Canadian Film Centre Announces First Two Recipients of the TELUS Innovation Fund
TORONTO, January 15, 2007 – The Canadian Film Centre is pleased to announce the first two recipients of the newly formed TELUS Innovation Fund. Rocketfuel Productions [a joint venture between Hotrocket and Redengine], and Films Isle Turbulent Inc., will each receive funding of $100,000 to put towards completing their original and ground-breaking media-based projects.
Created and administered by the Canadian Film Centre, the TELUS Innovation Fund was established through the financial support of TELUS, to foster a culture of excellence and creativity in Canada’s film, TV and new media industries. Launched in January of 2006, the fund was designed to assist projects that explore new ways of approaching entertainment and storytelling; placing Canadian ideas, talent, and media at the forefront.
Selected from a formidable field of 65 initial applicants, thirteen companies were subsequently asked to present full applications. The wide variety of medium-based projects were adjudicated by a cross-Canada jury including: Charles Bishop - President/Executive Producer for Halifax Films (Halifax), Steve Billinger - Executive Director, Digital Programming & Business Development, CBC (Toronto), and Carol Parnell - co-founder of Ecotype.ca and National Director of Education for the Wired Woman organization (Vancouver).The proposals submitted by Rocketfuel Productions, and Films Isle Turbulent Inc., were chosen for their exceptional projects; each of which promise to pioneer original Canadian Content that will reach a general public audience.
The TELUS Innovation Fund will support up to three projects a year to a maximum of $100,000 per project. The 2007 application deadline has been extended to Monday, February 19th. For further information on the TELUS Innovation Fund guidelines or to complete the preliminary application form, please visit www.cfccreates.com.
ABOUT TELUS:
TELUS (TSX: T, T.NV; NYSE: TU) is the largest telecommunications company in Western Canada and the second largest in the country, with $8.0 billion of annual revenue, 4.7 million network access lines and 4.3 million wireless customers. The company provides customers with a full range of telecommunications products and services including data, voice and wireless services across Canada, utilizing next generation Internet-based technologies. For more information about TELUS, please visit www.telus.com
ABOUT THE CFC
The CFC is Canada’s largest institution for advanced training in film, television and new media. A leader in the rapidly changing entertainment landscape, the CFC is committed to promoting and investing in Canada’s diverse talent; providing exhibition, financial, and distribution opportunities for top creative content leaders from coast to coast. The CFC makes a significant cultural and economic contribution to Canada by launching the country’s most creative ideas and voices in film, television and new media to the world. For more information please visit: www.cfccreates.com .