Corus Entertainment and Telefilm Canada announced today that principal photography has wrapped on the first theatrical production selected from the Family Feature Production Fund. The Family Feature Fund was launched with the goal to increase production of Canadian-English language live-action family movies. Slated for release in 2024, Operation Insanity (working title) is a comedy feature produced by CCI Entertainment Ltd. and stars Academy Award Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nominee, James Caan (The Godfather, Misery, Las Vegas, Dogville) and newcomer Dylan Everett (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Wingin' It, The Unauthorized Saved By The Bell Story).
Directed by Erik Canuel (Bon Cop, Bad Cop, 19-2, Flashpoint), Operation Insanity is about a shy, 17-year-old boy (Dylan Everett) who teams up with his "senile" grandpa, played by James Caan, and his war veteran crew to save the girl of his dreams.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Telefilm on the first project from our Family Feature Production Fund slate of movies," said Colin Bohm, Executive Vice President, Head of Corus Kids. "CCI has done a terrific job of delivering a compelling script and a stellar cast. This first film is a great start to broadening our content ownership."
Michel Pradier, Telefilm's Director of Project Financing, added: "Considering that younger Canadians are the heaviest consumers of films in the country, this public-private partnership with Corus Entertainment is an exciting collaboration that brings together resources in order to better achieve theatrical success of family films."
Operation Insanity also features a stellar supporting ensemble cast which includes Academy Award, Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy winner Lou Gossett Jr., Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy and SAG nominee Jessica Walter, SAG nominee Paul Sorvino , Lawrence Dane and Greta Oneiogo.
"Operation Insanity may well be the biggest family feature to come out of Canada have an outstanding international cast who will bring their vitality and talent to this timeless story of generational bonding brought to life in an inventive, adventurous and hilarious new way," said Producer Arnie Zipursky. "We are elated to be the first feature selected as part of the Corus/Telefilm Fund. CCI has appreciated the creative collaboration with Corus over these many years."
Based on a screenplay written by Jeffrey Alan Schechter (Overruled!, Strangays at Blake Holsey High), Operation Insanity is produced by Arnie Zipursky (Iron Road, Anything But Christmas, The Ride), and Ronald J. Gilbert (The Moth Diaries, Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story, the Long Hot Summer). Zipursky will also serve as Executive Producer with CCI's Charles Falzon, along with Jeff Sackman (Forsaken, Backcountry, The Art of the Steal) of TAJJ Media and Noah Segal (Dr. Cabbie, Our Man in Tehran, The Art of the Steal) of Elevation Pictures. Principal photography runs from September 24 through November 2 in the Toronto area.
Operation Insanity will be distributed theatrically in Canada by Elevation Pictures. "We are excited to work with Corus Entertainment and CCI Entertainment on this project," said Noah Segal, Co-President of Elevation Pictures "Hot off the heels of our success with Shaun the Sheep: The Movie, we look forward to adding this fantastic family film to our diverse release slate."
The Family Feature Production Fund contributes financing for up to two English-language theatrical family feature films each year, including international treaty co-productions. The initiative is open to Canadian feature film producers from across the country with a fully developed film script and a comprehensive plan for market viability. Corus and Telefilm jointly evaluate eligible applications, and once selections have been made a portion of the film's budget will be supported by the two organizations. Selected projects will receive financial investment from Corus Entertainment as well as broadcast commitment and marketing support from its portfolio of family and film networks including Movie Central, W Movies, YTV, TELETOON, Disney Channel, ABC Spark and CMT.