CFC and Just for Laughs announce the Telefilm Canada Comedy Exchange

ANNOUNCING THE TELEFILM CANADA FEATURE COMEDY EXCHANGE
A CFC North South Marketplace Initiative in collaboration with Just For Laughs

Montreal, July 26, 2012 – The CFC (Canadian Film Centre) today announced the launch of the Comedy Exchange, which replaces the acclaimed 3-year-old Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab. This new initiative will raise the profile of Canadian filmmakers and their film projects internationally while continuing to build interest and business relationships within the Hollywood and North American independent film and comedy communities.

“The Comedy Exchange builds upon the strengths and traction of the previous program, while even more closely aligning itself with Telefilm's mandate to increase the packaging and promotion of exciting Canadian talent and features to the international marketplace,” says Sheila De La Varende, Director Industry Promotion, Telefilm Canada.

Three producers and their writers will have access to dynamic creative and business intelligence through high level script feedback and marketplace expertise from key comedy and business decision makers. The Comedy Exchange works in tandem with Telefilm’s funding programs, increasing development and packaging resources for producers whose comedy projects are receiving financial support from Telefilm’s Development Fund.

“We want to deepen the relationships and continue to leverage the interest in our talent and projects that have been developed south of the border by creating even closer ties between industry professionals in Canada and their counterparts in the US,” says Slawko Klymkiw, Chief Executive Officer, CFC.

This exciting marketplace initiative will also continue to work with the 15 projects from the previous Comedy Lab in strengthening their potential for production financing and international marketplace interest.


About CFC
CFC accelerates the careers of the brightest talent in film, television, screen acting, music and digital media. A charitable organization, CFC is committed to promoting and investing in Canada's diverse talent; providing exhibition, financial, and distribution opportunities, industry collaborations and creative partnerships for top creative content leaders. CFC makes a significant cultural and economic contribution to Canada by launching the country's most creative ideas and voices to the world. For more details, visit cfccreates.com

About Telefilm Canada
Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry. Through its various funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm also administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit our website at telefilm.ca, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/Telefilm_Canada and now find us on Facebook at facebook.com/TelefilmCanada.

About the Just For Laughs Group
Founded in 1983, the Just For Laughs Group’s growth is concentrated on four major focal points: Festivals (in Montreal, Toronto and Chicago); television production (most notably Gags seen in 135 countries and on 95 airlines); live shows (Canadian tour dates for Jerry Seinfeld, Jeremy Hotz, John Pinette, Louis C.K., the Capital One Just For Laughs Comedy Tour, North American dates for Family Guy Live!); and talent management. Its inaugural Montreal Festival 30 years ago is now the world’s largest and most prestigious comedy event welcoming 2 million people each summer. The Group has offices in Montreal, Paris, Los Angeles, Toronto, London and a small apartment on the Internet.