Coproduction and export are in focus as Telefilm Canada releases its annual report for 2018-19. Let’s take a look at some need-to-know highlights! 

First, coproduction.

Canada is a leader in coproduction. We have audiovisual treaties and agreements in place with close to 60 countries around the world, an important vehicle for Canadian producers to make bigger-budget films, get funding from foreign sources, and access global audiences. 

2018-2019 coproduction facts: 

• $348 million in total production budgets for 52 film and television treaty coproduction projects with 16 partner countries 
• Telefilm financed 13 official treaty coproductions with investments totalling $18 million! 

5 successful 2018-2019 coproductions: 

1. Academy Award-nominated director Kim Nguyen’s The Hummingbird Project is an official Canada-Belgium coproduction that also benefited from Eurimages funding. The film has sold in 25 countries. 
2. Daniel Roby’s Canada-France coproduction, Dans la brume (Just a Breath Away) was named Best Film at the Fantasia International Film Festival! 
3. Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers & Kathleen Hepburn’s The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open is a Canada-Norway coproduction that premiered at the 2019 Berlinale and was nominated for Best Film in the Generation 14plus program. Its other awards include the Grand Prix Focus Quebec/Canada at the Festival du nouveau cinéma, and honourable mention for Best Canadian Feature Film at the Toronto International Film Festival. 
4. Ioana Uricaru’s Lemonade is a Romania-Canada-Germany-Sweden coproduction that premiered at the 2018 Berlinale, had a strong showing on the festival circuit. 
5. Pascal Laugier’s Incident in a Ghostland is a France-Canada coproduction that won the Grand Prize and Audience Award at the Festival international du film fantastique de Gérardmer. 

New funding opportunities as a Eurimages member 

In 2017, Canada became the 38th member country of Eurimages. This program finances feature-length coproductions between member countries and facilitates the export of productions. From funding to partnerships, export to coproduction, this affiliation helps bring new opportunities to international filmmakers!  

And guess what? Since becoming a member nation, nine films with Canadian participation have been selected for Eurimages funding, yielding three million euros in support with projetcts like: The Hummingbird Project, Pompeii, The Middle Man, It Must Have Been Heaven, Sweetness in the Belly, Le Suicide d’Emma Peeters, 1999 Wish You Were Here, Charlotte and The Furies.  

Funding programs you need to know about  

To promote coproduction and export for our industry and international partners, Telefilm’s got you covered:  

– Participation to international festivals and events. (Pssst! In 2018-19, this program brought 103 films to 24 countries!) 

This program offers financial support to Canadian directors with films officially selected at international festivals, as well as to producers invited to international coproduction forums. 

P.S. The program is also now open to short films selected for a world or international premiere at key festivals! 

– Export Assistance Program (expanded in 2018-19!)  

To increase the recognition of Canadian content and talent on the international scene, make Canadian cinema competitive to international buyers, and encourage the international distribution of Canadian feature films, Telefilm’s Export Assistance Program provides funding to theatrical distribution companies that have acquired exploitation rights of eligible projects in selected foreign territories.  

(Did you know? Foreign distributors and exhibitors can access up to $90,000 towards eligible costs relating to the promotional campaign for a film’s theatrical release. ) 

4 activities to increase exports around the world! 

1. Eye on TIFF 
   By offering international distributors, sales agents and exhibitors coveted sneak peeks of Canada’s most anticipated film releases prior to their TIFF premieres, Eye on TIFF curates business-to-business sales and export opportunities for Canadian productions and the international industry! From Los Angeles to Paris; London to New York . 
2. Canada Now  
   In the past year, Canada Now films were screened in more than 50 venues in 40 cities as the films travelled to audiences in China, Mexico, the UK and US! Telefilm’s Canada Now initiative aims to increase awareness of (and access to) Canadian films on the international art-house circuit. In this second edition, 28 award-winning and critically-praised films were made available to programmers, highlighting works by veteran filmmakers, Indigenous creators, and emerging talent. 
3. First Look  
   First Look offers the acquisition community a preview of Telefilm-financed films in post-production that are near-ready for acquisition. The invitation-only industry screenings are held during Canada Now showcases in key cities.  
4. Ace Producers 
   In partnership with Telefilm, ACE Producers selects one or two Canadian producers each year to participate in expert workshops and industry sessions. ACE Producers is an exclusive network of experienced independent film producers from Europe and beyond, who have completed the ACE program of advanced training; they then gather for professional events at all major festivals and markets and regularly coproduce with each other.  

For more info, check out the entire report, right here!