CMPA's $10,000 Feature Film Prize - shortlist of 5 producers

Award-winning Canadian producer Denise Robert today announced the shortlist for the 6th Annual Canadian Media Production Association’s (CMPA) Feature Film Producer's Award.  Robert is Chair of the national jury, and last year’s recipient. The winner receives a cash prize of $10,000 at a special reception to mark the opening of the 36th Toronto International Film Festival® on September 8th.

The award was founded in partnership with the Festival in 2006.  It recognizes the vision and entrepreneurship of an outstanding Canadian producer whose body of work demonstrates commitment and passion for the profession.

"All of these producers have dedicated their careers to the creation of feature films,” says Denise Robert. “It requires tenacity and courage to complete these kinds of projects and bring them to the big screen. It was a very difficult decision because every applicant was worthy of a nomination.”

“I also congratulate the five nominees for the CMPA’s Feature Film Producer’s Award,” says Norm Bolen, President and CEO, CMPA. “We are very proud to present this award at TIFF.  This international festival offers a perfect opportunity to showcase great Canadian stories to the world.”

More than 28 eligible Canadian films are being screened at the festival this year. The jury was asked to narrow the field to five nominees. Joining jury Chair Denise Robert (Cinémaginaire) were Neil Campbell (Landmark Cinemas of Canada), Mark Musselman (Serendipity Point Films), Paul Pope (Pope Productions) and award-winning editor Susan Shipton.

The Nominees for the 2011 CMPA Feature Film Producer's Award are:

Allison Black, Edwin Boyd
Production Company: euclid 431 pictures
Filmography:  The Lion’s Share (Pre-production 2012), The Devil is Black (in development), Celia (in development), Walking Gun (in development).

Susan Cavan, Take This Waltz
Production Company: Joe's Daughter Inc. and Accent Entertainment Corporation
Select Filmography: Kids In The Hall: Death Comes To Town, Joe's So Mean to Josephine, Superstar, Twitch City, Comeback Season, Citizen Duane, Dog Park, Mesmer.

Sandra Cunningham, Billy Bishop Goes to War and The Moth Diaries
Production Company: Strada Films
Select Filmography: Fugitive Pieces, Where the Truth Lies, Being Julia, The Statement, Ararat, Possible Worlds, Saint Jude.

Jennifer Jonas, I’m Yours
Production Company: New Real Films
Select Filmography: Trigger, Leslie, My Name is Evil, Otto; or, Up With Dead People, Toronto Stories, All Hat, Monkey Warfare, Childstar, Sugar, The Perfect Son.

André Rouleau, Starbuck, Goon and Breakaway
Production Company: Caramel Films
Select Filmography: The Suicide Shop (in production), Funkytown, Die, Polytechnique, Mesrine: L’instinct de mort (Mesrine: Death Instinct), Battle in Seattle, an American Haunting, Head in the Clouds.

http://www.cftpa.ca/