The Toronto-based "Canadian Film Centre" celebrated their 25th anniversary September 8, 2013, with the CFC annual BBQ, as former students, faculty and invited guests toasted this year's TIFF/ CFC films, including work from over 50 alumni.
What started as a film training centre, spear-headed by CFC founder, Chair Emeritus, director Norman Jewison ("Rollerball"), has grown into an enterprise of 14 training and mentoring programs.
These include an actors' conservatory, plus programs for up and coming comedians, television actors, writers, musicians and new media entrepreneurs.
The $6 million organization in 2005, now costs more than $14 million to run today, with more than half of that money donated by the private sector.
Over 25 years, CFC programs have assisted in the production and distribution of 21 feature films, 158 short films, four television/web based pilots and 120 "interactive digital media prototypes.
The Ontario Liberal government earmarked $9 million of new spending on the Canadian Film Centre in the provincial budget rolled out May 2013. According to the full budget, "the government will provide funding of $9 million over three years, starting in 2013–14, to support the Centre’s educational programs for advanced film, television and new media. This will also develop new market opportunities for its students and their projects..."
"This is a tremendous boost to digital media jobs and growth in Ontario," said CFC’s Chief Executive Officer Slawko Klymkiw, stressing the ultimate goal is to get talented people working in their chosen industry while contributing to the economy.
Under beautiful sunny skies @ The Centre's rolling Windfields Estate, it was a pleasure to see ACTRA President Ferne Downey, producer Elvira Lount and a whole lot more, with special thanks to Mill Street Brewery and Crystal Head Vodka.
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