey’s Out in the Ring for Best Canadian Feature. Additional audience awards went to Jacquie Lawrence’s Gateways Grind for Best Documentary Feature and Nyala Moon’s How Not to Date While Trans for Best Short Film.
Director Odu Adamu won the fest’s annual “Pitch, Please” contest for his upcoming project The Skin We’re In. Prizes to the winner include a cash production grant of 5,000 sponsored by Netflix,...
Other honorees in the festival, which ran as a hybrid in-person/virtual event from May 26-Sunday and showcased 128 films from 28 countries, included Ry Levey’s Out in the Ring for Best Canadian Feature. Additional audience awards went to Jacquie Lawrence’s Gateways Grind for Best Documentary Feature and Nyala Moon’s How Not to Date While Trans for Best Short Film.
Director Odu Adamu won the fest’s annual “Pitch, Please” contest for his upcoming project The Skin We’re In. Prizes to the winner include a cash production grant of 5,000 sponsored by Netflix,...
- 6/6/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Visual effects company Pixomondo and Canadian TV and film equipment rental business William F. White International are set to open their second virtual production studio in Toronto.
The Stage 6 facility, comprising a 16,100 square foot stage with a large semi-circle LED volume measuring 62 feet across, will have four dynamic modular sections to give directors of photography more lighting flexibility. Stage 6 will also accommodate shorter duration shoots for film and TV productions and commercials, in contrast to multi-month bookings by larger scale, visual effects-heavy TV and film projects intended for separate virtual production stages in Toronto and Vancouver run ...
The Stage 6 facility, comprising a 16,100 square foot stage with a large semi-circle LED volume measuring 62 feet across, will have four dynamic modular sections to give directors of photography more lighting flexibility. Stage 6 will also accommodate shorter duration shoots for film and TV productions and commercials, in contrast to multi-month bookings by larger scale, visual effects-heavy TV and film projects intended for separate virtual production stages in Toronto and Vancouver run ...
- 7/21/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Visual effects company Pixomondo and Canadian TV and film equipment rental business William F. White International have entered into a partnership through which they will offer LED volumes for virtual production across Canada, representing a combined initial capital commitment of at least $30 million.
As part of the agreement, Wfw and Pxo will build two new stages set to open this year, which are already under construction in Toronto and Vancouver, while co-renting the LED volume equipment. They plan to build several more sites in Canada during 2022.
Last fall, Pixomondo launched an LED volume in Wfw space in Toronto’s West End,...
As part of the agreement, Wfw and Pxo will build two new stages set to open this year, which are already under construction in Toronto and Vancouver, while co-renting the LED volume equipment. They plan to build several more sites in Canada during 2022.
Last fall, Pixomondo launched an LED volume in Wfw space in Toronto’s West End,...
Studio operator William F. White International has opened the doors on its third Toronto facility, Century Studio.
The new studio is located in west Toronto near the company's two other studios, which have been open since 2019. And William F. White is eyeing as possible long-term tenants Hollywood studios or streamers whose back-to-work plans amid the pandemic involve Canada.
"There’s no denying it’s been a difficult year, not only within the film industry, but all over the world. It’s the perfect time to share our latest Toronto studio property with an industry eager to get ...
The new studio is located in west Toronto near the company's two other studios, which have been open since 2019. And William F. White is eyeing as possible long-term tenants Hollywood studios or streamers whose back-to-work plans amid the pandemic involve Canada.
"There’s no denying it’s been a difficult year, not only within the film industry, but all over the world. It’s the perfect time to share our latest Toronto studio property with an industry eager to get ...
Studio operator William F. White International has opened the doors on its third Toronto facility, Century Studio.
The new studio is located in west Toronto near the company's two other studios, which have been open since 2019. And William F. White is eyeing as possible long-term tenants Hollywood studios or streamers whose back-to-work plans amid the pandemic involve Canada.
"There’s no denying it’s been a difficult year, not only within the film industry, but all over the world. It’s the perfect time to share our latest Toronto studio property with an industry eager to get ...
The new studio is located in west Toronto near the company's two other studios, which have been open since 2019. And William F. White is eyeing as possible long-term tenants Hollywood studios or streamers whose back-to-work plans amid the pandemic involve Canada.
"There’s no denying it’s been a difficult year, not only within the film industry, but all over the world. It’s the perfect time to share our latest Toronto studio property with an industry eager to get ...
Shooting begins on story of First Nations soldier caught in Taliban ambush.
Producers Marie Clements, Lael McCall, Michelle Morris, and the Women In the Director’s Chair (Widc) organisers have commenced production in Canada on Clements’ drama Red Snow.
Shooting is underway in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and is scheduled to relocate to Kamloops, Whistler and Cache Creek in British Columbia to complete principal photography by May 31.
Clements (pictured) wrote, directs and is the majority producer via her McM Inc of Red Snow, about a First Nations Giwch’in soldier from the Canadian Arctic whose passion for his roots comes to the...
Producers Marie Clements, Lael McCall, Michelle Morris, and the Women In the Director’s Chair (Widc) organisers have commenced production in Canada on Clements’ drama Red Snow.
Shooting is underway in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and is scheduled to relocate to Kamloops, Whistler and Cache Creek in British Columbia to complete principal photography by May 31.
Clements (pictured) wrote, directs and is the majority producer via her McM Inc of Red Snow, about a First Nations Giwch’in soldier from the Canadian Arctic whose passion for his roots comes to the...
- 3/30/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
No doubt there has been a rise of horror related television of late. With the popularity of zombies, necronomicons and horror stories if anyone else wants to dip their toes in this bloody pool the time is now. The fine fellows from Black Fawn Films (The Heretics, Bite and Antisocial) are looking to do just that by introducing their proposed television series The Cleaners at the Banff World Media Festival next week. Award-winning horror film producers and directors, Cody Calahan and Chad Archibald of Black Fawn Films, are set to showcase their TV series concept The Cleaners, created by Calahan and Al Kratina, to networks in Banff. For the first time ever, William F. White Int’l will allow a production company to...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 6/9/2017
- Screen Anarchy
A stellar group of eight Canadian women directors, along with an ensemble of hand-picked Industry professionals, mentors, actors and crews, have been selected to attend the 19th annual Women In the Director’s Chair (Widc) program, and the two-day pilot session of the Widc Whistler Film Festival Industry Immersion. Over the next two months these rising stars will develop their feature films and web series, while cultivating relationships with industry insiders along with key collaborators, and an ensemble of hand-picked professional actors and technicians. The program culminates with a technical creative master-class at The Banff Centre.
Mounting their directorial debut feature films are, from the Northwest Territories, Kirsten Carthew ("Prototype"), Manitoba-based Rebecca Gibson ("Jane Garbage"), from Ontario, Renuka Jeyapalan ("Sex with as Perfect Stranger"), and Simone Stock ("Dark Horse"), BC-based Kate Kroll, ("One.Last.Stop"), Reem Morsi ("Lips"), and Loretta Todd ("Monkey Beach'), and Pei-based, Jenna MacMillan is developing a new web series, ("Gran Bandit").
“These filmmakers are already established in their own right,” says Carol Whiteman, award-winning Widc producer. “They have won awards and fellowships, some from our collaborating partners like Women In Film, the St John’s International Women’s Film Festival, and the Whistler Film Festival. We all see the talent that these women possess and the potential of their projects.” “I appreciate how Widc supports women’s work and vision,” says seasoned documentary filmmaker, Loretta Todd whose sci-fi martial arts pilot Skye and Chang airs on Aptn. “Being part of Widc Sim 2.O is a significant opportunity to help me be prepared so I can be even more courageous as a director.”
This year's eight directors also benefit from the expertise of award-winning Canadian writer/directors and Widc alumnae, Katrin Bowen ("Amazon Falls," "Random Acts of Romance"), Lulu Keating ("Lucille's Ball," "The Mood Brood") who mentor in Vancouver, Deanne Foley ("Beat Down," and "Relative Happiness" premiering at Whistler Film Festival) at the Whistler Film Festival, and celebrated writer/director Gail Harvey ("Looking is the Original Sin," "Long Story Short") will be the program's Mentor Director in Banff. The line up of award-winning Widc mentors also includes director of photography, Roger Vernon ("Twilight: Breaking Dawn"), Teresa Hannigan (Rookie Blue), Jeanne Slater ("Lucille's Ball," "Evangeline"), screen-writer and Jungian expert, Dr. Carolyn Mamchur, writer/story consultant Linda Coffey ("These Arms of Mine"), and actress/acting instructor, Lori Triolo (Blackstone, Supernatural). Industry experts include, John Galway (of Harold Greenberg Fund), Maureen Levitt, (of Super Channel), independent producer, Lael McCall, (of Principia Productions), and Lauren Davis of Telefilm Canada.
The Women In the Director’s Chair (Widc) program has earned an international reputation for propelling women directors’ skills, stories and careers to the next level of excellence. Creative Women Workshops Association, The Banff Centre and Actra (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) have been Widc collaborators and Telefilm Canada has been a major sponsor since the program’s 1997 inception. This is Widc’s first year collaborating with the Whistler Film Festival, with the Widc Whistler Film Festival Industry Immersion taking place on December 3 and 4.
The Festival’s online box office is now open for industry and festival passes, ticket packages, and individual film and special event tickets (until December 7). The Festival Box Office is also open for phone sales (1-877-838-film) and on November 28 for walk-in sales. Wff’s film, event and industry Summit lineup and schedules are available at whistlerfilmfestival.com.
The Westin Whistler Resort and Spa is Wff’s official host hotel. Wff has 17 accommodation partners to choose from that offer special rates to Whistler Film Festival attendees. Book your accommodation early to ensure your perfect match and price. For information, go to whistlerfilmfestival.com.
The Whistler Film Festival is supported by Telefilm Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Tourism Whistler, and is sponsored by Variety, Elle Canada, the Directors Guild of Canada - British Columbia, Creative BC, The Harold Greenburg Fund, Cineplex, CTV, Pandora, Sorel, Columbia, Whistler Blackcomb, Promosa and the Westin Resort & Spa Whistler.
About Widc – Women In the Director’s Chair (Widc) is an internationally respected Canadian professional development offering, specially designed to advance the skills, careers and screen projects of women directors. With nearly 200 director alumnae across Canada, Widc is presented in partnership by Creative Women Workshops Association, The Banff Centre and Actra, with major support from Telefilm Canada, William F. White Intl., and with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des Arts du Canada, Panavision Canada, Sim Digital, Clairmont Camera Film and Digital, North Shore Studios, The Bridge Studios, Vancouver Film Studios, Front Row Insurance, Banff World Media Festival, Actra Fraternal Benefit Society, Ubcp/Actra, Actra Alberta, Iatse 669, Iatse 212, Independent Production Fund, Wift Vancouver, Female Eye Film Festival, St John’s International Women’s Film Festival and Whistler Film Festival. Director’s chair sponsors include Creative BC, BC Arts Council, Wiftv. Find out more at www.widc.ca www.facebook.com/widc.ca @WIDC_ca #Widc enquiries@creativewomenworkshops.com
About the Whistler Film Festival: From December 3 to 7, 2014, the Whistler Film Festival (Wff) will celebrate its 14th edition as one of Canada's leading festivals. Featuring innovative and original films from around the world and opportunities to connect with the people who made them, this year’s five day Festival will be filled with a solid lineup of premieres, star-studded guests, lively celebrations and unique industry initiatives. Find out more at www.whistlerfilmfestival.com.
About the Whistler Film Festival Society: The Whistler Film Festival Society (Wffs) is a charitable cultural organization dedicated to furthering the art of film by providing programs that focus on the discovery, development and promotion of new talent culminating with a must attend festival for artists, the industry and audiences in Whistler. Wffs produces one of Canada's leading film festivals and plays a leadership role in offering project development programs for Canadian filmmakers. Find out more at whistlerfilmfestival.com.
Mounting their directorial debut feature films are, from the Northwest Territories, Kirsten Carthew ("Prototype"), Manitoba-based Rebecca Gibson ("Jane Garbage"), from Ontario, Renuka Jeyapalan ("Sex with as Perfect Stranger"), and Simone Stock ("Dark Horse"), BC-based Kate Kroll, ("One.Last.Stop"), Reem Morsi ("Lips"), and Loretta Todd ("Monkey Beach'), and Pei-based, Jenna MacMillan is developing a new web series, ("Gran Bandit").
“These filmmakers are already established in their own right,” says Carol Whiteman, award-winning Widc producer. “They have won awards and fellowships, some from our collaborating partners like Women In Film, the St John’s International Women’s Film Festival, and the Whistler Film Festival. We all see the talent that these women possess and the potential of their projects.” “I appreciate how Widc supports women’s work and vision,” says seasoned documentary filmmaker, Loretta Todd whose sci-fi martial arts pilot Skye and Chang airs on Aptn. “Being part of Widc Sim 2.O is a significant opportunity to help me be prepared so I can be even more courageous as a director.”
This year's eight directors also benefit from the expertise of award-winning Canadian writer/directors and Widc alumnae, Katrin Bowen ("Amazon Falls," "Random Acts of Romance"), Lulu Keating ("Lucille's Ball," "The Mood Brood") who mentor in Vancouver, Deanne Foley ("Beat Down," and "Relative Happiness" premiering at Whistler Film Festival) at the Whistler Film Festival, and celebrated writer/director Gail Harvey ("Looking is the Original Sin," "Long Story Short") will be the program's Mentor Director in Banff. The line up of award-winning Widc mentors also includes director of photography, Roger Vernon ("Twilight: Breaking Dawn"), Teresa Hannigan (Rookie Blue), Jeanne Slater ("Lucille's Ball," "Evangeline"), screen-writer and Jungian expert, Dr. Carolyn Mamchur, writer/story consultant Linda Coffey ("These Arms of Mine"), and actress/acting instructor, Lori Triolo (Blackstone, Supernatural). Industry experts include, John Galway (of Harold Greenberg Fund), Maureen Levitt, (of Super Channel), independent producer, Lael McCall, (of Principia Productions), and Lauren Davis of Telefilm Canada.
The Women In the Director’s Chair (Widc) program has earned an international reputation for propelling women directors’ skills, stories and careers to the next level of excellence. Creative Women Workshops Association, The Banff Centre and Actra (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) have been Widc collaborators and Telefilm Canada has been a major sponsor since the program’s 1997 inception. This is Widc’s first year collaborating with the Whistler Film Festival, with the Widc Whistler Film Festival Industry Immersion taking place on December 3 and 4.
The Festival’s online box office is now open for industry and festival passes, ticket packages, and individual film and special event tickets (until December 7). The Festival Box Office is also open for phone sales (1-877-838-film) and on November 28 for walk-in sales. Wff’s film, event and industry Summit lineup and schedules are available at whistlerfilmfestival.com.
The Westin Whistler Resort and Spa is Wff’s official host hotel. Wff has 17 accommodation partners to choose from that offer special rates to Whistler Film Festival attendees. Book your accommodation early to ensure your perfect match and price. For information, go to whistlerfilmfestival.com.
The Whistler Film Festival is supported by Telefilm Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Tourism Whistler, and is sponsored by Variety, Elle Canada, the Directors Guild of Canada - British Columbia, Creative BC, The Harold Greenburg Fund, Cineplex, CTV, Pandora, Sorel, Columbia, Whistler Blackcomb, Promosa and the Westin Resort & Spa Whistler.
About Widc – Women In the Director’s Chair (Widc) is an internationally respected Canadian professional development offering, specially designed to advance the skills, careers and screen projects of women directors. With nearly 200 director alumnae across Canada, Widc is presented in partnership by Creative Women Workshops Association, The Banff Centre and Actra, with major support from Telefilm Canada, William F. White Intl., and with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des Arts du Canada, Panavision Canada, Sim Digital, Clairmont Camera Film and Digital, North Shore Studios, The Bridge Studios, Vancouver Film Studios, Front Row Insurance, Banff World Media Festival, Actra Fraternal Benefit Society, Ubcp/Actra, Actra Alberta, Iatse 669, Iatse 212, Independent Production Fund, Wift Vancouver, Female Eye Film Festival, St John’s International Women’s Film Festival and Whistler Film Festival. Director’s chair sponsors include Creative BC, BC Arts Council, Wiftv. Find out more at www.widc.ca www.facebook.com/widc.ca @WIDC_ca #Widc enquiries@creativewomenworkshops.com
About the Whistler Film Festival: From December 3 to 7, 2014, the Whistler Film Festival (Wff) will celebrate its 14th edition as one of Canada's leading festivals. Featuring innovative and original films from around the world and opportunities to connect with the people who made them, this year’s five day Festival will be filled with a solid lineup of premieres, star-studded guests, lively celebrations and unique industry initiatives. Find out more at www.whistlerfilmfestival.com.
About the Whistler Film Festival Society: The Whistler Film Festival Society (Wffs) is a charitable cultural organization dedicated to furthering the art of film by providing programs that focus on the discovery, development and promotion of new talent culminating with a must attend festival for artists, the industry and audiences in Whistler. Wffs produces one of Canada's leading film festivals and plays a leadership role in offering project development programs for Canadian filmmakers. Find out more at whistlerfilmfestival.com.
- 12/1/2014
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
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