Telefilm Canada

Source: Telefilm Canada

Telefilm Canada is supporting six Indigenous projects through the Indigenous Stream submitted under the Theatrical Documentary Program and the Production Program.

The organisation, which appointed Francesca Accinelli to serve as interim executive and CEO when Christa Dickenson steps down on September 10, has made a total commitment of more than C$3m (USD $2.3m).

Telefilm Canada allocates C$4m (USD$3.1m) annually to creators from Canada’s Indigenous communities, with the remainder reserved for Indigenous projects applied through the Talent to Watch Program and the Development Program.

Projects applying to the Indigenous stream must demonstrate that they are Indigenous projects majority-owned and controlled by Indigenous creators. They are assessed by an advisory committee comprised of Indigenous film professionals. Names of the Advisory Committee members will be published once decisions for all the programmes using the advisory committees have been announced.

The projects are: drama Angela’s Shadow from writer-director Jules Koostachin, through production company AaSheNii Productions (British Columbia); documentary Anicinabe Park 1974 from directors Shane Belcourt and Tanya Talaga and screenwriter Jordan Wheeler, through production company Makwa Creative (Ontario); documentary Nechako from writer-director Lyana Patrick through production company Nechako Films Inc (British Columbia).

Rounding out the selections are: family dramedy Pow Wow Summer from writer-director Darrell Dennis through production company Orca Cove Media (British Columbia); dramedy Seeds from writer-director Kaniehtiio Horn through production company Kaniehtiio Horn-Batt Entertainment Inc. & New Real Film Inc (Ontario); and documentary Stoney Nakoda Film Project from writer-director Cody Lefthand through production company Stoney Film Project (Alberta).