Sunny Side of the Doc, here they come!
As part of our RDVCANADA mentoring program initiative, our second cohort of documentary content producers are ready to hit the global stage and find their next international business partners.
With their documentary projects in development, the seven Canadian producers selected for RDVCANADA | DOCS 2024 are gearing up to make the rounds at Sunny Side of the Doc from June 24 to 27 in La Rochelle, France.
In this unique professional program led by Telefilm Canada in partnership with the Black Screen Office, Creative BC, the Indigenous Screen Office, Ontario Creates and SODEC, producers just wrapped six intense weeks of personalized mentorship and training (with a focus on international coproduction and distribution – as well as pitching) and are ready to pitch their project to their future international partners.
If you’re an international distributor, sales agent, broadcaster, or potential coproducer heading to Sunny Side of the Doc, this is your chance to get a sneak peek at these future success stories and build meaningful business relationships with prolific and experienced Canadian documentary producers, from television series to feature films.
Aside from a series of networking activities (by invitation only), you can come and meet the RDVCANADA Docs cohort all week at the Canada Pavilion Stand B23!
We’re excited to announce the producers and projects of the RDVCANADA | Docs 2024 cohort!
On Distant Shores – Series
Barbara Todd Hager, Acimow Media Ltd. (British Columbia)
The extraordinary journeys to European countries by Indigenous people from North and South America will change everything we know about the history of European-Indigenous interactions after 1492.
The producer’s participation is supported by the Indigenous Screen Office.
Seagulls Over the Airwaves – Feature film
Leon Lee, Flying Cloud Productions (British Columbia)
Codenamed Project Seagull, a daring network of ordinary people defies China’s cutting-edge censorship with an ingenious shortwave radio hack, risking everything to deliver uncensored news and spark a revolution of information.
The producer’s participation is supported by Creative BC, British Columbia.
Uncomfortable Truths – Feature film
Eric Ruel, La Ruelle Films (Quebec)
In a small village nestled in the snow-capped Laurentian Mountains, residents are shaken by sightings of mysterious black triangles in the sky. Most believe they have a non-human origin. As the search for answers unfolds, a scientific revolution begins.
The producer’s participation is supported by Quebec Créatif, Sodec.
On Bass – Feature film
James Weyman, Markham Street Films Inc. (Ontario)
On Bass is a celebration of the electric bass guitar and the bass players who used it to revolutionize popular music.
The producer’s participation is supported by Ontario Creates.
Dancehall Queen – Feature film
Marcelle Edwards, Productions From Mars (Ontario)
Eight women from around the globe dance-battle their way to the International Dancehall Queen competition in Jamaica to win notoriety, the cash prize and a crown. Along the way audiences will be immersed in Jamaican Dancehall culture, meet the artists who produce the music, the creators of the dance moves and the fashion influencers inspiring the bold, sexy, captivating looks.
The producer’s participation is supported by Black Screen Office.
Ancient Baby Beasts – TV one-off
Ari A. Cohen, Rotating Planet Productions Inc. (Quebec)
For centuries, there’s been a bias that bigger is better; every museum wanted to boast the biggest bone rack. But now, with cutting edge technology, we’re peering at the mighty young of these giants – the tots and teens of dinosaurs and ancient mammals spotlighting their fascinating little lives.
The producer’s participation is supported by Quebec Créatif, Sodec.
Mountain Sisters – Feature film
Carmen Forsberg, Silverlight Entertainment Inc. (British Columbia)
Five women mountaineers raised in remote towns of the Peruvian Andes aim to summit Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak, without supplementary oxygen or porters. Leading them is Flor Cuenca, a force of nature and a name quickly becoming recognized on the world’s ‘8K’ peaks. Together, they plan to carry 100kg of trash down from upper base camps, advocating for environmental sustainability and challenging gender norms in mountaineering. Their mission is not just a physical endeavor but a call to action for ecological responsibility and gender equality in high-altitude sports.
The producer’s participation is supported by Creative BC, British Columbia.
Aiming to help Canadian producers of various genres expand into foreign markets and do business internationally, this RDVCANADA series of training programs was created by Telefilm Canada and the Trade Commissioner back in 2020. This is our second documentary program and cohort. You can learn more about our 2021 Meet the Docs Cohort here.
As with previous RDVCANADA programs – which have focused on series, animations, and documentaries – participating producers of RDVCANADA | Docs 2024 hail from across Canada.
