Member News

‘Rusted Pyre’ receives Yorkton Nomination and Fort Myers Win

Yorkton, SK—  The Canadian Short Screenplay Competition’s 2008 3rd place winning script ‘Rusted Pyre’ written by Daniel Audet and directed by Laurence Cohen, has been nominated in the category of Best of Saskatchewan as part of this year’s Golden Sheaf Awards.

The Canadian Short Screenplay Competition was nominated in the same category last year for their short film ‘Minus Lara’, written by Surita Parmar and directed by Rob King.

This is the second Golden Sheaf nomination for Producer David Cormican. “It’s a remarkable honour to be recognized amongst my peers like this—not to mention two years running”, says Cormican of the nominations. “YFF is a fantastic venue and their long-standing support of the industry makes it a top destination for filmmakers every May”.

‘Rusted Pyre’ stars Brooke Palsson (HBO’s ‘Less Than Kind’) and Samantha Somer Wilson (‘Nurse.Fighter.Boy.’) and will screen at the 2012 Yorkton Film Festival.

'Rusted Pyre' wins Audience Choice Award at Fort Myers

Fort Myers, FL—  The Canadian Short Screenplay Competition’s 2008 3rd place winning script ‘Rusted Pyre’ written by Daniel Audet and directed by Laurence Cohen, has won the Audience Choice Award at the 2012 Fort Myers Film Festival (FMff).

This is the first win at the FMff. ‘Rusted Pyre’ was one of two opening films for the Florida film festival. Co-stars Brooke Palsson (HBO’s ‘Less Than Kind’) and Samantha Somer Wilson (‘Nurse.Fighter.Boy.’) were on hand to accept the prize during the gala awards event on behalf of producer David Cormican.

About The Canadian Short Screenplay Competition (CSSC)

The Canadian Short Screenplay Competition, administered by Year of the Skunk Productions, and established in 2008, is the premiere script contest for short film screenplays. CSSC is the single-most competitive, prestigious, short screenplay festival in Canada, winner of the 2010 Canadian Weblog Award for Literature and Writing, a champion for screenwriters everywhere and a launching pad for writers’ professional careers.

---

‘Seeing In The Dark’ DOP Hubick Wins Best Cinematography At Sunset Film Festival

Los Angeles, CA—  The Canadian Short Screenplay Competition, the most prestigious name in short film script contests, has earned one more honour: The CSSC’s 2008 1st place winning script ‘Seeing In The Dark’ director of photography Colin Hubick has won the Best Cinematography Category for Foreign Film at the Sunset Film Festival Los Angeles.

‘Seeing In The Dark’, penned by Calgary native Gordon Pengilly, placed 1st in the 2008 CSSC. It received its world premiere at the Edmonton International Film Festival in 2011. The short film tells the story of a paroled prisoner (played by Cormican) and his first day as a free man who tries to make amends with those who he wronged and those who wronged him. It is a story of longing to finally belong only to find he no longer belongs. The film also stars Regina, SK local Amy Matysio (Single White Spenny).

‘Seeing in the Dark’ co-directed by David Cormican and Helen Hatzis, will screen at the Sunset Film Festival Los Angeles in May 2012 where Hubick will also be on hand to receive his honour. The film was produced by David Cormican. 

---

Passover Prophet Wraps Principal Photography

TORONTO, ON – Producer David Cormican and Director James Cooper finished filming for their KickStarter financed short film 'Elijah the Prophet' one week before Passover, the Jewish holiday portrayed in the story.

The script, penned by Zachary and Jesse Herrmann of Brooklyn, New York, beat out over 500 other worldwide entries to take the grand prize for the 2010/11 Canadian Short Screenplay Competition.

‘Elijah the Prophet’ tells the comedic tale of Elijah, the pious, chummy and alcoholic prophet, whose yearly antics have graced Jewish households for ages as part of the Passover celebration. Unfortunately, not everyone understands that drunk driving for him is a divine right, which soon gets him in trouble with the law.

“The script uses the Jewish tradition of Passover to tell a story of lost innocence and the harsh realities of growing up. It does so with a hilarious, irreverent twist that gives it universal appeal," says Producer David Cormican. “It’s the moment when every kid realizes Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy or even the Easter Bunny aren’t real. That’s what drew me to this script”.

"This has easily been the best production I've ever been a part of,” shares director Cooper. “Our cast and crew were incredible and went beyond our wildest expectations at every turn".

The cast includes Gemini winner, Art Hindle (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Brood, Porky’s) in the title role as Elijah the Prophet. Melanie Nicholls-King (Rookie Blue, The Wire) and two-time Emmy Award nominee Tonya Lee Williams (Young & The Restless, Poor Boy’s Game) play Officer Walker and Officer Jackie Calvert, respectively. Gemini nominated funny man, Carlos Diaz (Rent-a-Goalie, Cra$h & Burn), also lent his comedic chops to the short film playing Brian Levy.

Director of Photography for the shoot was Alwyn Kumst (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Highland Gardens).

Click here for more information. 

---

The Other Side receives Production Grant

Congratulations to Angel Entertainment’s Wally Start and Bob Crowe on their new project The Other Side, which was approved for funding in the February 2012 round of the Bell Fund’s production grants.

The Other Side is a documentary series that follows a mentalist of Aboriginal ancestry and his team of paranormal experts in their pursuit to make contact with Canada’s most unsettled spirits.

This website and mobile app give users the opportunity to share their ghostly encounters with the  team of paranormal investigators and the other side.

Click here to read the full press release. 

---

Saskatoon Talent Debuts in Web Series at Two Los Angeles Festivals

March 29, 2012 (SASKATOON) – Saskatoon talent will debut in web series "MY LUPINE LIFE" BY LOUIS PINE  screening at two festivals in Los Angeles this week.  

Sneak peaks of the Saskatoon web series "MY LUPINE LIFE" BY LOUIS PINE  have been accepted for debut at LA festivals LA WEBFEST and HOLLYWEB, it was announced today. 

"MY LUPINE LIFE" BY LOUIS PINE is a 13 episode online series starring ARON TOMORI as Louis Pine, a high school boy convinced that he is a werewolf on his dad's side. Young Vancouver actress JULIA SARAH STONE also stars as Sydney the vampire-next-door. Louis' best friend Mauricio who thinks that his friend is going crazy is played by emerging SASKATOON talent, NOLAN MOBERLY. 

Sneak-peak episodes of "MY LUPINE LIFE" BY LOUIS PINE will show at HOLLYWEB on March 31 and at LA WEB SERIES FESTIVAL on April 6, 7 and 8.

"MY LUPINE LIFE" BY LOUIS PINE  is a companion series to SETH ON SURVIVAL a popular series, website and iOS game that reached the one million mark last month, that is ONE MILLION VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD at sethonsurvival.com. "MY LUPINE LIFE" BY LOUIS PINE  is a composite story inspired by the tens of thousands of comments and letters sent to Seth from kids around the world.

These popular series are the ongoing creation of internationally acclaimed Saskatoon writer + director + producer + game design team of TORIN STEFANSON from Bankend, SK & TERI ARMITAGE from Prince Albert, SK who are re-teaming with producer ANAND RAMAYYA (Karma Film) from La Ronge, SK. 

"We produced Seth On Survival in Toronto but after a meeting with Producer Anand Ramayya of Karma Film in Los Angeles last year, we decided to make our new series back home in Saskatoon. I grew up in Bankend, Saskatchewan and my family lives here so this is my favourite place to work. Shooting this show in Saskatoon was like a dream come true," says director, producer & iOS game designer Torin Stefanson. "And thanks to the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit (SFETC) and the great local production industry we were able to make it work."

After auditioning young actors from all across Canada, the team picked local Tommy Douglas High School student NOLAN MOBERLY to play one of three key roles.

The production was funded through the INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION FUND, SASKFILM, investment by the PRODUCERS and the SASKATCHEWAN FILM EMPLOYMENT TAX CREDIT.

For further information, contact:

Kelly Balon, Publicist: (306) 880-3363  kelly@karmafilm.ca

---

Alientrap’s Capsized nominated at the Canadian Video Game Awards

Congratulations to Jesse McGibney and programmer Lee Vermeulen on the nominations for Alientrap’s Capsized.  Nominations include: Best Downloadable Game, Best Game Design, Best Indie Game, Best Visual Arts, Game of the Year. 

Capsized is a fast paced 2D platformer focused on intense action and exploration. As a intrepid space traveler, your ship has crash landed on a mysterious alien planet. You must navigate through the perilous environment and fight off blood-thirsty creatures to save your crewmates and escape with your lives!

Artist Jesse McGibney and programmer Lee Vermeulen create an immersive alien world teeming with bizarre life-forms and strange landscapes presented in a unique hand-drawn art style. Combining control elements of first person shooters and innovative physics based combat, Capsized emphasizes action without giving up the smart problem solving of classic platform games.

Use your jetpack to fly through the alien jungle, and tools such as the Gravity Hook to manipulate your environment to skilfully dodge and defeat attacking enemies. You will be challenged – with platforming, puzzle solving, and deadly skirmishing, often all at the same time!

Click here for more information. 

---

Wapos Bay Movie Wins International Award

Wapos Bay – Long Goodbyes” wins Best Foreign Animation Film in Hollywood, California 27 March 2012 (Saskatoon, SK) – The 17th Annual International Family Film Festival announced the winners on Sunday, March 25, 2012 and Wapos Bay, the stop motion animated children’s series, won the Best Foreign Animation Award.

“It is an incredible honor to receive such a prestigious award.  It just shows what a Saskatchewan produced television show can achieve with a talented cast and crew!”  Dennis Jackson, Director. 

The movie has enjoyed a successful year, also winning an award from the 2012 Kidscreen Awards in New York for Best One-Off, Special or TV Movie on February 9, 2012.  Wapos Bay the series has received twelve Gemini nominations and won four of them to date.

Wapos Bay is broadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) and co-produced with the National Film Board of Canada.  The production company is currently in pre-production on a new sci-fi adventure series, Guardians - Evolution.

Wapos Bay is a stop-motion animated television series produced in Saskatoon by Dennis and Melanie Jackson (Dark Thunder Productions), Anand Ramayya (KarmaFilm), and Executive Producer Michael Fukushima (National Film Board of Canada).  Other partners include Canada Media Fund, COGECO Program Development Fund, Shaw Rocket Fund, SaskFilm, The Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Creedit, Rogers Cable Network Fund and the National Film Board of Canada, with broadcast partners the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and the Saskatchewan Communications Network.  Visit www.waposbay.com

For further information or to reach Director, Dennis Jackson or the Producers, Dennis and Melanie Jackson and Anand Ramayya, contact:

Kelly Balon | 306.652.9336 | 306.880.3363 | kelly@karmafilm.ca

---

Saskatchewan projects recieve funding from Telefilm Canada

Congrats to several projects with Saskatchewan ties that received funding through Telefilm's Canada Feature Film Fund.

Telefilm Canada supports 11 new English-language feature-film projects for a total investment of $9 million

Montreal, March 19, 2012 − Telefilm Canada is supporting the production of 11 English-language feature films through the Canada Feature Film Fund (CFFF). A total of $9 million is being invested in the selected projects, which come from the Western, Ontario-Nunavut, Quebec and Atlantic regions.

Projects include:

13 Eerie 
Director: Lowell Dean
Writer: Christian Piers Betley 
Production: Minds Eye Entertainment (principal applicant)
Distribution: Entertainment One

Six ambitious forensic undergrads are pitted against one another on a scientific expedition to a remote island, vying to win an esteemed trainee position with the FBI. Unbeknownst to everyone, the site was formally used as an illegal biological testing grounds for life-term criminals who were left for dead. Behind the mission is Professor Tomkins, who together with FBI agent Veneziano have devised a series of experiments to test the would-be agents to their limits.

Space Milkshake 
Writer/director: Armen Evrensel
Production: Foundation Features Inc. (principal applicant)

Four blue-collar astronauts bring a mysterious device aboard their ship and are stuck together on a sanitation station. All life on Earth having vanished, they find themselves confronting galactic-level crises and try to find out what’s causing one of their officers to behave in a very bizarre manner. Little do they know they are about to come under attack by a mutating rubber duck named Gary, who wants to take over the universe.

Rufus 
Writer/director: David Schultz
Production: Lonely Boy Productions Inc. (principal applicant)

Rufus isn’t sure what he is. Hunted, poked and prodded for the last two hundred years, he knows people are always pegging him as this or that. It’s all about what box you fit into. If there really are vampires, Rufus has never met one. Sure he has some quirks. Who doesn’t? Rufus doesn’t sleep, eat or drink. He doesn’t age or feel the passage of time. He’s a boy and will always remain so. So what if he likes the taste of blood? It’s not like he’s addicted. Rufus can take it or leave it – most of the time.

Telefilm Canada announced its funding decisions for French-language projects supported by the Canada Feature Film Fund on December 22, 2011.  To read the full press release, click here (and add)

---

Yorkton Film Festival announces 2012 Golden Sheaf Nominees

The Yorkton Film Festival is proud to announce that our nominee shortlist for this year’s 65th Year celebration have been selected. We extend an enormous thank you to all the filmmakers who submitted films to this year’s festival, and wish the best of luck to all of those who have a film nominated for a Golden Sheaf Award.

All of the nominees can be found on our website, http://www.goldensheafawards.com , by following the nominee link on our homepage.

All nominated films will be honoured at the Golden Sheaf Awards Gala on Saturday May 26, 2012 at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.  Registration for the Yorkton Film Festival is now open.  Please visit www.goldensheafawards.com for registration information.

---

Sask Filmpool and William F. Whites: Equipment Deferral Grant

The Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative and William F. Whites have developed a new opportunity for members seeking equipment use. Through the Filmpool grant application [April 15th, 2012], members may apply for free access to equipment at William F. Whites rental houses across Canada.

Initiated by the philanthropic Andrew Gordon, this unique collaboration will open up access to equipment not normally available at the Filmpool. Up to $2500.00 in rental costs may be deferred for successful applicants.

In the coming weeks, the Filmpool will release a new grant application form for the April 15th, 2012 deadline, where members will be able to optionally apply for this opportunity. The applications will be adjudicated, as normal, by a select jury of peers. In this competitive application, knowledge of the gear requested, acknowledgement of insurance needs, and a list detailing the equipment needed and schedule, will be beneficial to the success of the application.

Applications will be accessible here in the comiing weeks. For more information, please contact:

Berny Hi, Production Coordinator
Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative 
306-757-8818
production@filmpool.ca 

---

Image Entertainment Acquires Rights to Minds Eye Entertainment’s The Tall Man Starring Jessica Biel

March 13, 2012 (Regina, CANADA) 

THE TALL MAN Set To Screen At SXSW (South By Southwest)Festival This March.

REGINA, SK – Image Entertainment, Inc. (OTCQB: DISK) has acquired the U.S. rights including theatrical, home entertainment, digital, VOD and broadcast, to the new thriller produced by Minds Eye Entertainment, THE TALL MAN.  The film premiered recently at the Berlin Film Festival and will be shown at this year’s SXSW Festival in March.  A dark and mysterious film about an unidentified child abductor,THE TALL MAN stars Jessica Biel (New Years Eve, The A-Team), Jodelle Ferland (The Cabin in the Woods, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse), Stephen McHattie (Immortals, 2012), William B. Davis (“The X-Files,” Passengers), Samantha Ferris (Along Came a Spider) and Katherine Ramdeen (The World, The Flesh & The Devil).  Today’s announcement was made by Image Entertainment’s Chief Acquisitions Officer Bill Bromiley and Minds Eye Entertainment’s Chief Executive Officer Kevin DeWalt. 

“THE TALL MAN is a chilling thriller that is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats,” commented Bromiley.  “We’re pleased to have picked up this exciting film so soon after its debut and plan to release it theatrically this fall.” 

"It is very gratifying to get a major US deal on any feature film let alone a Canadian content movie like THE TALL MAN,” adds DeWalt. “ I witnessed the screenings at the Berlin Film festival and I guarantee that everyone coming out of the theatre's world wide will be talking about the twists and turns in this movie."

A darkness hovers upon the town of Cold Rock.  Children have gone missing over the years leaving neither a clue, nor a witness.  Superstitious locals talk of “The Tall Man”, a legendary, mysterious dark figure who takes children away never to be seen again.  Julia (Biel) is a nurse living in Cold Rock who doesn’t believe in legends. That is, until one night, she wakes with an eerie feeling only to find her son’s bed empty.  Frantic, she rushes downstairs where she stops dead in her tracks – a huge dark figure stands in the entrance holding her son, David.  Driven by pure instinct, Julia rushes after them willing to do whatever it takes to get her son back.  The chase is on and with it, the quest for answers.  Who is the Tall Man?  And what has become of the children?

THE TALL MAN is written and directed by Pascal Laugier. The film is a France/Canada treaty production produced by Minds Eye Entertainment’s Kevin DeWalt, Radar Films’ Clément Miserez, Forecast Pictures’ Jean-Charles Lévy and Highwire Pictures’ Scott Kennedy. International distribution is being handled by Paris based SND (Societe Nouvelle de Distribution ).

Click here to read the full press release. 

---

AlienTrap Games interview on Game Spot at GDC

AlienTrap Games has developed a new PC-based game, Apotheon. Click here to watch the Game Spot interview with AlienTrap’s Lee Vermeulen and Jesse McGibs.

Apotheon is a 2D platform action-rpg set on the rich stage of ancient Greek mythology. Hera, the queen of Olympus, has overthrown her husband Zeus, and taken his throne as ruler of the Gods. Bitter and scornful towards the race of mortals, she launches a murderous campaign to scour them from the earth. As humanity’s last champion, you must pass through the land of the dead, infiltrate Mount Olympus, and end the wrath of the Gods. With sword, spear, and shield in hand, you will sneak, conspire, loot, and battle your way through majestic palaces and chthonic depths as you climb towards godhood. Only by stripping the old gods of their powers, and taking control of the elements as your own, can humanity hope to survive the coming oblivion.

Apotheon will have both a sprawling, open-world singleplayer campaign where you climb your way to the top of Mount Olympus, gaining divine power and deadly enemies along the way,  and online multiplayer battles with tactical bronze-age combat (spears and arrows!).

Final platforms and release date are still unknown, but the game will be a PC release first.

Click here for more information on AlienTrap’s website.

---

Yorkton This Week: Gunderson ready for web debut

By Calvin Daniels

The much talked about local webisode series Gunderson is about to debut its first Internet-cast in April.

“We’ll be hosting launch parties both in Regina (April 5th) and Yorkton (April 7th), so we invite fans to come out to that,” said producer Daniel Redenbach. “Tyson and I will be in attendance, as well as other cast and crew. We’ll be screening some of the episodes for the first time ever, and some exclusive footage. But most importantly they can join us online! We’re very active on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, so they can come comment, send us a message, share it with their friends... we involve and respond to everyone we can. We post all kinds of stuff- pictures, stories, news, even special videos like “Shit People From Yorkton Say.” Glen Gunderson is on Facebook as well... though sometimes there is no controlling what that kid will say.”

The full article can be read at www.yorktonthisweek.com

---

CSSC short film WILL to premiere at Wide Angle Media Festival in Vancouver

Congrats to member David Cormican who's latest CSSC short film WILL, will enjoy its world premiere at the Wide Angle Media Festival in BC on MARCH 23rd, 2012!

Logline: Will (David Cormican), a paranoid and confused Canadian soldier of German descent becomes trapped in an impact crater during WWI, realizing he will not survive the ordeal, he commits to killing a similarly trapped neighboring German soldier named Karl (Michael Hyder).

For more informaton visit: http://wideanglemedia.ca/films/will

---

Minds Eye Entertainment Film "The Tall Man" named as one of  Most Anticipated Films of SXSW 2012

While Sundance still gets the headlines, the last few years have seen the film strand of South By Southwest, the Austin, Texas cultural conference, become just as vital to the movie world as Robert Redford's baby. The Tall Man plays March 12th and 15th at the Alamo Lamar, as well as March13th at the Violet Crown in Austin, Texas. 

The film is set in the small town of Cold Rock, which has been plagued for decades by a spate of mysterious child abductions, attributed by locals  to the mysterious Tall Man. When her son disappears, a nurse must attempt to get to the bottom of the legend.

The film will mark the English-language debut of French filmmaker Pascal Laugier (Martyrs, 2008). 

Read the full IndieWire.com release here.

---

Local webseries Gunderson covered on "Webseries today" blog

GUNDERSON, a new comedy web series, will premiere online on April 8th. The 10-episode series documents a summer for loser Glen Gunderson in Yorkton, Saskatchewan at odds with his mayor candidate father.

Gunderson stars Tyson Off (Welcome To Yorkton), James Whittingham (James & Kevin Show, Just for Laughs), Keon Francis(Bionic Bannock Boys), Duncan Fisher (Super Hybrid), Ashton Francis (Skit Skit) and newcomers Angel Genereux and Laura Steponchev.

The series was created and written by Daniel Redenbach and Tyson Off, and produced and directed by Redenbach.

Boasting a hilarious cast, a deadly roster of Canadian rock and punk bands on the soundtrack, rap music videos, and its' own unique and crass brand of humor, GUNDERSON is a comedy for the web unlike any other you've seen. For fans of Trailer Park Boys, Eastbound & Down, Fubar and Corner Gas, we'd like to welcome you to Yorkton, Saskatchewan. It's gonna be wicked rank.

Watch the trailer on the "web series Today" blog. 

---

Minds Eye's 13 Eerie Official Trailer

The official trailer for 13 Eerie has been released! Directed by local filmmaker Lowell Dean, the film follows six forensic undergrads, competing against one another on a scientific expedition to a remote island, vying to win an esteemed trainee position with the FBI.  Unbeknownst to them, the site was formerly used as an illegal biological testing ground for life-term criminals who were then left for dead. The arrival of the students disturbs the resting place, unleashing a pack of zombie criminal convicts who systematically hunt them down, one by one.

Click here to check out coverage from Dread Central!

---

Seth on Survival and Your Lupine Life Official Selections for Hollyweb 2012

Congratulations to Torin Stefanson and Teri Armitage on their webseries, Seth on Survival, and Your Lupine Life being named official selections at the Hollyweb Web Series Festival 2012!  Seth on Survival is a horror comedy about Seth, a young man who teaches his viewers how to survive paranormal threats, such as vampires, leprechauns, zombies, and cyborgs. Your Lupine Life is a tween action/adventure series following Louis Pine, who is convinced that he’s turning  werewolf during full moons.

Click here for more information about the Hollyweb Web Series Festival 2012. 

Click here to read a sit-down interview with Torin Stefanson about Seth on Survival. 
For more information on Your Lupine Life, click here.

---

Shiverware Interactive's Rainboard

Local company Shiverware Interactive has been getting alot of attention lately with their Rainboard. The Rainboard is a DIY dynamic isomorphic keyboard. It can interface the Musix iOS app in order to change layouts and adjust settings. As well, it can be played on its own after a layout is set. Click here to see a Rainboard demonstration.

For more information about the Rainboard click here. 

---

Rusted Pyre to Open Fort Myers

Rusted Pyre will open the Fory Myers Film Festival in Fort Myers, Florida. The Festival runs from March 21- 25, 2012. Produced by David Cormican, Rusted Pyre follows Ginny (Samantha Somer Wilson) and Sally (Brooke Palsson) as they venture out in the middle of Winter a ways out of town to endure a rite of passage in a secluded, abandoned old car. The two share a ghost story that turns in to a power struggle before it takes a terrifyingly twist as the story becomes a new ghost story. “Mean Girls” meets “Ginger Snaps” in this compact horror flick.

Rusted Pyre will make an early morning premiere on CBC on March 18, 2012.  Congrats to the team!

---

More Media Coverage for Rufus!

Article: Dundurn goes Hollywood
by David Giles, Global Saskatoon, Friday, Feb. 24, 2012 :

Dundurn, about 20 minutes south of Saskatoon, has gone Hollywood after filming started on the movie “Rufus” at the end of January. The movie tells the story of a lonely teenage vampire who discovers what it means to be human and falls in love with the girl next door. “[It’s] a fresh spin on the vampire film that deals with real teen and human issues,” said producer Anand Ramayya of Saskatoon based Karmafilm. Rufus is directed by David Schultz, who describes the film as “a haunting examination of the secrets we all keep and the accumulative toll they take on our daily lives.” 

To read the full article, click here. 

You can also click here to watch the Global Saskatoon interview with Rufus cast member Kim Coates. 

---

SKiOS: Saskatchewan iOS Group Starting Up

The Saskatchewan iOS group is intended for people who are iPad/iPhone developers, those who are interested in learning more about iOS, as well as people who simply want to network as a community. The SKiOS is hoping to build a iOS/mobile platform developers list, in order to allow Saskatchewan companies to find local developers.

Click here to check out the website/newsletter. Click here to join the facebook group. 

---

SMPIA Member selected for Telefilm's Canadian Video Game Showcase

SMPIA is excited to announce that member Lee Vermeulen of Saskatoon’s Alientrap Games will be part of the Telefilm's Canadian Videogame Showcase at the Game Developer's Conference (GDC) in San Francisco March 5-9th, 2012.

Lee was selected as one of 20 export-ready independent Canadian game development companies to travel as part of a delegation aimed at the promotion of Canadian talent in the interactive digital media industry.  This is the first time that a Saskatchewan company has been selected to participate in this Telefilm program.

“It will be a great opportunity for us to showcase our past projects to the public and look for business partners with our new project.” Lee Vermeulen, Alientrap Games

"This program will be fabulous exposure for Lee.  Not only will he be able to connect with national and international colleagues and funders, and he will also be shining a spotlight on the incredible digital media talent we have in Saskatchewan.   We are so proud to have him representing Saskatchewan in this showcase." Nova Alberts, SMPIA

The Canadian Videogame Showcase at the Game Developers Conference is an initiative of Telefilm Canada in collaboration with the Canada Media Fund. http://www.telefilm.ca/en/festivals-and-markets/markets/game-developers-conference-2012

For more information, contact:

Lee Vermuelen
Alientrap Games
Phone: 306-230-5303
Email: vermeulen@alientrap.org
http://www.alientrap.org/ 

About The Game Developer's Conference
Held in San Francisco from March 5 to 9, 2012, the Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the world's largest industry-only event dedicated to the advancement of interactive entertainment. In 2011, the GDC attracted over 19,000 game industry professionals including 150 companies from Canada. http://www.gdconf.com/ 

About Telefilm
Telefilm Canada is a federal cultural agency dedicated to developing and promoting the Canadian audiovisual industry. Telefilm provides financial support to the private sector to create distinctively Canadian products that appeal to domestic and international audiences. Telefilm also administers the Canada Media Fund’s programs.  www.telefilm.gc.ca 

Together, the Government of Canada and its partners are supporting Canada’s leading game development industry at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco with prestigious meeting space, a networking event and a matchmaking program

---

Lights, Camera, Dundurn: Vampire film shoots in small town

BY STEPHANIE MCKAY, THE STARPHOENIX

In a small Saskatchewan town, past empty storefronts and Big Mur's Tavern, people mill about the local legion hall on an impossibly warm February day.

There is a still in the air that has nothing to do with the Saskatchewan landscape. All is quiet on the set of Rufus, a new feature film being shot in Dundurn, as the cast films its last few scenes before lunch.

To read the full article, click here.

For further information, contact:
Kelly Balon, Publicist (306) 880-3363 kelly@karmafilm.ca

---

Saskatchewan web-based comedy series to premiere April 8th

First trailer for web-series set in Yorkton garners anticipation and 2500 views

(Feb 13, 2012 – Regina/Yorkton) Gunderson is an exciting new comedy stylized specifically for the Internet, telling the dramatic story of loser Glen Gunderson at odds with his Mayor-candidate father in the city of Yorkton, Saskatchewan. The story is told in a variety of formats, including improvisational documentary footage, webcam diaries, cinematic drama/action scenes, and rap music videos. The result, we hope, is just as hilarious and entertaining as it is profane and irreverent.

Daniel Redenbach, filmmaker and assistant director from Regina teamed with Yorkton’s own YouTube-favorite Tyson Off, creating and writing the series together. Daniel directed, produced, and shot the series, while Tyson starred as the title character- a role that had him acting 130 scenes over a hectic 11-day schedule. Gunderson was created on a shoestring budget with a small, dedicated crew.

The series spans 10 episodes that run 6-8 minutes each. The episodes can be downloaded and shared for free across the Internet, streamed to any computer and mobile platform, including iPhone, iPad and Android. Daniel and Tyson will be thanking fans that donate $10 or more with additional content only available to them.

Gunderson showcases a talented Saskatchewan cast including James Whittingham (James & Kevin Show, Just For Laughs), Duncan Fisher (Super Hybrid, Globe Theatre’s Peter Pan), Ashton Francis (Saskatoon’s Skit Skit), Keon Francis (APTN’s Bionic Bannock Boys) and newcomers Angel Genereux and Laura Steponchev.

Gunderson also features a variety of Yorkton talent: Paper Bag Players’ Tami Hall and David Walker, and some colorful local flavor including Nicole Ruttig as a sexy cougar that changes Gunderson’s life forever. Yorkton’s youthful and crass slang is also highlighted: “It’s gonna be wicked rank” reads the show’s tagline.

Gunderson’s rock and roll aesthetic is complimented by a roster of Saskatchewan’s best alternative, rock, and punk bands including Kleins96, Molten Lava, Shooting Guns, Volcanoless in Canada, The Rabid Whole and more.

It’s no coincidence that the show takes place in Yorkton, as Daniel and Tyson grew up in the small Saskatchewan city together last decade. The show is about that strange relationship one has with the town they grew up in, their family, and the community around them. Its both a crude love letter to the city, as well as a stage for all the trouble a delinquent like Glen Gunderson can get into when there is simply nothing better to do.

Gunderson was funded with the assistance of the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit, and a number of local Yorkton community sponsors including NAU Group, Wheatland Water, Cab Clothing, Yorkton Toyota, Key Chevrolet, Capital KIA, Big Zee’s Pizza and Skin City Tattoos.

View the Trailer! (contains strong language & mature content) http://youtu.be/mh9W1WAQeYc

Connect with us! www.gunderson.tv
on Facebook: Gunderson
on Twitter: @gundersonTVon YouTube: GundersonTV
Daniel Redenbach, Producer – Regina, (306) 351-9309, danielredenbach@gmail.com

---

Congrats to the Wapos Bay team on winning the Kidscreen award for Best TV Movie!

Read more at: http://kidscreen.com/2012/02/09/and-the-2012-kidscreen-awards-go-to/

---

Minds Eye Entertainment Film to Premiere at SXSW

Article from the LA Times Blog: Jessica Biel, Nazis top SXSW midnight movies lineup

The South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival announced its midnight features and short film slate Wednesday, a horror and sci fi-heavy list of films that includes Jessica Biel going up against a child abductor in "The Tall Man," a gory anthology from directors including Ti West and Joe Swanberg called "V/H/S" and a comedy about Nazis on the moon starring Udo Kier called "Iron Sky."

Read the full article from the LA Times: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2012/02/sxsw-announces-midnighters-and-shorts.html

---

Principal Photography begins on RUFUS

UK teen actor Rory Saper leads cast in David Schultz’ third feature film

February 8, 2012 (SASKATOON) – A lonely supernatural teenager discovers what it means to be human in director David Schultz’ third original feature film, RUFUS, that began principal photography last week in Dundurn, Saskatchewan. Produced by Saskatoon’s Anand Ramayya (KarmaFilm) and Calgary’s Bruce Harvey (Illusions Entertainment), the production introduces London’s emerging star Rory Saper as Rufus, the eternal teenager seeking peace and belonging in the small mid-western town of Conrad.

Saper is surrounded by a cast of veteran and emerging Canadian talent including David James Elliott (JAG, CSI: NY) as Sheriff Hugh Wade, Richard Harmon (Judas Kiss, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief) as the town bully “Clay”, Merritt Patterson (Percy Jackson) as “Tracy”, the uninhibited love interest next door, and Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy, Resident Evil) as Bristol Anderson executive “Aaron Van Dusen” who claims Rufus is the property of the pharmaceutical giant. Kelly Rowan (The O.C.) stars as “Jennifer” the grieving mother of a lost son who takes Rufus in as her own.

“Rufus is a haunting examination of the secrets we all keep and the accumulative toll they take on our daily lives,” director Dave Schultz comments. “Our story is an intimate study of the desires and demons that haunt our souls.” Producer Anand Ramayya calls Rufus “a fresh spin on the vampire film that deals with real teen and human issues.” “It’s always a pleasure to work on a film you believe in creatively,” says producer Bruce Harvey, “and an even greater pleasure when you can do it with friends.” Director of photography, Craig Wrobleski (Heartland, 45 RPM) comments on the town of Dundurn as “perfectly suited for the fictional town of Conrad in “Rufus”. I'm looking forward to capturing the area and the beautiful Saskatchewan light."

Rufus shoots in Dundurn January 30th to February 28th and will be theatrically distributed in Canada by Entertainment One. The project has received production financing from Telefilm Canada, SaskFilm & Video Development Corporation, Shaw Rocket Fund, Rogers Telefund, the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit Program, the Alberta Multimedia Development Fund, and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, and developed with the participation of Telefilm, Saskfilm and the Harold Greenberg Fund. Presold to The Movie Network, Movie Central and Saskatchewan Communications Network “Rufus” will air on Canadian Television following its theatrical release.

For further information, contact:
Kelly Balon, Publicist (306) 880-3363 kelly@karmafilm.ca 

 

---

Pink Magazine Highlights Women in Saskatchewan Film

Women in Film are featured in latest issue of Pink magazine – including our own board members Holly Baird and Rhonda Baker!

http://www.getcompass.ca/pinkmag.html

---

SaskFilm featured in the Location Guide Blog

Filming on location in Saskatchewan with SaskFilm’s Tobi Lampard

10 Feb 2012 by Murray Ashton

Read the article here.

you can check out the SaskFilm Locations blog at http://sasklocations.wordpress.com/  The latest entry features Partners in Motion’s Edge of War factual series.

If you have location photos or ideas that you would like to share for possible use in future locations blog entries, please feel free to contact Tobi Lampard at tobi@saskfilm.com

---

New Interactive Tablet Brochures Available from Melcher Media & Design 

Regina-based Melcher Media & Design has launched a new tool for all businesses and promotional ventures to refresh the classic brochure and bring it into the next generation. 

Essentially Melcher has captured a structured yet animated and interactive marketing message and begun to enable their clients to showcase an innovative side to their presentations and advertisements.  Its an interactive touch screen or mouse click application that can be loaded to tablets (including iPad, Samsung, Acer as well as others)

Insightwest Research, one of Melcher Media’s clients, has had an Interactive Brochure developed to provide a tour to their clients and stakeholders of the specific messaging and information they feel is most impactful to new and / or returning viewers.  A demonstration of this customer application can be seen at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DCvyJ8XUCs  You can also see other tablet brochures on their YouTube channel as well.

Melcher Media & Design is very excited about adding this tool to more of its exiting and future customer base as it the Saskatchewan firm believes that the Interactive Brochure will be very effective in sales presentations, publishing reports, socializing corporate information and adding an extra “touch” of innovation and quality to proposals.

---

Saskatoon's Noodlecake Studios Recognized with Another Honor 

Saskatoon's Noodlecake Studios has recieved another honor for their Super Stickman Golf game.   They have been named  Best Multiplayer Game from the 2011 Best App Ever Awards from the 148apps network.  

Check it out here! http://www.bestappever.com/awards/2011/winner/mpgm

---

Twisted Pair Productions works on Oscar nominated project

Leaderpost Article: Regina pair part of Oscar-nominated film

By Emma Graney, Leader-Post

REGINA — Two sound effect artists with ties to Regina were excited enough to be offered the opportunity to work on a National Film Board animated short a year and a half ago.

That excitement level went through the roof after the film was nominated for an Oscar earlier this week.

Read the full article here.

Full list of nominees available at: http://oscar.go.com/nominees

---

Angel Entertainment makes deal at Sundance

Hollywood Reporter Article: Sundance 2012: Julie Dash to Direct Canadian Indie 'Tupelo 77' by Etan Vlessing

The director of the Angela Bassett-starrer "The Rosa Parks Story" will helm the Canuck indie film from Angel Entertainment in summer 2012.

Julie Dash (The Rosa Parks Story) is to direct the indie feature Tupelo 77  from Canadian indie producer Angel Entertainment.  Written by Rich Mancuso, the theatrical drama portrays a group of woman of varied ages and races who frequent a roadside diner in small-town Mississippi in the hot summer of 1977, just as Elvis Presley tragically died.

Read the full article here. 

---

Rogers Media to Acquire SCN and Launch Citytv Saskatchewan

– Acquisition provides expanded national platform for Citytv’s local, original and acquired programming
– Heavy investment in production includes launch of HD signal and commitment to local independent producers

TORONTO (January 17, 2012) – Rogers Media Inc. today announced its intent to acquire a 100 per cent stake in Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN) and launch Citytv Saskatchewan. The investment allows Citytv to expand its footprint in key markets and provide a national platform for its programming, while simultaneously supporting SCN’s historical role of offering educational programming.

The deal is currently pending regulatory approval, with a decision expected in Spring 2012. This announcement follows the previous Rogers Media program supply agreement with SCN that was announced in December 2011.

“Acquiring SCN was motivated by our desire to expand our national reach for Citytv content, allowing us to more effectively compete with other national broadcasters,” said Scott Moore, President, Broadcast, Rogers Media. “Rogers Media will provide ownership stability and financial resources needed to maintain and grow this service for Saskatchewan residents.”

Maintaining all of SCN’s educational broadcast obligations, Citytv Saskatchewan will continue to air commercial-free educational content during the 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. time block. Throughout the remainder of the day, the network will air local, original and acquired Citytv programming, such as CityLine, Modern Family, The Neighbors Dog, 15 Minutes of Fame, 2 Broke Girls, and the upcoming Canada’s Got Talent.

Rogers Media is a strong supporter of independent producers and giving local citizens and artists a voice. Having a direct presence in Saskatchewan will allow Citytv to develop relationships and work more closely with local producers to source projects for a national audience.

The Saskatchewan production community will derive significant benefits from the acquisition through CPE and PNI commitments and a tangible benefits package directed exclusively to independent producers in Saskatchewan.

In addition, Rogers Media will provide capital investment for production upgrades, including offering a high definition signal for Citytv Saskatchewan and updating traffic equipment.
Citytv Saskatchewan will operate out of Regina with the current management team and employees, with support from the extended Citytv and Rogers Media family.

About Rogers Media Inc. Rogers Media Inc., a division of Rogers Communications Inc., (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RCI), operates Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. and Rogers Publishing Ltd. Rogers Broadcasting has 55 AM and FM radio stations across Canada. Television properties include five Citytv stations, five OMNI multicultural television stations, Sportsnet (consisting of four regional channels and the nationally-distributed Sportsnet ONE), and The Shopping Channel, a televised and internet shopping service. Rogers Publishing produces many well-known consumer magazines, such as Maclean's, Chatelaine, Flare, L'actualité, and Canadian Business, and is the leading publisher of a number of industry, medical and financial publications. All media properties are integrated with their own popular websites. Rogers Media Inc. owns Rogers Centre stadium, a year-round sports and entertainment facility, and the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club.

-30-

Media Contacts: Michelle Lomack, Citytv, michelle.lomack@rci.rogers.com; w-416-764-3190, c-416-819-2783

www.scn.ca

---

MJ Times Herald Article: Echolands to return to Moose Jaw with three short films

By Austin Davis

Saskatchewan filmmakers have an opportunity to feel like Hollywood shot-callers on Jan. 21.

Echolands Creative Group is presenting three short films by filmmakers within the province at the Mae Wilson Theatre.  The screening is called Echolands Does Moose Jaw II: Three Deadly Short Films by Saskatchewan Filmmakers. 

Read the full article here. 

---

Star Phoenix Article featuring member CollegeMobile: Office Gives A Helping Hand To Startups

By Scott Larson, The StarPhoenix January 17, 2012

You can have the best idea in the world, but it's not worth much if you can't get it to market.

Glen Schuler and his staff at the Industry Liaison Office (ILO) at the University of Saskatchewan are trying to make sure every good idea or technology coming out of the campus has a chance to get to the marketplace.

"We accelerate the commercialization of university research and knowledge," said Schuler, ILO's managing director.

The ILO, established in 2004, is helping shepherd new technologies either by licensing the technology to existing companies or creating technology-based startup companies.

Read the full article here.

---

Noodlecake Studios releases Lunar Racer Game

Review by Touch Arcade

The first batch of new game releases in 2012 last week was relatively quiet, but Lunar Racer [99¢] from NoodleCake Studios (the makers of Super Stickman Golf have got things off to a positive start by releasing a new lo-gravity racing game with plenty of jumps, heaps of flips and a couple of weapons.

Read the full review at: http://toucharcade.com/2012/01/11/lunar-racer-review/

---

Zoot Pictures gets 2012 History Makers Award Nomination!

The international juries have announced the list of nominees for the 2012 History Makers Awards. Presented on Thursday, January 26, 2012 during History Makers International 2012, the awards will recognize the very best in History, Current Affairs, and non-Fiction programming from around the world, across digital and TV platforms. 

Included amongst the 2012 History Makers Awards nominees are:

Remote Control War    
Zoot Pictures
For broadcaster: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC-TV) 
Country: Canada

For more information visit: http://www.historymakersintl.com/2012-history-makers-awards-nominees.php

---

Citytv and SCN Sign Affiliate Agreement 

TORONTO AND REGINA (December 20, 2011) – In an aggressive pursuit to increase its presence in key markets across Canada, Citytv has signed an affiliate agreement with Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN), the two networks announced today.

Beginning January 2, Citytv programming will air from 3 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. CST every day, at which time the network will officially be called ‘Citytv on SCN’.  Throughout the remainder of the day, the station will be referred to as ‘SCN’, and will continue to air educational and children’s programming, commercial free.

“Early on, we identified Saskatchewan as one of the key markets in which we sought to expand our footprint.  This deal allows us to deliver our world-class programming to the entire province and extend the popular Citytv brand,” said Scott Moore, President of Broadcasting, Rogers Media.  “Having a dedicated Citytv presence in Saskatchewan gives viewers a more consistent and reliable viewing experience.  It also offers the people of Saskatchewan great Canadian programming, which cannot be found on U.S. networks.”

From 3 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. CST, the Citytv on SCN lineup will follow Citytv’s national programming grid, and includes such hits as Terra Nova, New Girl, Modern Family, 30 Rock, Alcatraz, Canada’s No. 1 daytime program,CityLine, and Citytv’s blockbuster original series Canada’s Got Talent, which debuts in March.  In addition, local Saskatchewan programming will air post 3 p.m. on Citytv on SCN in mid-2012 leading into the prime Fall television season, and will feature such hit favourites as The Neighbors Dog, 15 Minutes of Fame, and documentaries.

There will not be any changes to SCN’s current educational, children’s and local programming from 6 a.m. to 2:59 p.m. CST, while its commitment to local production also remains intact.

“We’ve always had great respect for Rogers and we’re delighted to be associated with them,” said Bruce Claassen, CEO and Owner, SCN.   “Their involvement adds a further level of depth to what SCN can be, and that is to be a major broadcaster in Saskatchewan.”

SCN will continue to operate out of Regina with the current management team and employees.

“We are very pleased to be affiliated with Rogers and Citytv,” said Joanne McDonald, General Manager, SCN.  “Citytv has an outstanding schedule.  Add that to our world-class local production and educational content, and we have a channel that offers viewers the best programming in the province.”

About SCN
SCN is Saskatchewan’s provincial educational broadcaster. Owned and operated by the Bluepoint Investment Corporation, SCN offers a blend of educational, informative, and entertaining programming with a dedicated children’s, educational and local programming non-commercial schedule from 6:00am-3:00pm.  SCN is committed to Saskatchewan production by investing in content and bringing those stories to our audience. SCN is available throughout Saskatchewan on cable and satellite, as well as across Canada on satellite. More information about SCN can be found on the network’s website at www.SCN.ca.

About Citytv
Citytv™ television stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg offer viewers intensely-local, urban-oriented, culturally-diverse television programming. A distinct alternative to other conventional television stations, Citytv engages its viewers with dynamic on-air personalities and delivers an entertaining mix of news, local-interactive formats such as: Breakfast Television and CityLine; as well as local Canadian and US acquired prime time entertainment programming. Citytv is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited, a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For more information on Citytv stations and programming, visit www.citytv.com

-30-

Media Contacts: 
Michelle Lomack, Citytv, michelle.lomack@rci.rogers.com; w-416-764-3190, c-416-819-2783

Joanne McDonald, SCN, joanne.mcdonald@scn.ca; w-306-779-2726 x232, c-306-570-6709

---

Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund Supports 29 Script Development Projects including Sask project

Toronto, January 4, 2012- Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund's English-Language Program (Fund) is pleased to announce its latest round of funding for 29 new and ongoing projects through its Script Development Program. 

Including Saskatchewan's:

Glitch
Karma Film Inc. & Divani Films
Srinivas Krishna & Peter Lauterman

Chosen from 133 applications, the most recent selection includes new projects from some of Canada's most illustrious filmmakers including Vincenzo Natali's Nobody and Sarah Polley's adaptation of Alias Grace and Paris, to be directed by Paul Haggis. Nobody is Vincenzo Natali's adaptation of Shundo Ohkawa's Japanese film of the same name. It is a high concept thriller being produced by Copperheart Entertainment. Alias Grace, the Giller prize-winning novel by Margaret Atwood, is being adapted by Sarah Polley. The novel is based on a true story about a notorious Canadian 19th century murder. Paris is Academy Award-winning director Paul Haggis' politically motivated drama, written by Dawn Kuisma.Fellow Oscar-winning producer Bobby Moresco is also attached to the project, along with Christine Tyson.

Highly anticipated projects from second feature filmmakers include Peter Stebbings' Empire of Dirt and The Lion's Share from Nathan Morlando and Allison Black. As a follow up to his directorial debut in Defendor, Peter Stebbings latest project is Empire of Dirt. This First Nations story about families rebuilding is being written by Shannon Masters, and produced by Jennifer Podemski. Edwin Boyd creators Nathan Morlando and Allison Black are back after having recently won Best First Canadian Feature at the Toronto International Film Festival®. Their latest project, The Lion's Share is the story of two men from opposite sides of the world and the law fighting for their families in the face of economic disaster. 

Making a screenwriting debut is Giller prize-winning novelist Joseph Boyden with the adaptation ofRed. It is based on a graphic novel by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas that fuses Aboriginal tales and Japanese-style comic art. While this is Joseph Boyden's first screenplay, he is a best-selling, critically acclaimed novelist known for stories such as Three Day Road and Through Black Spruce.

The Trailer Park Boys are back with the mockumetary Race Dicks. Stars Robb Wells, John Paul Tremblay and Mike Smith play themselves as they compete with drivers from around the world in the Newfoundland Targa. While this crew differs from the boys we've come to know from the long running, hit TV series, their typical misadventures ensue. 

We're also proud to announce our continuing support of many ongoing projects, including The Outlander and Sailor Girl. Both The Outlander and Sailor Girl have been supported in the second to final draft stage.

“This was a very competitive round of development, with a number of exceptional projects from some of the greatest filmmakers in Canada,” said John Galway, President of Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund's English-Language Program. “Despite that, we were able to support a wide range of projects that accurately represents the diversified portfolio we pride ourselves on.”

The Script Development Program was created to assist in the development of quality Canadian feature film scripts. The program receives a yearly contribution of $1.3 million from Astral's The Movie Network. The script development applications are reviewed each quarter by the English-Language Committee of Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund, which includes Suzette Couture, Damon D'Oliveira, Melanie Friesen, John Galway, Bryn Matthews, Jane Tattersall and Kevin Wright.

Astral's Harold Greenberg Fund is a member of the Astral family. Founded in 1961, Astral is one of Canada's largest media companies. It operates several of the country's most popular pay and specialty television, radio, out-of-home advertising and digital media properties. Astral plays a central role in community life across the country by offering diverse, rich and vibrant programming that meets the tastes and needs of consumers and advertisers. To learn more about Astral, visit astral.com.

-30-

For more information, please contact Allison Lawrence at 416-956-5431 or alawrence@astral.com.

---

FEROCIOUS Wraps Principal Photography in Saskatoon

December 21, 2011 (SASKATOON) – Writer/ Director Robert Cuffley’s thriller “Ferocious”, produced by Saskatoon’s Anand Ramayya (KarmaFilm) and Calgary’s Carolyn McMaster (CHAOS a film company), wrapped on principal photography on Wednesday December 14th. 

Ferocious stars Amanda Crew (“Sex Drive, Charlie St. Cloud”) as Leigh Parrish, a likeable, small-town girl, now famous actress, that takes increasingly drastic steps to protect her fame.  The all Canadian cast also includes Kim Coates (“Resident Evil: Afterlife”, “Sons of Anarchy”) as the intimidating and ruthless “Sal”, Michael Eklund (“The Divide”, “Watchmen”) as the sullen, heartbroken bar manager “Eric”, Katie Boland (“Day Dream Nation”, “Adoration”) as “Tess” a plucky, celebrity obsessed wannabe actress, and Dustin Milligan (“Shark Night 3D”, “Sisters and Brothers”) as Leigh Parrish’s slick and protective manager. 

Filming took place at various locations in Saskatoon.  The project has received support from SaskFilm, the Alberta Multimedia Development Fund, Telefilm Canada, Superchannel, and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.

For further information, contact:

Carolyn McMaster          
CHAOS a film company inc. 
+1 (403) 402-9414      
cmcmaster@chaosafilmcompany.com

Kelly Balon                          
Karma Film Inc. 
+1 (306) 880-3363                             
kelly@karmafilm.ca

---

Wapos Bay is all about family

The award-winning animated series comes to an end after a half decade of entertaining families

By Charles Hamilton, The StarPhoenix December 1, 2011

Read article

---

Amanda Crew Top-Lining 'Ferocious' Thriller in Canada

1/22/2011 by Etan Vlessing

Read article

---

Homecoming for actors filming Ferocious in Saskatoon

By Jenn Sharp, Bridges December 7, 2011

Read article

---

Kick Started; Canadian Filmmakers Greenlight 'Elijah The Prophet' Using Crowd-Funding Website

Canadian Short Screenplay Competition winning script brought to life by crowd-funding.

TORONTO, ON – Producer David Cormican and Director James Cooper have successfully crowd-funded approximately $21,000.00 through online website Kickstarter for their short film 'Elijah the Prophet'.

The film, set to be shot in the Spring of 2012, has raised approximately $21,000.00 in just 45 days through the Kickstarter campaign. 'Elijah' Producer, David Cormican offers "It's pretty incredible the power of crowd funding. And now we know we have 132 super fans and financial backers who are looking forward to the antics of Elijah the Prophet-- Not to mention the hundreds of folks who have been a part of our online army of social networkers. I'm extremely pleased with the show of support for Canadian Indie Film through this medium."

The 132 Kickstarter campaign contributors will be provided with a variety of unique rewards, ranging from original music from indie recording artist Olds Sleeper, limited edition artwork, Elijah bobble-heads and engraved flasks, to festival premiere tickets and digital copies of the completed short film.

The script, penned by Zachary and Jesse Herrmann of Brooklyn, New York, beat out over 500 other worldwide entries to take the grand prize for the 2010/11 Canadian Short Screenplay Competition last May during the Yorkton Film Festival.

'Elijah the Prophet' tells the comedic story of Elijah, the pious, chummy and alcoholic prophet, whose yearly antics have graced Jewish households for ages as part of the Passover celebration. Unfortunately, not everyone understands that drunk driving for him is a divine right, which soon gets him in trouble with the law.

"The script uses the Jewish tradition of Passover to tell a story of lost innocence and the harsh realities of growing up. It does so with a hilarious, irreverent twist that gives it universal appeal," said Cormican. "It's the moment when every kid realizes Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy or even the Easter Bunny aren't real. That's what drew me to this script".

The cast includes Gemini and Leo award nominee Brian Markinson (Charlie Wilson's War, Shooter, Caprica) in the title role as Elijah the Prophet. Melanie Nicholls-King (Rookie Blue, The Wire) and two-time Emmy Award nominee Tonya Lee Williams (Young & The Restless, Poor Boy's Game, She's The Mayor) play Officer Murphy and Cst. Jackie, respectively. Gemini nominated funny man, Carlos Diaz (Rent-a-Goalie, Cra$h & Burn), also lends his comedic chops to the short playing Brian.

Behind the camera, Cormican and Cooper have assembled an experienced team that includes: Genie and Gemini nominee, Director of Photography Alwyn Kumst (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Highland Gardens); indie music and recording artist, Olds Sleeper, as Composer; and veteran Sound Editor and two-time Genie nominee, Alan Hardiman (Relic Hunter, Kids in the Hall).

"Kickstarter offers us a unique ability to raise awareness for the film before we go to camera, which is something a lot of shorts have trouble doing", said Director James Cooper. "I cannot express the stress I felt when I clicked the "Launch Project" button 45 days ago, but the level of support and goodwill we've received as a result of the campaign has outweighed even our most optimistic projections."

Cormican's executive producer credits include feature film work on the Milla Jovavich starrer, 'Faces in the Crowd', the Jessica Biel thriller, 'The Tall Man' and the currently in production zombie slasher '13 Eerie' starring Katherine Isabelle (Ginger Snaps).

Cormican's last two produced short films from the Canadian Short Screenplay Competition, 'Minus Lara' and 'Rusted Pyre', have most recently been co-awarded the distinction of "Best in Canada" by the 2011 Reel Rave International Film Festival. 'Rusted Pyre', which first bowed in Cannes as part of Telefilm Canada's "Not Short on Talent" programme has also screened as an official selection of the CFC's Worldwide Short Film Festival, Calgary, Edmonton, Atlantic and Tulsa International Film Festivals. The short was also named one of the top 100 films of 2011 by the Young Cuts Film Festival. 'Minus Lara', a Bravo!FACT funded short film, has also received 'best of' honours at the Yorkton Film Festival and screened recently as an official selection of the Edmonton International Film Festival.

'Elijah the Prophet' will be the first produced screenplay for both Jesse & Zachary Herrmann as writers.

---

National Broadcast Premiere of Wapos Bay: Long Goodbyes

After a film festival run that included the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto, Chicago International Children's Film Festival, American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, LA Skins Festival in Los Angeles and Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival, Wapos Bay: Long Goodbyes has its national broadcast premiere tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 3) on APTN.

APTN is also celebrating the life of Gordon Tootoosis this weekend, airing several of the shows and films the legendary actor appeared in, and the Wapos Bay movie premiere is part of the weekend. Fans can tune in on Saturday, Dec. 3 (8 p.m. ET on APTN HD and APTN East, 8 p.m. MT on APTN West, 8 p.m. CT on APTN North).

And just announced this week, Wapos Bay has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2012 Kidscreen Awards for Best Kids One-Off, Special or TV Movie, as well as the special categories: Viewers Choice and Creative Talent. Check out the official announcement in the Nov. 29 issue of Kidscreen Daily. Also watch for a feature coming out in the January 2011 issue of Kidscreen magazine. The final winners will be announced at a high-profile presentation event at Kidscreen Summit on Feb. 9.

"Wapos Bay has enjoyed six seasons of broadcast as an animated series. It has been a very positive experience for young aboriginal people to have themselves represented in television, as one audience member stated in the Q&A following the [world premiere at imagineNATIVE]. A child being able to self-identify with characters in the media is very important in identitying development and helps reaffirm self-worth. Many parents expressed their gratitude to the creators, cast and crew of the series."
- Tyler Hagan, Arts Correspondent, CBC

"Long Goodbyes was charming, funny & oozed a loving warmth. Would definitely see again!"
- Emily Claire Afan, Writer / Contributor, Village Gamer and Orange Paperclip

"Wapos Bay: Long Goodbyes is a family friendly film that uses a creative and enhanced form of stop motion animation to tell the story of two kids whose father has accepted a political position that will mean relocating to the big city - and their ever more complicated attempts to prolong and pospone their farewells. While it has all of the hallmarks of the kind of well meaning children's TV programming that the characters and storyline originally come from, including a 'good citizen' message, the clever script also features a few jokes just for the parents. The animation is seamless and slickly produced, with elaborately constructed sets."
- Anya Wassenberg, Writer / Reviewer, Arts & Culture Blog

---

Principal Photography begins on FEROCIOUS

Amanda Crew stars along side Saskatoon's own Kim Coates & Michael Eklund in the feature length thriller

November 21, 2011 (SASKATOON) - Cameras began rolling today in Saskatoon on Calgary-based CHAOS a film company and Saskatoon based KarmaFilm's feature "FEROCIOUS" – a thriller about a popular television actress who tries to secretly retrieve a sexually incriminating videotape from a seedy nightclub.

"FEROCIOUS" stars multiple award winners Amanda Crew ("Sex Drive, Charlie St. Cloud") as the charming and determined actress "Leigh" and Kim Coates ("Resident Evil: Afterlife", "Sons of Anarchy") as the intimidating and ruthless "Sal". In addition, the feature stars Michael Eklund ("The Divide", "Watchmen") as the sullen, heartbroken bar manager "Eric" and Katie Boland ("Day Dream Nation", "Adoration") as "Tess" a plucky, celebrity obsessed wannabe actress.

CHAOS a film company's Robert Cuffley ("Walk All Over Me") is directing his original screenplay.

The producers of "FEROCIOUS," CHAOS a film company's Carolyn McMaster and Karma Film's Anand Ramayya, are very pleased to be in production in Saskatoon. "This is a very ambitious film and has taken a long time to develop and get before the camera, but we couldn't be happier with the cast and crew that we've assembled".

The majority of the filming will take place in and around Saskatoon, through to December 14th.

McMaster ("Walk All Over Me") and Ramayya ("45 RPM") are the film's producers. The director of photography is Mark Dobrescu ("13 Eerie"), music composition is by Mike Shields ("100 Days in the Jungle"), with Ken Filewych ("Walk All Over Me") serving as the film's editor.

"FEROCIOUS" is produced by CHAOS a film company inc., and Karma Film Inc. The feature will be released theatrically in Canada.

The project has received support from SaskFilm, the Alberta Multimedia Development Fund, Telefilm Canada, Superchannel, and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.

---

Another Feature Film Rolling in Saskatchewan

SPACE MILKSHAKE BEGAN PRODUCTION YESTERDAY

November 15, 2011 (Regina, SK) SaskFilm, the province's film commission and funding agency, is pleased to announce principal photography on Space Milkshake.

Written and directed by Armen Evrensel, the sci-fi comedy will film in the Canada Saskatchewan Production Studios in Regina from November 14th to December 3rd. The film stars Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings), Kristin Kreuk (Smallville), Amanda Tapping (Stargate, Sanctuary) and Robin Dunne (Sanctuary).

"Saskatchewan has a solid reputation as a production centre of excellence," says Susanne Bell, SaskFilm CEO and Film Commissioner. "We boast exceptional incentives and infrastructure, not to mention extraordinary production experience and Space Milkshake is another great example of a production coming to the province because of those qualities in addition to its producers' past experience working here."

The film is produced by Rob Merilees (Just Friends, Stone of Destiny) of Vancouver-based Foundation Features, Holly Baird and Shayne Putzlocher (Vampire Dog, Hard Core Logo 2) of Regina-based Trilight Entertainment and Robin Dunne. Executive producers are Tim Brown, Amanda Tapping, Billy Boyd and Kristin Kreuk.

"It's great to be back in Saskatchewan," says Merilees. "The crews are fantastic and the facilities are top notch."

The story follows four blue collar astronauts who are stuck together on a Sanitation Station after they bring a mysterious device aboard their ship and all life on Earth disappears. Discovering what happened to civilization is only the first of many galactic-level crises the astronauts will have to face as they are about to come under attack by a mutating rubber duck named Gary, who wants to open a portal to his evil dimension and take over the Universe.

Space Milkshake is produced with the financial assistance of Telefilm Canada, the SaskFilm Equity Investment Program, the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit, The Movie Network, Movie Central and SPACE. Joker Films is handling all sales.

---

Congratulations SMPIA Members College Mobile and noodlecake on their Digi Awards Nominations

Mainstream Media, Mobile Start-ups on The List of Digital Elite and Award Nominees

Canada's best and most successful digital media products and services, companies and people, are on 'The List'.

The Digi Awards (formerly the CNMAs) has unveiled its selections in 31 digital media categories, from best in mobile and gaming to web series and tablets.

Finalists of The List have also been selected as the 2011 nominees for this year's Digi Awards; it includes long-stablished mainstream media companies like the CBC and NFB, to new mobile and digital signage companies like TripWow and ScreenScape.

After a decade as the Canadian New Media Awards, the Digi Awards was launched as a new kind of awards program, honouring the best of Canadian digital media while also acknowledging the breadth and scale of the works created and developed here.

"The List is our way of recognizing the top tier of the entire Canadian digital ecosystem in a single place, and will serve as a crucial online resource for anyone in this country and around the world looking to get a sense of who's making waves in Canada," said Mark Greenspan, Executive Director of nextMEDIA.

The nationwide competition culminates in a gala ceremony, to be hosted by Jeremy Hotz December 6 in the grand ballroom at The Carlu in Toronto.

Now in its 11th year, the Digi Awards are a part of nextMEDIA Toronto, a conference and forum on the convergence of all forms of digital media, taking place December 5 and 6, also at The Carlu.

The List is posted online at http://www.thedigiawards.com/the-list.php

Read Article

---

Wapos Bay movie to premiere at imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival

WORLDWIDE AUDIENCE TO TUNE IN THROUGH LIVE STREAMING

Oct. 20, 2011 – Wapos Bay: Long Goodbyes, based on the Gemini award-winning TV series, will have its world premiere at the prestigious imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto at its Closing Night Gala presented by Global Toronto. Produced by Wapos Bay Productions Inc. in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada, the movie was selected for the closing night of the Festival's 12th edition and will screen on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m. ET at the TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King St W).

Fans from around the world will also have the opportunity to be part of the premiere via the Closing Night Technical Partner IsumaTV and a free live streaming at www.isuma.tv/nfb. Creator / producers Dennis & Melanie Jackson, actors Andrea Menard (The Velvet Devil, Moccasin Flats) and Eric Jackson will be available for the Q & A following the screening, moderated by imagineNATIVE executive director Jason Ryle who will be taking questions from the floor and via Skype for the online viewers.

"It is humbling to have our Wapos Bay finale movie screened at imagineNATIVE because it is one of the premiere indigenous film festivals in the world," said Dennis Jackson. "It is always an honour to be recognized by your peers whether those are other indigenous people, animators, filmmakers or friends. This screening will be a unique experience because fans can log in online and they don't necessarily have to be here in Toronto to watch the premiere."

The night will feature a special tribute to Wapos Bay cast member, the late Gordon Tootoosis (North of 60, Legends of the Fall). Announcements of the future of Wapos Bay will also be made on the night, including the launch of several online exclusive: a Mario kart racer - style video game, eBooks and episode downloads.

Tickets for the world premiere / imagineNATIVE are available in-person at the TIFF Bell Lightbox or Phoenix Concert Theatre, by calling the TIFF Box Office at 416-599-8433, or online at www.imaginenative.org.

The national broadcast premiere for Wapos Bay: Long Goodbyes is Saturday, Dec. 3 on APTN (8 p.m. ET on APTN HD and APTN East, 8 p.m. MT on APTN West, 8 p.m. CT on APTN North).

The movie has also been selected to screen at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival (Oct. 29), American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco (Nov. 5), LA Skins Festival in Los Angeles (Nov. 16-20) and Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival in Sydney, Australia.

---

Production Underway on Zombie Film 13 Eerie

(October 6, 2011 ­ REGINA, SK) An epic battle of the undead is underway in the Canadian prairie province of Saskatchewan.  Production on the feature length zombie flick 13 EERIE began earlier this week in Moose Jaw, Canada.
 
Six ambitious forensic undergrads are marooned on a remote island during a university field project. Unbeknownst to the group, the site was formerly used as an illegal biological testing ground for life-term criminals left for dead. But they aren't. They're undead.
 
The living cast includes Katharine Isabelle (Ginger Snaps) in the role of Megan, Michael Shanks (Stargate, Burn Notice, Smallville) in the role of Professor Tomkins, Brendan Fletcher (The Pacific, Freddy vs Jason) cast as Josh and Nick Moran (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) plays Larry.
 
Brendan Fehr (Bones, CSI: Miami) puts his CSI forensic skills to use as Daniel ­an undergraduate criminal sciences student.
 
While the zombies themselves are a tightly guarded secret, producers will admit the film applies a unique interpretation to the traditional zombie genre. 
 
"While you may have seen a zombie movie before, you haven't seen zombies quite like this," said producer Kevin Dewalt.
 
"Audiences will want to avoid dimly lit pathways on their way home from the theatre after seeing 13 Eerie. This isn't your everyday reanimated corpse," added producer Don Carmody.
 
The film is an Ontario/Saskatchewan interprovincial co-production produced by Don Carmody Productions and Minds Eye Entertainment.
 
Kevin Dewalt (The Tall Man, Faces in the Crowd), Don Carmody (Chicago, Silent Hill, Resident Evil) and Mark Montague (The Tall Man, Faces in the Crowd) are producing. Roger Christian (Bandido, Underworld) is an executive producer.
 
The film is the feature length debut for director Lowell Dean, a self-professed zombie aficionado and was written by Christian Piers Betley, whose thriller Dark Hearts is currently in post-production.
 
For more information:
Richelle Bourgoin, Publicist
T: 306.530.4012
E: rbourgoin@sasktel.net

---

Archived 2011 Member News

• InSecurity Set Sale
• Producer Shares Best in Canada Short Film Award Distinction Between His Two Films
• Brian Markinson, Melanie Nicholls-King and Tonya Lee Williams set to star in new Crowd-Funded Cormican Short Film
• Phoenix Group Announces the Acquisition of OH! Media
• Celebrating 65 Years of Film Yorkton Film Festival
• Java Post - New Film Grading Suite Features the Best Video Projector in the Province
• To Make A Farm to premiere at Vancouver International Film Festival
• Yorkton Film Festival launches 65 years at Culture Days
• Ted Hellard of Critical Mass is new Managing Partner at zu
• Union Pictures and Angel Entertainment to Partner
• Yorkton Film Festival brings new films to Canadian audiences
• A Whole New SCN Debuts September 12
• Canadian Wild Food TV series Untamed Gourmet Premieres Nationally on APTN
• Congratulations to Juxtapose Productions on their Hell on Hooves Gemini Win!
• Short Film Grand Slam; Edmonton Festival to Bow Three Canadian Short Screenplay Competition Films, Including World Premiere
• Saskatchewan Web Series Showcasing at Fan Expo Canada
• imagineNATIVE will close out with the World Premiere of Wapos Bay: Long Goodbyes
• SCN Receives Seven Gemini Nominations
• Congratulations to our Saskatchewan Gemini Nominated Productions & Industry Members!
• Production underway on feature length family film VAMPIRE DOG
• Hell on Hooves going to the Gemini's 2 years in a row!!
• Fahrenheit Films' Hrynchuk gets 2011 CCMA Video Director of the Year Nomination
• Minds Eye Entertainment to Develop Feature Film Based on Canadian Superhero CAPTAIN CANUCK
• Filming in Saskatchewan picks up
• Golf game success for local development firm
• Saskatoon Team to Pitch Comedy Series at the Just For Laughs Comedy Conference
• Production set to begin on Season 2 of CBC’s spy comedy INSECURITY
• saskhouses.com iPhone app coming soon from Sliced Projects
• Software for hard bodies
• SaskFilm - Regina is Film Friendly!
• From Cannes to Toronto; Canadian Short Screenplay Competition Winner Rusted Pyre to Bow at 17th Worldwide Short Film Fest

• SMPIA News
• Member News
• Local Industry Events
• AGM
• Showcase
• Multi-PlatFORUM 2012
• Multi-PlatFORUM 2011
• Interactive 2010!
• Other Events and Deadlines