Telefilm Canada announces the selection of two Canadian producers by the
Ateliers du cinéma européen

MONTREAL, March 3 /CNW Telbec/ - Telefilm Canada is pleased to announce that two Canadian producers, Luc Déry of micro_scope (Inch'allah) for the French-language market and Ziad Touma of Couzin Films (Wall of Sound) for the English-language market, were selected to take part in the 2010 edition of the International Preparatory Action (IPA) program of the Ateliers du Cinéma Européen (ACE). This training program for independent producers of fiction feature films from outside the European Union will be held in Paris and Zurich from March 14 to 21. For the second year in a row, the participation of Canadian producers is made possible through Telefilm's support.

Founded in Paris in 1993, the ACE is a training program and a development centre for independent European producers. In 2009, with financial support from the MEDIA International program, ACE first opened its doors to independent producers that were not part of the European Union and launched a new training program specially designed for them -- ACE IPA.

"The participation of Canadian producers in a program of international stature such as ACE represents a tremendous competitive advantage," says Sheila La Varende, Director of national and international development, Telefilm Canada. "Being able to benefit from the expertise of ACE mentors and develop professional partnerships with members of their network allows participants to open their horizons and improve their knowledge of international market development and partnerships," she concludes.

"As financing of films and television becomes more challenging and co-production and co-financing are now the way of the future, taking part in the ACE program allows us to build on a structure of working with other countries as we continue to develop our own production company", said Julia Sereny of Sienna Films, a participant in the 2009 edition of the ACE IPA program. "Having access to ACE helps ensure our viability in the ever-competitive film marketplace", she concluded.

The two Canadian producers and six other participants in the 2010 edition of ACE IPA will have the opportunity to attend a coproduction forum on Switzerland, customized one-on-one consultations with script-writing consultants and financial experts, as well as networking workshops putting them in touch with European producers from 23 countries in the European Union, members of the ACE network. After the March workshops, the participants will receive follow-up on their project until the end of 2010.

The two Canadian participants were selected by a jury consisting of external readers, industry experts and representatives. Telefilm Canada is enabling these two producers to participate by covering the participation costs in connection with the ACE IPA program, including travel, accommodations, living expenses and training costs.

Developing and promoting the Canadian audiovisual industry

Telefilm Canada is a federal cultural agency dedicated to developing and promoting the Canadian audiovisual industry. It provides financial support to the private sector to create distinctively Canadian products that appeal to domestic and international audiences. Telefilm also administers the funding programs of the Canada Feature Film Fund, the Canadian Television Fund and the Canada New Media Fund. Please visit telefilm.gc.ca.

For further information: Eva Hartling, Senior Advisor, External Communications, Telefilm Canada, [phone], ext. 2090, [email protected]; www.twitter.com/telefilm_canada