Telefilm Canada supports Vues d'Afrique's 26th edition of the PanAfrica
International Film Festival

MONTREAL, April 6 /CNW Telbec/ - Telefilm Canada is proud to support the 2010 PanAfrica International Film Festival, presented by Vues d'Afrique, taking place April 15 to 25, 2010 in Montreal. Under the Skills and Screens Program, Telefilm's support is directed towards a range of professional development activities at this year's festival.

The 26th annual PanAfrican International film festival showcases the best films from Africa, Creole countries and the African and Creole diaspora in Canada and around the world. Over 12,000 people attend the 10-day event each year and see over 100 works - fiction, documentaries, digital media and youth programs - from 40 different countries. Screenings are followed by discussions and forums with filmmakers, directors and journalists from Canada, Africa and Europe. The festival is produced by Vues d'Afrique, an organization specializing in events showcasing African and Creole cinema, art and music to the Canadian public with a focus on stimulating cultural partnership.

Industry development activities at the festival include:

    
    - Short film training for visible minorities from various African and
      Creole communities, whose works are then screened to the public
    - Rencontres Express, a program of one-on-one "speed dating" meetings
      between invited African filmmakers and Canadian directors, producers
      and distributors
    

"With its unique focus on filmmakers and storytellers of African and Creole roots, this festival is a valuable platform for the exchange of stories, cultures and business opportunities for delegates from Canada, Africa and Europe," said Bruno Legare, Telefilm Canada's Interim Regional Director for Business Development - Quebec Region. "Telefilm is pleased to support the festival as an important meeting-place for filmmakers with an interest in African and Creole cultures, and as a platform for Telefilm to support multicultural talent and international business transactions," he added.

Visit www.vuesdafrique.org for programming information.

About Telefilm Canada

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 products that appeal to domestic and international audiences. Telefilm also administers the Canada Media Fund. Visit www.telefilm.gc.ca.

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