Latest news with #CanadianFilms
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
WIFF to screen films in Detroit in new partnership
The Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) is heading to downtown Detroit. What's being billed as a crossborder cultural collaboration will see Campus Martius Park serve as a satellite viewing venue during the first two days of WIFF this October. This will mark the first time a WIFF venue and film screenings will take place in the U.S. WIFF has partnered with the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) on the initiative. WIFF and DDP are also teaming to show two Canadian films at Campus Martius Park on July 17. Speaking on AM800's The Dan MacDonald Show, Vincent Georgie, executive director & chief programmer at WIFF, said Windsor and Detroit are siblings. 'So to be able to bring WIFF into Detroit, and specifically programming Canadian films, both this summer, on July 17, with a special night Campus Martius, and then also to actually include Campus Martius and Detroit in the main festival, and what that means is, when we're bringing in Canadian filmmakers to WIFF in the fall, some of them, we're going to program in both countries, and that's an extraordinary opportunity for our Canadian filmmakers, and we're doubling down on Canada,' Georgie said. Eric B. Larson, CEO of the DDP, said borders may define geography, but they are a shared humanity. 'We are trying to foster better understanding, especially in this time, but always, we're trying to make sure that we're breaking down sort of those stereotypes and building better and longer lasting relationships,' Larson said. 'The relationship that we've had, not only with Windsor-Essex, but Canada as a country, are critical to Detroit's and of the U.S. success.' Larson said he's looking forward to the conversations that these events with WIFF will lead to. 'There is tremendous opportunity that's been untapped, and I think whenever there is a bit of a challenge, or in this case a bit of a crisis, some of us will retreat, others of us will charge forward, and this is a group that has charged forward to not only strengthen the relationship, but find unique ways to demonstrate the relationship,' he said. The free double-feature on July 17 at Campus Martius will present the following films: Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story - A Peabody Award Winner and WIFF Prize in Canadian Film nominee, this stirring documentary is a tribute to the life and legacy of trailblazing soul singer Jackie Shane, whose story of identity and resilience continues to inspire. Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person - A WIFF Prize in Canadian Film winner, this genre-defying, darkly comedic French-language film (with English subtitles) explores unlikely connection through a surreal, emotionally rich lens. Films begin at 7 p.m., and guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy this cinematic evening under the stars right in the heart of Detroit. - Written by Dustin Coffman/AM800 News.
CBC
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
CRTC hears debate on considering 'cultural element' when defining Canadian content
The federal broadcast regulator is considering whether it should include a "cultural element" in its new definition of Canadian content. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is holding a public hearing from May 14-27 in Gatineau, Que., that in part is looking at defining Canadian content. The CRTC has said that while it's leaning away from including a cultural element in its content test, it's open to hearing other viewpoints during the two-week hearing. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre said on Tuesday that the CRTC should stick to its current approach, which looks at whether Canadians are employed in key creative positions. The consumers' group pointed to the United Kingdom, noting it has a special institute to review and assess whether proposed cultural references in a production qualify as "sufficiently British." "We view a potential Canadian application of this approach, or any other cultural elements test, where a small group of people would be attempting to objectively define what and who is culturally Canadian, as being highly problematic," the advocacy centre said in a written copy of its opening statement at the hearing. WATCH | Acclaimed Canadian movies struggle at box office: Canadian films win awards but struggle at the box office 12 months ago Duration 2:03 It also warned that production companies could exploit Canadian stereotypes to get around any "cultural element" test. "An American portrayal of how a Canadian character would speak or behave, for example, cannot be considered Canadian content," it said. "It is merely a representation of the American cultural view of Canada." The broadcast regulator has heard from others during the hearing who are in favour of including culture in the modernized definition of CanCon. The National Film Board, which appeared Friday, has argued that now is the time to include cultural elements in the definition of Canadian content. It said in its prior written submission that not having a cultural element in the definition could result in harmful long-term consequences and risks erasing "what makes us who we are." The film board pointed to cultural tests used in countries such as Australia, France, Italy and Britain. "These countries employ cultural elements alongside other criteria, such as nationality of key creative roles and ownership," the NFB said. It said those cultural elements include social or political relevance, how the way of life is depicted and recognizable locations or figures, among others. "Our national screen culture has long operated on a definition of 'CanCon' that has excluded cultural elements. This approach has contributed to Canadians' inability to recognize when a story is of us," the NFB submission said.
