FALL 2017 YOUR DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE PHENOMENAL CONTENT CREATED BY CANADA’S INDEPENDENT MEDIA PRODUCERS OFFICIAL SELECTION CANADA BEST FILM-FESTIVAL DESTINATION ON THE PLANET LIGHT IT UP SMALL TOWN SUCCESS Wattpad Studio’s relentless push How leaving the big city to revolutionize creative development created new opportunities for INDIESCREEN / and upend the global production sector Brain Power Studio’s Beth Stevenson 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 FESTIVAL LAND WE GIVE A MAP OF FESTIVALS ON OFFER FROM COAST TO COAST TO COAST CANADA’S INDIE 3 LETTER FROM THE CEO 6 14 NORTHERN LIGHTS PRODUCERS FESTIVAL FEVER 2017 CMPA INDIESCREEN AWARD NOMINEES FROM WHITEHORSE TO ST. JOHN’S, 18 WATTPAD STUDIOS FILM FESTIVALS PLAY A KEY ROLE LIGHTS UP THE BLACK BOX IN STIMULATING CANADA’S HOW THE TORONTO-BASED FICTION PLATFORM THE TOOLS MOVIE INDUSTRY PLANS TO UPEND MEDIA PRODUCTION AS WE KNOW IT 28 FIND YOUR FESTIVAL SO MANY FESTIVALS—HOW TO CHOOSE? THEY NEED TAKE OUR QUIZ TO DISCOVER YOUR MATCH 30 FESTIVAL FACES FROM 1950 TO TODAY, PICTURE-PERFECT MOMENTS so they can bring FROM CANADA’S FILM FESTIVALS diverse stories to life on screen for WITH CANADA’S TALENT audiences at home 12 BETH STEVENSON SOMETHING ABOUT BARRIE 16 STEVEN THIBAULT MIGHTY MIGHTY MOVIE STUDIO and around the world 22 NAT ABRAHAM A BLOODY GOOD BUSINESS MODEL 26 MARK SLONE DISTRIBUTION IN A BRAVE NEW WORLD 34 INA FICHMAN THE DOCUMENTARIAN THE CMPA ADVOCATES with government on behalf of the industry NEGOTIATES with unions and guilds, broadcasters and funders 24 PRODUCTION LISTS OPENS doors to international markets OUR INTERNATIONAL 36 COMEDY CREATES professional development opportunities FESTIVAL SUCCESS 43 DOCUMENTARY SECURES exclusive rates for industry events and conferences CANADIAN FILMS THAT HAVE 56 DRAMA STOLEN THE SHOW 71 KIDS, FAMILY, ANIMATION AT FESTIVALS BEYOND THE GREAT WHITE NORTH 77 SCI-FI, HORROR, THRILLER JOIN US. MAKE IT HAPPEN. 86 FOREIGN LOCATION cmpa.ca INDIESCREEN / 2 LETTER FROM THE CEO Did you know that the longest- The dozens of festivals occurring in Canada each year act as a significant launch pad for diverse independent producers, and also offer audiences a unique opportunity to watch running film festival in North movies to which they might otherwise not be exposed. From Yorkton in 1947 to today, it’s America is actually based in certainly evident that our country’s film festivals are great builders of community. Canada? It’s true—the Yorkton Now, when one thinks of Canada’s film community, there is arguably no organization that has done more to help Canadian filmmakers and promote domestic feature films than Film Festival, which takes Telefilm Canada. My congratulations go out to this pivotal organization as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. On page 11, we hear from Telefilm’s outgoing chair, Michel Roy, as he place each May in Yorkton, reflects on this important milestone. Saskatchewan, was founded in One of the things I like most about film festivals is the opportunity they present for fans and 1947, growing out of a National the industry to interact. There is nothing quite like the rush at the red carpet on a festival’s FALL 2017 opening night. Our photo spread (page 30) captures some of these key moments from recent Film Board initiative to boost the festivals across Canada, and also digs into the archives for some fun shots from decades past. morale of Canadians during WWII. The focus on genre is another great feature of Canada’s film-festival scene. From Fantasia in Montreal to Hot Docs in Toronto to the Ottawa International Animation Festival, genre PRESIDENT AND CEO: Reynolds Mastin It continues today, exhibiting festivals represent some of the best events on offer. When it comes to genre films, Canada Canadian and international has long punched above its weight. In this issue, we speak with documentary producer Ina Fichman about her upcoming projects and her thoughts on why Canadian filmmakers productions, and stands as a make such good documentarians. We also hear from Breakthrough Entertainment’s EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Andrew Addison proud example of Canada’s deep Nat Abraham about why producing horror films is a bloody good business model. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kyle O’Byrne film-festival history. For producers of feature films, the screening of a project at a festival is often anticipated STAFF CONTRIBUTORS: Elizabeth Barr, Marguerite Pigott as either the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end. The festival circuit can be the crowning achievement after months or years of hard work on a film, or it can be the CONTRIBUTOR AND COPY EDITOR: Lisa Svadjian Our cover story, “Festival Fever” gateway to massive audiences and global distribution. EDITORIAL INTERN: Kathleen McGouran (page 6), takes an in-depth look at Interestingly, Canada’s production sector is at a similar crossroads. The way in which films DESIGN AND LAYOUT: FleishmanHillard film festivals across the country. are made and viewed is indeed changing. Our article on homegrown tech start-up Wattpad (“Wattpad Studios Lights Up the Black Box,” page 18) looks at how the Canadian company’s Special thanks to Telefilm Canada and TIFF It’s a fascinating study in genre innovative approach to data-driven content development is pushing the global production for their assistance and contribution to this issue. and geography that underscores sector in new and exciting directions. New digital technologies are also changing the way films are distributed. On page 34, we speak with eOne’s Mark Slone about his new role as the important role festivals play President of the Canadian Association of Film Distributors and Exporters and his view on the for filmmakers and fans alike. future of content distribution in a digital world. After reading the piece, I found Like any good film festival, this issue of Indiescreen is jammed full of great content. And, of course, that includes our definitive production list. In this edition, we’ve focused on feature a new appreciation for the truly film productions in Canada (pages 36–98). Leafing through the hundreds of productions listed, the impressive scale of our industry truly becomes evident, along with the key special events that they are. economic and cultural roles that the media production sector plays right across the country. As you read through this extensive list of productions, be sure to jot down the titles that catch your eye—chances are some will soon be screening at a film festival near you. Reynolds Mastin President and CEO, CMPA 2 3 FESTIVA L DAWSON CITY, YT LAND Yukon Northwest Territory Territories Nunavut WHITEHORSE, YT With close to 10 million square kilometres of landmass, there’s no denying YELLOWKNIFE, NWT Canada’s size. But regardless of where you live in this massive country, chances are, at some point in the year, British there is a film festival nearby. Columbia Alberta ST. JOHN’S, NL Check out the map for an Manitoba Quebec idea of what’s on offer from Prince Newfoundland Edward coast to coast to coast. WHISTLER, BC EDMONTON, AB Saskatchewan Island New Ontario Brunswick CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI YORKTON, SK CALGARY, AB MONCTON, NB GIMLI, MB QUEBEC CITY, QC VANCOUVER, BC HALIFAX, NS VICTORIA, BC WINNIPEG, MB Nova THUNDER BAY, ON MONTREAL, QC Scotia SUDBURY, ON OTTAWA, ON YUKON TERRITORY NEWFOUNDLAND AND AVAILABLE LIGHT FILM FESTIVAL, WHITEHORSE KINGSTON, ON LABRADOR Canadian and international films of all genres, TORONTO, ON ST. JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S especially from Northern Canada. FILM FESTIVAL DAWSON CITY INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL Films made by female-identifying Short films from Canada and around the world, with filmmakers. special attention to Northern Canadian submissions. NOVA SCOTIA NORTHWEST TERRITORIES FIN: ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL ALBERTA FILM FESTIVAL•• YELLOWKNIFE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL QUEBEC CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL•• Fun fact: FIN is host to Strategic Partners, Films from all over the Canadian ONTARIO – TORONTO MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL BLACK FILM FESTIVAL one of the world’s most established and Circumpolar North. EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL•• REELWORLD FILM FESTIVAL Canadian and international films made by co-production and co-financing markets. Canadian and international films telling black filmmakers. BRITISH COLUMBIA underrepresented stories. SASKATCHEWAN •• ONTARIO – REGIONAL FANTASIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL•• NEW BRUNSWICK VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL YORKTON FILM FESTIVAL HOT DOCS CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL LE FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DU CINÉMA Canadian and international short films. CINÉFEST SUDBURY INTERNATIONAL Fun fact: Quentin Tarantino calls Fantasia DOXA DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL, VANCOUVER FILM FESTIVAL•• DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL FRANCOPHONE EN ACADIE, MONCTON Fun fact: Established in 1947, Yorkton “the most important and prestigious genre Canadian and international documentaries. Canadian and international documentary films. Francophone and Acadian films made by film festival on this continent.” is the longest-running film festival in OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL francophone and Acadian filmmakers. imagineNATIVE FILM + MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL VANCOUVER QUEER FILM FESTIVAL North America. ANIMATION FESTIVAL QUEBEC CITY FILM FESTIVAL•• Canadian and international LGBTQ films. Canadian and international animated films. Canadian and international Indigenous films. Fun fact: imagineNATIVE is the largest presenter of MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL PRINCE EDWARD WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL•• MANITOBA BAY STREET FILM FESTIVAL, THUNDER BAY FESTIVAL LANDFESTIVAL Indigenous screen-based content in the world.