Telefilm Canada congratulates The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus for two
Academy Awards nominations

MONTREAL , Feb. 11 /CNW Telbec/ - Telefilm Canada wishes to congratulate the Canada/UK coproduction The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, a Telefilm-supported film, for its two nominations at the 82nd annual Academy Awards, in the Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design categories.

"We are very proud to see The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus being recognized among Academy Awards nominees -- a much-deserved honour," stated Michel Pradier , Telefilm Canada's Director of Project Financing. "Terry Gilliam's film already scored high by achieving more than $1 million at the box-office; but a Canadian film to make it in the race for the Oscars translates into a significant achievement for the entire industry, offering outstanding exposure for Canadian productions among both domestic and international audiences," he concluded.

Directed by Terry Gilliam and written by Gilliam and Charles McKeown, the film was produced by William Vince , Amy Gilliam , Samuel Hadida and Terry Gilliam for B.C.-based Infinity Features Entertainment and the UK's Poo Poo Pictures. The film follows the leader of a travelling theatre troupe who, having made a deal with the Devil, takes the audience through a magical mirror to explore their imaginations. Heath Ledger , Christopher Plummer , Lily Cole , and Tom Waits star in the film while Ledger's role was later recast with Johnny Depp , Jude Law , and Colin Farrell portraying transformations of Ledger's character when the actor's death during production caused a temporary suspension. The film's world premiere was during the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, out of competition.

Developing and promoting the Canadian audiovisual industry

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

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