25-02-2025
Telefilm Cancels Canada House Presence at SXSW Amid Political Tensions
Telefilm Canada, the Canadian federal government's film financer, has cancelled its Canada House event at the 2025 South by Southwest Conference and Festival amid cross-border political tensions.
Canada House at the Austin, Texas media festival has long been a meeting hub for Canadian content producers, musicians, film distributors and other industry players looking to network, forge international sales and secure funding from foreign partners.
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But SXSW this year coincides with a threat of a 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican exports to the U.S. from the Trump administration.
'Through the Canada House, Telefilm relies on partnerships to ensure financial viability. Unfortunately, due to the withdrawal of key financial partners, we have had to make the difficult decision to pause the Canada House, as we could not sustain the same level of investments,' Telefilm Canada said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
The Canadian film financier had no comment on the reasons for the withdrawal of support by traditional Canada House partners. Telefilm Canada hosts similar Canadian industry pavilions to showcase homegrown content and talent at the European Film Market in Berlin, the Cannes Film Festival, MIPTV and MIPCOM and the Toronto Film Festival, among other events.
Among the backers to pull support for Canada House at SXSW this year — generally by taking space in the pavilion — is the Canadian Independent Music Association, a professional organization for the Canadian independent music industry.
At the same time, Telefilm Canada will continue to help fund the Canadian Innovation Lounge at the 2025 SXSW festival.
'Telefilm remains committed to championing Canadian talent and celebrating their achievements at SXSW. We will continue to be present, supporting Canadian teams whose films/projects are selected, and engaging with the industry at the Canadian Innovation Lounge,' the federal government agency said in its statement.
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