Five Canadian producers have been shortlisted for the fifth-annual CMPA (formerly CFTPA) Feature Film Producer’s Award, which will be presented at the Toronto film festival on Sept 9.

The winner receives a cash prize of $10,000. The award, founded in partnership with TIFF, recognises the vision and entrepreneurship of an outstanding Canadian producer.

 “I congratulate the five nominees for the Canadian Media Production Association’s Feature Film Producer’s Award,” said Norm Bolen, President and CEO, CMPA. “Now in its fifth year, this cash prize recognizes the talent and dedication it takes to get a story idea from conception to viewing it on the big screen. This festival offers a special opportunity to showcase great Canadian stories.”

More than 29 eligible Canadian films will be screened at TIFF 2010, a jury of industry experts selected the shortlist of these five:

Roger Frappier, Crying out (A L’origine d’un cri)
Production Company: Max Films

Daniel Iron, The Bang Bang Club
Production Company: Foundry Films

Jennifer Jonas, Trigger
Production Company: New Real Films

Michael McGowan, Score: A Hockey Musical
Production Company: Mulmur Feed Co.

Denise Robert, Route 132
Production Company: Cinémaginaire

Also, TIFF has unveiled its final statistics ahead of next week’s kickoff. There are 339 films screening (of which 258 are features) compared to 334 last year.

This year’s festival will present 112 world premieres, up from 97 last year. There were 3,526 submissions this year, up from 3,000 in 2009.

In other Toronto news, the city will celebrate the opening of TIFF Bell Lightbox with a free block party on Sept 12 from 11 am-4pm.

The event will include music, family activites and food. The official ribbon cutting that day will be held at noon; TIFF will also offer free admission to the building.

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