Call for submissions: Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab

The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) has put out a call for their Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab which they run in collaboration with the Juste pour rire (Just for Laughs) Comedy Festival.

The program will select up to 5 producers or filmmaking teams to participate in the program to develop a comedy feature film. Writers and directors cannot apply directly, but participate in the training. Producers may apply with up to two projects.

The training is divided into two modules. The first takes place in Toronto from November 14-18. The second module takes place in Los Angeles in March. Last year's Los Angeles mentors included filmmakers from comedies such as The Hangover, Little Miss Sunshine, Zoolander, Elf, Legally Blonde, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and There's Something About Mary.

Participants also become eligible for up to $75,000 financing through Telefilm. Selected filmmakers pay no fee to participate in the program.

The deadline for applications is August 15, 2011.

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Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab

DEADLINE | AUGUST 15, 2011

Application for the Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab is available NOW!

Are you a filmmaker with a passion for comedy?  Want to work with the best comedic talent in the business to make your comedy feature a reality? 

The Features Comedy Lab will accept a maximum of 5 projects/teams.

The program is divided into two intensive 5-day modules so it’s accessible and manageable to working professionals. Module one will take place November 14th-18th, 2011 in Toronto and Module two will take place March 2012 in Los Angeles. Full-time participation will be required in the two week-long modules.

Projects/teams accepted into the program will also be eligible for a Development financing component of up to $75,000 through Telefilm’s Canada Feature Film Fund program.

There is no fee to participate in the program.

Eligible Producers must:

• Have produced at least one feature length fiction film within the past seven years that was commercially exploited in theatres, on DVD and/or broadcast on television.
• Own the rights to an English-language comedy script in development intended for theatrical release;
• Have the experience necessary to successfully deliver and fully exploit the project (i.e. creative, financial & distribution experience/track record)
• The producer’s company must be a Canadian-owned and controlled company, as determined under Sections 26 to 28 of the Investment Canada Act, with its head office and main activities based in Canada.

Only eligible producers can apply and we require the following minimum eligibility for their Writers and/or Directors:

• Writers must have demonstrated experience working as a professional writer (i.e. produced screenplays or plays, published novel, have secured development funding for prior film/tv projects, etc.)
• Directors must have directed a minimum of 90 minutes of produced work that has either been theatrically distributed or broadcast and must have the experience necessary to successfully deliver and fully exploit the project.

**Please note writers and/or directors cannot apply directly**

All Participants must be:

• Canadian citizens, within the definition of the Citizenship Act, or permanent residents within the definition of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;

• Available full time for each of the 2 modules and part time over the 2 ½ month virtual mentorship period.

Project Eligibility: 

• Producers may submit up to a maximum of 2 projects.
• Projects must be at a first draft script stage at minimum
• Projects must be eligible for CANADA FEATURE FILM FUND (CFFF) funding as outlined in the CFFF Guidelines. Please visit http://www.telefilm.gc.ca/03/311.asp?fond_id=1 for more information.
• Projects which have already received maximum Development Funding from Telefilm Canada ($75,000) are NOT eligible.

** Please note that projects should not contain any element of serious and gratuitous or explicit and excessive violence, any element which is predominantly characterized by the undue exploitation of matters of a sexual nature, or matters of a sexual nature and one or more of the following subjects: crime, horror, cruelty and violence, or any other sexual offence under the Criminal Code of Canada or any matter which is libelous, obscene or in any other way unlawful. **

Apply:
CLICK HERE to download PDF

http://www.cfccreates.com/what_we_do/cfc_film/telefilm_canada_features_comedy_lab/index.php