Astral Media The Harold Greenberg Fund is pleased to announce its latest round of funding for 27 new and ongoing projects through its Script Development Program and Equity Investment Program.
Chosen from a record 139 applications (nearly twice the average amount), the most recent selection of supported projects includes a dynamic combination of new stories from old hands and old favourites from new voices.
“New voices are always exciting and, of course, essential to the growth of our industry, but it’s great that we’re also seeing scripts from filmmakers whose success we have shared in the past,” said John Galway, President, English-Language Program, Astral Media The Harold Greenberg Fund. “The fact that we have an established core of capable creative professionals who are continuing to produce work lets us know that we’re succeeding in our efforts to support local talent, and make screenwriting a viable career option in Canada.”
This latest collection of supported scripts includes new projects from recognized industry veterans Sarah Polley (Away From Her) and Michael McGowan (One Week), while Michael Dowse (Fubar) gives us a small-town Newfoundland take on the 2024 Quebec hit La Grande séduction.
Projects approved this quarter include:
SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Story Optioning
The Flying Troutmans
Four Seasons Productions Inc.
Screenwriters: Semi Chellas and Miriam Toews
King Leary
Verite Films Inc.
Screenwriter: Paul Quarrington
The Outlander
Strada Films Inc. and Triptych Media Inc.
Screenwriter: TBD
First Draft
Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet
Hand Picked Films Inc.
Screenwriter: Richard Bell
The Diary of Laura’s Twin
pUNK Films Inc.
Screenwriter: Laura Phillips
Don’t Talk To Irene
Alyson Richards Productions Inc.
Screenwriter: Pat Mills
King Leary
Verite Films Inc.
Screenwriter: Paul Quarrington
The Lizard Cage
Sienna Films Inc.
Screenwriter: David Vainola
Queen Kristina
Triptych Media Inc.
Screenwriter: Michel Marc Bouchard
Second Draft
Dot’s Will
Playmaker Films Inc.
Screenwriter: Scott Simpson
The Flying Troutmans
Four Seasons Productions Inc.
Screenwriter: Semi Chellas and Miriam Toews
Harmony
Bad Astronaut Inc.
Screenwriter: Andrea Dorfman and Jennifer Deyell
Honey, Baby, Sweetheart
Nine Mile Productions
Screenwriter: Katie Ford
Kush Kush in the Bush: Bollywood Comes to the Trailer Park
Buffalo Gal Pictures Development Inc., Femmina Films Inc. and Diamonds to Bullets Enterprises Inc.
Screenwriter: Rebecca Sernasie
Rhéal and Rhéaume
Sarrazin Productions Inc.
Screenwriter: Suzette Couture
Sam I Am
Ichi Ni San Films Inc.
Screenwriter: Chris Smets
Spree
Productions Caramel Film Inc.
Screenwriter: Domenic Salvaggio
Final Draft
Blackbird
Emotion Pictures Inc. and Opolo Pictures Inc.
Screenwriter: Jason Buxton
Dead Tired
Productions The Gates Inc.
Screenwriter: Geoffrey Uloth and Jean-Francois Da Sylva-La Rue
The Great Seduction
Max Films
Screenwriter: Michael Dowse
NuShu – The Secret Sisterhood
Filmarto Inc.
Screenwriter: Allen Hatcher
Propaganda
Javelin Pictures Inc.
Screenwriter: Karl Richter
Roadside
Mad Samurai Productions Inc.
Screenwriter: John L'Ecuyer
Polish & Packaging
Kosher Sexy
julijette inc. and Jonas Chernick
Screenwriter: Jonas Chernick
Oma
January Films Ltd.
Screenwriters: Andrea Blundell and Claudia Casagrande
Take This Waltz
Joe's Daughter Inc.
Screenwriter: Sarah Polley
Equity Invesment Program
Hockey The Musical
Mulmur Feed Company
Screenwriter/Director: Michael McGowan
The Equity Investment Program, funded by Astral Media’s Viewers Choice, was established in 1992 to invest in the production of quality Canadian dramatic movies made for theatrical release and/or pay television. 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 Media’s The Movie Network.
The script development applications are reviewed each quarter by the English-Language Committee of Astral Media The Harold Greenberg Fund, which includes Suzette Couture, Damon D'Oliveira, Melanie Friesen, John Galway, shane Kinnear, Bryn Matthews and Kevin Wright.
Astral Media The Harold Greenberg Fund/Le Fonds Harold Greenberg is a national funding organization established to contribute to the development and production of high-calibre film and television productions. Supported by Astral Media, The Fund/Le Fonds has invested over $70 million in the Canadian film and television industry since its inception in 1986 and is proud to support the vision and works of Canadian storytellers.