Bell Media Announces Feature Programming at Inaugural Canadian International Television Festival, Nov. 16

- Exclusive fan opportunities include world premieres of SPUN OUT and 19-2 -

- Free tickets and more event information at www.CITF13.tv -

To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/1889T3O

TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Bell Media is pleased to be the presenting sponsor of Canada's first and only public television festival, the Canadian International Television Festival (CITF), launching tomorrow from Toronto's Bell TIFF Lightbox. With free screenings at the TIFF Bell Lightbox beginning Saturday, Nov. 16, the festival will showcase some of Canada's best television series and talent.

Bell Media is proud to premiere two new Canadian original productions to fans on Saturday - CTV's multi-cam workplace comedy SPUN OUT, starring Dave Foley (KIDS IN THE HALL, NEWSRADIO), and Bravo's English adaption of the French-language smash hit 19-2, a richly nuanced human drama following the lives of patrol officers Ben Chartier (Jared Keeso) and Nick Barron (Adrian Holmes).

"Congratulations to all involved in getting the Canadian International Television Festival off the ground," said Kevin Crull, President, Bell Media. "Canadian television has never been more engaging, relevant, and transformative, and we are proud to have played a leading role in bringing the small screen to the big screen with this public festival."

Free tickets (plus a small handling fee) for the screenings can be obtained at the Bell TIFF Lightbox box office or via the Festival website at CITV.tv.

Below is a complete list of Bell Media programs represented at the festival:

19-2 - World Premiere
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m.
Bravo's English adaptation of the hit Québec police drama will receive its World Premiere. MOVIE ENTERTAINMENT's Teri Hart hosts a Q+A with Executive Producer Jocelyn Deschênes, writer Bruce Smith, and series co-star Adrian Holmes. The Festival will also screen the original French version (subtitled).

SPUN OUT - World Premiere
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m.
CTV's hilarious new half-hour scripted comedy series stars Dave Foley, Al Mukadam, Holly Deveaux, Rebecca Dalton, and Darcy Michael, all of whom are set to be on hand for the 8 p.m. premiere screenings and Q+A session hosted by ETALK's Devon Soltendieck. Premiering in Winter 2014, SPUN OUT also stars Paul Campbell and J.P. Manoux.

Franchises and Formats
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m.
Saturday also features a session with the producers and talent behind MTV's DEGRASSI franchise, including actors Aislinn Paul, Munro Chambers, and Luke Bilyk, as well as Stefan Brogren (Director, Actor, Writer), Sarah Glinski (Executive Producer, Head Writer), and Matt Huether (Co-Executive Producer, Writer). The panel is led by AFTER DEGRASSI host, Lauren Toyota.

Additionally, INNERSPACE's Teddy Wilson hosts a panel on successful factual formats featuring Supervising Producer Mark Lysakowski and racers Jet and Dave from CTV's THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, as well as Executive Producer Guy O'Sullivan who talks about CTV's upcoming MASTERCHEF CANADA.

SENSITIVE SKIN - Sneak Peek
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.
Co-stars Kim Cattrall and Don McKellar along with writer Bob Martin are on hand to discuss their new dramedy series for The Movie Network and Movie Central, MOVIE ENTERTAINMENT'S Teri Hart leads a discussion on the adaptation of the British series, followed by a sneak peek of the series.

THE BEST OF bravoFACT - Hosted by Richard Crouse
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.
CITF celebrates short-form content with a screening of some of the best bravoFACT-funded shorts including Winter Garden starring Enrico Colantoni which was featured as part of the Stage to Screen Series during TIFF, and Method, which screened as a part of TIFF's Short Cuts Canada. 

ORPHAN BLACK - Marathon
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m.
The first five hours of Space's critically acclaimed smash hit series ORPHAN BLACK, are presented back to back, following an introduction by co-creators Graeme Manson and John Fawcett.

BITTEN - Sneak Peek
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 10 p.m.
Cast members Greg Bryk, Joel Keller, Michael Xavier, Paulino Nunes, and Steve Lund, along with Executive Producers J.B. Sugar and Deagan Fryklind are on hand to chat up Space's hotly anticipated new thriller. Hosted by INNERSPACE's Ajay Fry and Morgan Hoffman, the panel also features a never-seen before sneak peek.

About the Canadian International Television Festival
The CITF is a new, non-profit social enterprise and the first television showcase festival in Canada. Founding sponsors are the Canada Media Fund (CMF), the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), and Presenting Sponsor, Bell Media. Major sponsors include NBCUniversal Canada, the Director's Guild (National and Ontario offices), and the City of Toronto. Visit www.CITF13.tv for tickets and more information and follow CITF on Twitter at @CITF13.

About Bell Media
With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media creates content and builds brands that entertain, inform, engage, and inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada's #1 television network; 34 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, Canada's most-watched specialty channels in English and French; four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran; and is managing shareholder of premium pay-per-view service Viewers Choice Canada. Bell Media is also Canada's largest radio broadcaster, with 107 licensed radio stations in 55 markets across Canada. Bell Media owns Astral Out-of-Home, one of Canada's most dynamic and innovative out-of-home advertising companies. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites, delivers TV Everywhere with its innovative GO video streaming services, including TMN GO and Bravo GO, and owns Dome Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company.

SOURCE: Bell Media

Jim Quan, Bell Media, 416.384.5311 or [email protected]
Renee Dupuis, Bell Media, 416.384.3154 or [email protected]