Call for submissions: China Canada Gateway for Film Script Competition

The Whistler Film Festival and Telefilm Canada have announced the inaugural China Canada Gateway for Film Script Competition. This contest will allow for Canadian filmmaking teams to finance and co-produce a feature film in partnership with Chinese production companies. Up to $15 million in production financing is on the table.

Writer and producer teams (at least one of whom must be a Canadian citizen or resident) are asked to submit their info and story synopsis to the Whistler Film Festival by August 17. They are seeking potential films suitable for both the Chinese domestic and international markets.

Regional pitch sessions will then take place in the early fall. Up to 12 finalists will be selected from the regional pitch sessions by October 31 to come to the Whistler Film Festival and publicly present their story idea to the 3 Chinese production companies plus 2 to 5 international judges.

2012 Leo Awards for B.C. film/TV – winners (part 2)

After Friday night's presentation of the Celebration Awards, the 14th annual Leo Awards for British Columbia's film and television industry presented the remaining trophies last night. The Gala Awards presentation was hosted by Sanctuary stars Amanda Tapping and Robin Dunne.

Carl Bessai's Sisters&Brothers the Feature Length Drama categories with a total of six awards. In addition to the Editing award from Friday, it picked up Best Feature Length Drama, Best Direction, Musical Score, Supporting Actor (Tom Scholte) and Lead Actress (Amanda Crew). It had led with twelve nominations. Sisters&Brothers is an ensemble film that explores a number of sibling relationships and has a light touch that is atypical of Bessai's often weighty work.

The only other multiple prize-winner in the feature section was Sunflower Hour, picking up Best Supporting Actress (Johannah Newmarch) to go with its Casting prize from Friday. Donovan's Echo did not manage to add to its two awards from earlier.

2012 Leo Awards for B.C. film/TV – winners (part 1)

The first group of winners for the 2012 Leo Awards were presented last night at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The evening was hosted by Gary Jones.

So far, Donovan's Echo leads the Feature Length Drama section with two awards, for Best Overall Sound and Sound Editing. Other winners for feature films are Doppleganger Paul (Screenwriting), Sisters&Brothers (Picture Editing), Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story (Production Design), Hamlet (Costume Design), and Sunflower Hour (Casting).

The remainder of the awards will be presented tonight, also at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The Gala Awards Ceremony will be hosted by Amanda Tapping and Robin Dunne.

2012 Leo Awards for B.C. film/TV – nominations

The nominations for the 2012 Leo Awards for British Columbian film and television have been announced by the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Foundation of British Columbia.

Carl Bessai's Sisters&Brothers led the field with twelve nominations. Its nods included Best Feature Length Drama, Direction, Best Actor (Ben Ratner), and multiple mentions for Best Actress (Amanda Crew, Gabrielle Miller, Kacey Rohl) and Supporting Actress (Camille Sullivan, Leena Manro, Gabrielle Rose).

Christopher Petry's Marilyn was next with eight nominations. It too was acknowledged for Feature Length Drama, Director and Actor (Ryan Robbins), as well as Screenwriter.

Rounding out the field for Feature Length Drama were Michael Goldbach's Daydream Nation, Doppleganger Paul by Dylan Akio Smith and Kris Elgstrand, and The Odds by Simon Davidson.

2011 Leo Awards, part two - complete winners

After presenting their first group awards earlier this week, the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Foundation of British Columbia held their gala ceremony at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for the remaining winners for the 13th annual Leo Awards yesterday. The Leo Awards are an annual celebration of excellence and achievement for the the British Columbia film and television industry.

The film Gunless starring Paul Gross came out on top with four awards including Best Feature Length Drama, Best Cinematography (Greg Middleton) and Best Production Design (Matthew Budgeon). Transparency claimed Best Direction (Raul Inglis) and Best Editing (Richard Martin). Fathers&Sons was also a multiple winner for Musical Score (Schaun Tozer) and Supporting Actor (Jay Brazeau). Altitude had previously been announced as winner in two sound categories.

Charles Officer's Mighty Jerome completed its sweep of the feature documentary section by winning  Best Feature Length Documentary Program. This goes with its three previously announced awards.

The television side was led by the comedy Hiccups, which won five awards including Best Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series. It also won for Direction (James Dunnison), Screenwriting (David Moses), Editing (Lisa Binkley) and Performance in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series (Nancy Robertson).

2011 Leo Awards, part one - winners

The Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Foundation of British Columbia announced part one of the winners for the 2011 Leo Awards yesterday. The Leo Awards are an annual celebration of excellence and achievement for the the British Columbia film and television industry.

Most of the awards given were for technical categories or smaller projects. In feature film, Altitude
received awards in Overall Sound and Sound Editing.

The excellent documentary Mighty Jerome by Charles Officer received three awards in the categories of Picture Editing, Overall Sound and Musical Score.

The remaining awards will be given out at a gala ceremony on Saturday, June 11 in Vancouver.