Canadian Film Centre Information & Canadian Film Centre Links at HealthHaven.com

The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is an advanced training institution for film, television and new media. Based in Toronto, Canada, CFC offers residents education, industry partnerships and production experience. Beyond development, CFC promotes and invests in Canada’s diverse talent; providing exhibition, financial, and distribution opportunities for top creative content leaders from coast to coast. In operation since 1988, CFC has graduated over 1,000 residents.

[edit] History

Founded in 1988 by Governor-General Award recipient and Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Norman Jewison as a film training centre, CFC has progressively added new programs, initiatives and labs as they become relevant; growing from 6 initial staff running a solitary film program for 12 inaugural residents in 1988, to over 50 staff, running 10 programs and 3 initiatives for more than 100 residents in 2008.

[edit] Timeline

1988: CFC opens with original Film Training Program for producers, writers and directors
1991: Summer & Fall Writer’s Boot camp offered until 1993
1992: The Feature Film Project launches
1994: Inaugural Television Training Program begins
1996: Professional Screenwriting Program starts
1997: Habitat New Media Lab created
1997: Editors’ lab included in Film Program offerings
1999: Prime Time Television Program commences
2000: CFC acquires Worldwide Short Film Festival]
2002: Interactive Project Lab initiated
2003: CFC Distribution is introduced
2003: Interactive Narrative Feature Project (INFP) conceived
2004: Professional Screenwriting Program & Writers’ Lab folded into Prime Time TV Program
2004: TELUS Innovation Fund announced
2006: TV Pilot Program begins
2006: NBC Universal Multiplatform Program announced
2007: CFC Go West Project Lab launched
2007: Mobile Film Festival launched
2007: Launch of Late Fragment, INFP’s inaugural project and North America’s first interactive dramatic feature film
2008: CFC/NFB Documentary Feature Film Program created
2008: Canada - UK Script Incubation Program announced
2008: CFC Actor’s Conservatory announced
2009: CFC NBC Universal Content Creator Program announced
2009: CFC Launches New Program | Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab
2009: E1 Entertainment Supports CFC Features
2009: Kiefer Sutherland Announced as Chair of CFC Actors Conservatory

[edit] Training

CFC offers training in three separate media streams: film, television and new media. Each stream offers practical, intensive, hands-on programs that are administered under the guidance of faculty and industry professionals.

[edit] CFC Film

Cineplex Entertainment Film Program: A five-and-a-half month residency offering participants complete immersion in the art, craft and business of dramatic filmmaking for producers, editors, writers and directors.
Short Dramatic Film Program: An intense five-month development, production and post-production filmmaking experience that produces up to five short films a year.
CFC Features: A comprehensive development and production focused mentorship program for the development, production and marketing of first-time low-budget feature films.
CFC GO WEST Project Lab: An intense, week-long creative and business immersion experience for western-Canada-based producers.
CFC NFB Feature Documentary Program: Launched in January 2009, Canada’s first theatrical documentary development program is a new six-month program designed to help directors develop cinematic documentaries that will advance the genre and achieve commercial and critical success.
Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab: A high-level, professional development program, pairing accomplished Canadian feature film producers and their writer and/or director teams and their theatrical comedy scripts, with the best comedy minds in the world.

[edit] CFC TV

CBC Prime Time Television Program: A five-month residency providing up to eight experienced writers with the opportunity to train in a simulated story department environment, guided by leading senior television creators.
TV Pilot Program: A fully mentored, thorough immersion in dramatic television production, from concept through development, to production, post and delivery. Produces up to three half-hour pilots with broadcaster participation annually.
Canada - UK Script Incubation Program: Canada’s first international co-production training program: The Canada - UK Script Incubation Program is the first of its kind in Canada and will foster a new level of collaboration between Canadian and UK television writers. With the participation of Canwest, the BBC and BBC Worldwide, the program aspires to be an exciting model for the successful co-production of television properties.

[edit] CFC Media Lab

TELUS Interactive Art & Entertainment Program (IAEP): Canada’s first post-graduate program for new media training and production based on a philosophy that compelling content is created though a collaborative process. Up to 10 residents per session, create interactive media prototypes that push the boundaries of conventional entertainment. Open to international candidates.
Interactive Project Lab (IPL): A unique partnership with The Banff Centre and L’INIS, that offers a series of programs designed to produce innovative cultural and entertainment start-up companies; with the goal of strengthening Canadian capability in the area of interactive entertainment.
Interactive Narrative Feature Program (INFP): An innovative program designed to experiment with the creation, development, production, financing, marketing and distribution of interactive feature films.

[edit] CFC Actor's Conservatory

This new program will offer collaborative, in-depth, professional-level training for on-screen acting talent. The CFC Actor’s Conservatory presented by Canwest and supported by the Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, is the first of its kind in Canada and will launch in Fall of 2009.

[edit] Promoting & Investing in Canada's Talent

From organizing innovative industry outreach events nationwide, to providing Canadians with the means and venues to profile their works, CFC has extended their dedication beyond development to include promotion and investment. Designed to encourage discussion and stimulate interest in the Canadian entertainment industry, CFC has hosted numerous screenings, workshops and industry forums; helping to build the Canadian network and fuel Canada’s growth internationally.

On-going initiatives include:

CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival: Now in its 15th year, this annual event has grown to become the premier venue for the exhibition and promotion of short film in North America. Taking place in late spring, the WSFF presents 265 short films from more than 30 countries.
CFC Distribution: A boutique distributor / sales agent currently representing both: films produced at the CFC, and other shorts acquired nationally and abroad.
TELUS Innovation Fund: A fund administered by the CFC that provides talented Canadians with significant financial assistance to get their innovative film, television or new media project produced.

[edit] Work Produced by CFC

17 Feature Films include:

NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY (director, Charles Officer): received its World Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival and had its theatrical release on February 6 2009 in Toronto and Vancouver.
BLOOD & DONUTS (director, Holly Dale): screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival and Singapore International Film Festival.
RUDE (director, Clement Virgo): received its World Premiere at Cannes Film Festival, and garnered 8 Genie Award Nominations (including; Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress) at the 1996 Genie Awards.
HOUSE (director, Laurie Lynd): screened at the Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival and Mannheim-Heidelberg Film Festival.
SHOEMAKER (director, Colleen Murphy): Received the Audience Prize & Ecumenic Prize at the Mannheim-Heidelberg Film Festival, and garnered nominations for Best Supporting Actor & Best Actress at the 1997 Genie Awards.
CUBE (director, Vincenzo Natali): #2 spot in gross receipts in France in the second week of its run, Best First Canadian Feature at the Toronto International Film Festival, and garnered six Genie Award Nominations at 1998 Genie Awards
CLUTCH (director, Chris Grismer): Best Feature at the Victoria International Film & Video Festival.
TOO MUCH SEX (director, Andrew Ainsworth): Best Film at the Malibu Film Festival.
SHOW ME (director, Cassandra Nicolaou)
THE DARK HOURS (director, Paul Fox)
SIBLINGS (director, David Weaver)
THE UNCLES (director, Jim Allodi)
THE ART OF WOO (director, Helen Lee): premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
KHALED (director, Asghar Massombagi): received the 2002 Karlovy Vary Award for Best Director, and a Special Mention by the Fipresci Jury at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival.

140 SHORT FILMS INCLUDING:

MAN V. MINIVAN (director, Spencer Maybee): screened at Toronto International Film Festival, Calgary International Film Festival and Vancouver International Film Festival in 2009.
HOW EUNICE GOT HER BABY (director, Ana Valine): screened at Montreal World Film Festival and Vancouver International Film Festival in 2009.
SHANTI BABA RAM & THE DANCERS OF HOPE (director, Steve Rosenberg): screened at Montreal World Film Festival, 29th Atlantic Film Festival and FilmI Film Festival in 2009. (Title track composed by Vikas Kohli (audio producer/composer for Fatlabs recording studio in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada))
THE CELLO (director, Érik Cimon): screened at CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival, June 2009 in Canada, Whistler Film Festival in 2008, Palm Springs International Shortfest & Film Market USA, in 2009 and received the Best Film in the Section - Music award. Also screened at the Jecheon International Music Film Festival August 2009 in Korea, Festival Internacional de Filmets, November 2009 in Barcelona, and Festival Franco-Quebecois Off-Courts de Trouville-sur-Mer, September 2009 in Normandy, France. THE CELLO received the audience award at the Off-Courts Festival, France and received the BEST DRAMATIC SHORT CINEMATOGRAPHY (Ray Dumas) award from The Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC Awards), April 2009 in Canada.
ADAM AVENGER (director, Chris Trebilcock): screened at CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival, June 2009 in Canada, Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children, April 2009 in Canada, International Film Festival "Nueva Mirada" for Children and Youth September 2009 in Argentina and Chicago International Children's Film Festival October 2009 in Chicago. ADAM AVENGER received the Golden Sprokets Award for Best Short Film, Ages 9 –12, and the “GOLDEN KITE” award for the Best Short Film for Children at the 8th International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Buenos Aires.
PUDGE (director, Annie Bradley) : screened at CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival, June 2009 in Canada, Calgary International Film Festival, Sep 19-28 2008, Montreal World Film Festival, August 2008, Toronto International Film Festival, September 2008, Calgary International Film Festival, September, 2008 and Chicago International Children's Film Festival, October 2008. PUDGE received the Platinum Remi Award at the International Children and Youth Film Festival (FICI), November 2008 in Spain and the young actress, Laytrel McMullen won the 2009 Young Artist Award for Best Performance In A Short Film.
BURGEON AND FADE (director, Audrey Cummings): screened at Worldfest Houston in 2008, and received a Remi Award for Special Jury Award, and won the The Jackson-Triggs Award for Best Emerging Canadian Filmmaker Award at the 2008 CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival Worldwide Short Film Festival.
MILO 55160 (director, David Ostry): received a Genie Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2006
BIG GIRL (director, Renuka Jeyapalan): screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2005, was awarded the Bravo!Fact Short Cuts Canada Award and received the best drama award at the Yorkton Short Film & Video Festival.
IF I SEE RANDY AGAIN DO YOU WANT ME TO HIT HIM WITH THE AXE: received the Golden Sheaf Award for Editing for Fiction at the Yorkton Film & Video Festival, 2007.
RED VELVET GIRLS: screened at WorldFest Houston in 2006, won the Gold Remi Award: Best Fantasy/Horror.
BLUE (director, Don McKellar): received the Special Jury Citation at 1992 Toronto International Film Festival for Best Canadian Short Film.
THE MAKING OF MONSTERS (director, John Greyson): received the Golden Teddy Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival.
THE HOME FOR BLIND WOMEN (director, Sandra Kybartas); received a Genie Award in 1996.
THE FAIRY WHO DIDN’T WANT TO BE A FAIRY ANYMORE (director, Laurie Lynd]): received a Genie Award in 1993.
ELEVATED (director, Vincenzo Natali)
SAVE MY LOST NIGGA’ SOUL (director, Clement Virgo)
ERNEST (director, Keith Behrman): received Honourable Mention NFB – John Spotton Award for Best Canadian Short
THREE SISTERS ON MOON LAKE (director, Julia Kwan): received the GOLD Short Film Award at Worldfest Houston; was the Audience Award Winner at the 2002 CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival Worldwide Short Film Festival.
IN MEMORIUM (director, Aubrey Nealon): received the GOLD Award for Short Film at Worldfest Houston,
EVELYN: THE CUTEST EVIL DEAD GIRL (director, Brad Peyton): received Honourable Mention, Best Canadian Short at the CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival Worldwide Short Film Festival and the Grand Jury Award, Nodance Film Festival.