Telefilm Canada scores coup to promote new ways to discover Canadian talent, new partnership with CineCoup

MONTREAL, May 21, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Telefilm Canada is partnering with Vancouver's CineCoup Film Accelerator, a reality-show style competition to provide a million dollars to fund a new feature film, as part of the funding agency's newly minted New Ways of Discovering Canadian Talent marketing campaign.

On Sunday, Telefilm presented CineCoup President of Distribution and Sales, Brad Pelman, to industry players and media during its Talent To Watch event at the Cannes Film Festival. Up next, Telefilm will partner with CineCoup to unveil the Top 5 films at the Banff World Media Festival in June, where filmmakers will pitch their projects in front of industry experts.

"We've been in the talent development business for more than 40 years, supporting dynamic companies and creators from across the country," said Carolle Brabant, Telefilm's Executive Director. "And we're constantly innovating in our quest to find and encourage emerging talent. New Ways of Discovering Canadian Talent was created to promote the next cinematic gems. But to do this, we rely on partners who share our passion for cinema and who want to push the boundaries of development, production, distribution and marketing. That's why we were so delighted to join with CineCoup as a collaborator in our promotional campaign."

The CineCoup Film Accelerator is a unique model for indie filmmakers to develop, market and finance their feature films. Filmmaking teams apply to CineCoup with a two-minute trailer then advance through a gamified selection funnel that's designed to package their projects and to build fan support on the CineCoup social Web platform.

Film fans watch, weigh in and earn votes to help their favourite filmmakers advance. Ten projects have now been optioned for development, five teams will travel to the Banff World Media Festival and, ultimately, one project will be selected for up to $1 million in production financing and guaranteed theatrical release in Canada.

The contest recently announced its Top 10 submissions: http://www.cinecoup.com/showcase.

About Telefilm Canada
Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada's audiovisual industry. Through its various funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm also administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TelefilmCanada.

SOURCE: TELEFILM CANADA

Media Inquiries:
Douglas Chow, Manager, External Communications, Telefilm Canada
[phone], ext. 2225 or 1-800-567-0890
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