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Five Canadian producers shortlisted for CFTPA's $10,000 Feature Film Prize
Ottawa, August 28, 2009 – Award-winning Canadian producer Rob Merilees today announced the shortlist for the 4th Annual CFTPA Feature Film Producer's Award as chair of the national jury, and last year’s recipient. The winner receives a cheque for $10,000 at a special reception to mark the opening of the 34th Toronto International Film Festival® on September 10th.
The award was founded in partnership with the Festival in 2006 to recognize the vision and entrepreneurship of an outstanding Canadian producer whose body of work demonstrates commitment and passion for the profession.
“To be nominated for this award by your peers is very rewarding,” says Rob Merilees. “The Toronto International Film Festival is a perfect venue to pay tribute for all the hard work, dedication and persistence it takes to make a feature film in this country. We are very proud of the all of the nominees and their significant accomplishments in this field.”
“The CFTPA is delighted to offer this cash prize in recognition of the high calibre of producers we have in this country,” says Norm Bolen, President and CEO, CFTPA. “Being able to tell Canadian stories and showcase them at this world-class festival on our doorstep, is not only entertaining, it is a very important business opportunity for our industry.”
More than 25 eligible Canadian films are being screened at the festival this year. The Jury was asked to narrow the field to five nominees. Joining Jury Chair Rob Merilees (Foundation Features) in making the decision were Suzanne Girard (BBR Productions Inc.), Mike Volpe (Topsail Entertainment), Don Carmody (Don Carmody Productions Ltd.), and Erica Benson (Corus Entertainment).
The Nominees for the 2009 CFTPA Feature Film Producer's Award are:
Peter Raymont – “Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould”
Production Company: White Pine Pictures
Filmography: Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire, A Promise to the Dead: The Exile Journey of Ariel Dorfman, Triage: Dr. James Orbinski’s Humanitarian Dilemma, The Border.
Robin Cass- “High Life”
Production Company: Triptych Media Incorporated. Producing partner, Gary Yates, co-producers Liz Jarvis (Buffalo Gal Pictures) and Avi Federgreen.
Filmography: Zero Patience, Lilies, The Hanging Garden, The Bay of Love and Sorrows, Falling Angels, The Republic of Love, Emotional Arithmetic, As Slow as Possible, Amal.
Jennifer Jonas – “Leslie My Name is Evil”
Production Company: New Real Films. Producing partner, Leonard Farlinger (New Real Films), co-producer Avi Federgreen.
Filmography: Hungry Hills, Otto; or, Up With Dead People, Toronto Stories, All Hat, Monkey Warfare, Cake, Childstar, Sugar, Elizabeth Rex, The Perfect Son.
Kevin Tierney – “The Trotsky ”
Production Company: Park Ex Pictures
Filmography: Love and Savagery, Serveuses Demandées, Bon Cop/Bad Cop, One Dead Indian, CHOICE : The Henry Morgantaler Story, Twist (EP), Varian’s War, The Life of P.T. Barnam, More Tales of The City, The Song Spinner, Memoirs: Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
David Hamilton – “Cooking with Stella”
Production Company: Hamilton-Mehta Productions Incorporated
Filmography: A Heaven on Earth, Fire, Earth, Lunch with Charles, Bollywood Hollywood, Water, The Forgotten Woman.
About us:
The CFTPA is a non-profit trade organization that works on behalf of almost 400 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and interactive media products in all regions of Canada. More specifically, it promotes the general interests of its members provincially, federally, and internationally; negotiates and manages labour agreements with guilds and unions; administers copyright collectives; trains new industry entrants through seven national internship programs; and undertakes a number of other specific initiatives that help increase awareness and enhance communication within the Canadian and international production communities.
TIFF is a charitable, not-for-profit cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world. Its vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. TIFF generates an annual economic impact of $135 million CAD and currently employs more than 100 full-time staff and 500 part-time and seasonal staff, and counts upon the largesse of over 2,000 volunteers year-round.
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For further information contact:
Anne Trueman, Director of Communications and Media, CFTPA
T: (613) 233-1444 x 227, C: (613) 851-4538, anne.trueman@cftpa.ca
Communications Department, Toronto International Film Festival
T: (416) 934-3200 or proffice@tiffg.ca