Toronto-based sales company Cinesavvy says it has secured “considerable” p&a funding for two of its EFM premieres, Frankie & Alice and Cell 213 from LA-based company Checkmark Films.

The deal for Frankie & Alice, in which Halle Berry stars opposite Stellan Skarsgard as a woman with a racist alter ego, also includes the financing of an Oscar campaign.

Cinesavvy and Checkmark are in discussions with a number of major distributors for service output and are targeting a 2010 theatrical release. Prison drama Cell 213, stars Eric Balfour (pictured).

“This is not just about finding p&a for one or two films,” Cinesavvy managing director Abhi Rastogi said. “It’s the start of a relationship with Checkmark Films that will go beyond individual projects.”

“Cinesavvy provides potential for other future performance-driven, compelling films that have domestic and international appeal,” Checkmark Films CEO Jon Carr added.

“As age-old distribution machine evolves, the day has come where packaging p&a with service distribution deals finally provides independent film with an infrastructure offering potential for maximum success for all involved.“