CFC announces the Canada - UK Script Incubation Program
TORONTO, Sept. 6 /CNW/ - CFC (Canadian Film Centre) announced today with the BBC, BBC Worldwide and Canwest Broadcasting, the creation of its first international co-production training program: The Canada - UK Script Incubation Program. This is the first of its kind in Canada and will foster a new level of collaboration between Canadian and UK television writers. With the participation of Canwest, the BBC and BBC Worldwide, the program aspires to be an exciting model for the successful co-production of television properties. Ultimately, the program will build a skill-set for successfully developing projects designed for Canadian and UK co-production.
The Canada - UK Script Incubation Program will provide six television drama writers, three from Canada and three from the UK, the unparalleled opportunity to be mentored by some of the leading Canadian and UK story consultants/writers working in television today. The program is based on an exchange model and will begin in 2009. Participants will take part in workshops, case studies, story and script meetings. The program will further develop their concepts, significantly enhance their knowledge of the co-production development processes, increase their ability to manage international co-production and strengthen their ability to effectively conceive, write and deliver projects for co-production. The goal is that the projects developed through this program would receive a television license or development deal.
"For 20 years we have established shared learning and creative partnerships for talent. Today with the launch of our first co-production program we now bring Canadian storytellers to the world," said Slawko Klymkiw, Executive Director, CFC. "With the support and commitment of Canwest Broadcasting, the BBC and BBC Worldwide to this incubation program, we are taking the best practices from both countries to benefit and strengthen international content development in the television industry."
"Canada is home to some of the best creative writing talent in the world," said Christine Shipton, SVP Drama and Factual Content, Canwest. "This program allows Canadian writers to share their stories, explore creative partnerships and really spread their wings. Canwest is proud to play any part in the development of these wonderful dramas that will be watched, and embraced, by audiences around the world."
"BBC Drama is committed to training and investing in writing talent and CFC's innovative programme is a fantastic opportunity for us all to discover new talent and work with our Canadian partners," said Julie Gardner, Head of Drama, BBC Wales. "We look forward to welcoming our Canadian guests next Spring."
"The key to great television is a great script. This initiative underlines BBC Worldwide's commitment to supporting a new generation of writing talent, while our distribution network offers them an international stage on which to showcase their work," said Wayne Garvie, Director of Content and Production, BBC Worldwide.
About Canwest Broadcasting
Canwest Broadcasting operates two conventional television networks, Global Television and E!, and twenty of the country's most popular specialty channels, including HGTV, Mystery TV, National Geographic Channel, Showcase, Slice(TM) and TVtropolis. Canwest Broadcasting is a division of Canwest Media Inc.
About Canwest Media Inc.
Canwest Media Inc is a subsidiary of Canwest Global Communications Corp. (www.canwest.com; TSX: CGS and CGS.A). An international media company, Canwest is Canada's largest publisher of paid English language daily newspapers and owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests in conventional television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels, web sites and radio stations in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, Indonesia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.
About BBC Drama
BBC Drama is a world leader in producing much-loved and critically-acclaimed dramas including Cranford starring Dame Judi Dench, Doctor Who starring David Tennant and EastEnders. BBC Drama is committed to supporting writing talent and the BBC Writers' Academy offers writers the chance to hone their skills alongside the very best in British industry talent. The BBC is the only UK broadcaster to train writers to write television drama, and the writing course is the only one in the world that guarantees the opportunity to work on prime time television.
About BBC Worldwide
BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the licence payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has seven core businesses: BBC Worldwide Channels, BBC Worldwide Content & Production, BBC Worldwide Digital Media, BBC Worldwide Global Brands, BBC Worldwide Sales & Distribution, BBC Magazines and BBC Home Entertainment. In 2007/08, BBC Worldwide generated profits of (pnds stlg)117.7 million on sales of (pnds stlg)916.3 million.
About the CFC
CFC celebrates 20 years of launching Canada's most creative ideas and voices in film, television and new media to the world. As Canada's largest institution for advanced training in film, television and new media, CFC proudly has more than 1000 alumni working in Canada and abroad. A leader in the rapidly changing entertainment landscape, CFC is committed to promoting and investing in Canada's diverse talent and during this anniversary year will launch new programs that will continue to bring inspiring storytellers to the world. For more information please visit: www.cfccreates.com
For further information: For media inquiries, please contact: Tamara MacKeigan, Communications, CFC, (001) (416) 445-1446 x304, tmackeigan@cfccreates.com; Barry Patterson, Director, Communications, CFC (001) (416) 445-1446 x314, bpatterson@cfccreates.com
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