Canadian Talent Honoured And Spotlighted By Industry Initiatives Programming

Toronto - Industry Initiatives at the 31st Toronto International Film Festival reinforces its commitment to developing and supporting the Canadian film industry by announcing a new producer's award in partnership with the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA), and the finalists of Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS! Industry Initiatives is committed to supporting and accelerating the professional development of Canadian filmmaking talent in three key areas: artistic and professional development, international networking, and marketing. For more information on Industry Initiatives' dynamic programming, including Talent Lab, go to industry.tiffg.ca.

CFTPA PRODUCER'S AWARD

"The inaugural CFTPA Producer Award acknowledges the bold vision and vibrant entrepreneurship of an independent producer with a Canadian feature being screened at the Festival," said Guy Mayson, President and CEO of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association. "With this Award, we are pleased to be able to continue to support, encourage and celebrate Canadian producers."

The recipient of the award is selected by a jury, and receives a cash prize of $10,000 CAD from the CFTPA. The winner will be announced on September 8th at a special industry event during the Festival.

The CFTPA Producer Award's jury is chaired by producer David Hamilton (WATER, BOLLYWOOD/HOLLYWOOD) and includes filmmaker Norman Jewison, Shelley Gillen, Head of Creative Affairs at Movie Central, and producer Pierre Even (C.R.A.Z.Y.).

"The CFTPA created this Award to recognize the hard work and dedication that making films represents, and to encourage further success," said Kelley Alexander, Director of Industry Initiatives. "The CFTPA Producer Award gives much deserved profile to producers in this country. We are thrilled to be partnering with the CFTPA on this initiative, and look forward to achieving a common goal: to cultivate and nurture our dynamic, thriving film industry."

The CFTPA promotes and stimulates the Canadian production industry. As a non-profit trade association, the CFTPA represents almost 400 film, television and interactive media companies across the country.

TELEFILM CANADA PITCH THIS!

The popular Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS! competition returns to the Festival for its seventh consecutive year. Applicants are short-listed down to six finalists, who are assigned pitch coaches to help them prepare for the competition. In a live pitch environment, the participants have six minutes to pitch their feature film idea to an audience, including the Toronto International Film Festival Group's Industry Advisory Committee, an international body of industry professionals, and up to 300 industry delegates. The Committee then chooses the winner of a $10,000 CAD prize to assist with costs related to pursuing the project. 2001's PITCH THIS! winner Chaz Thorne's POOR BOY'S GAME, directed by Clement Virgo and starring Danny Glover, recently wrapped in Halifax.

This year's finalists are: Steven N. Bray and Jessie Wallace for WIDOW'S ROW, Anthony Del Col for OUTSOURCED, Sheldon Inkol for ONCE UPON A REVOLUTION, Kerry Elizabeth McPherson for THE YEAR OF THE MOTH, David Miller and Marcus Robinson for THE INNOCENTS, and Mark Montefiore for LITTLE RED TURNBUCKLE. Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS! takes place Tuesday, September 12th, from noon - 2pm at Stop 33 in the Sutton Place Hotel (955 Bay Street) and is open to Press delegates and Industry delegates with the Industry Initiatives upgrade pass.