18th annual Canadian Radio Music Awards – nominees announced

Canadian Music Week is pleased to announce nominations for the 18th annual Canadian Radio Music Awards! Kiesza, MAGIC! and Hedley, are among those honoured. This year’s award show will take place on Friday, May 8th at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. Sponsored by Bell Media, the Canadian Radio Music Awards celebrate first-time charted artists and honour individuals or groups with some of the most played songs on Canadian radio.

This year’s show will feature performances by MAGIC!, Kiesza, Dear Rouge, Andee, Virginia to Vegas and Jess Moskaluke. Full list of nominees below.

The Canadian Radio Music Awards offer an opportunity to honour national and international artists who have gained significant traction on the radio over the past year. Radio has long served as a significant platform for artists to break through and gain mass appeal. This year’s nominees fittingly reflect the power of a songs ability to connect with the public and push artists to the next level.

2015 Prism Prize goes to director Chad VanGaalen

On Sunday, March 29, director Chad VanGaalen was announced as the winner of the 2015 Prism Prize for Timber Timbre's Beat The Drum Slowly music video at the Prism Prize Top Ten Screening and Awards Presentation at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto, Ontario. Chad VanGaalen, who was also nominated for his own song Monster, was on hand to accept the Prism Prize trophy and $5,000 award.

The Prism Prize Audience Award was presented to director Natalie Rae Robison for Kandle's Not Up To Me, based on thousands of online votes collected in collaboration with Noisey Canada.

Also honoured during the event was director Jared Raab, who was in attendance to accept the Arthur Lipsett Award, established to recognize an innovative and unique approach to music video art. The Prism Prize Special Achievement Award, honouring a Canadian music video artist for their artistic achievements and exceptional contribution to music video art on a world stage, was presented to animator and cinematographer Christopher Mills.

Full lineup announced for 2015 Osheaga Music and Arts Festival

This year, the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary at Parc Jean-Drapeau. This morning, they announced their full lineup for this year's festival which will be taking place on the weekend of July 31, August 1 and August 2.

Previously, they had announced headliners including Florence + The Machine, Kendrick Lamar, The Black Keys, The Avett Brothers, St. Vincent, Alt-J, The Decemberists, Hot Chip, Weezer and Nas. Today, they completed their announcement of over 100 bands that will play on six stages during the three-day festival.

18th Cinéfranco 2015, April 10–19

Featuring films from directors such as Micheline Lanctôt, Kaouther Ben Hania, Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar
Starring Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Carré, Agnès Jaoui, Brigitte Pogonat, among many others

Cinéfranco 2015, English Canada’s largest celebration of international Francophone cinema finds a new home at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto from Friday, April 10, 2015 to Sunday, April 19, 2015.

In its 18th year, Cinéfranco once again explores the diverse cinemas of the Francophone diaspora, the riches of Francophone cultures and showcases the talents of established as well as rising Francophone filmmakers and artists. With 22 feature films and 7 shorts, including many award-winning and highly acclaimed films from festivals around the world, there is something for all lovers of cinema, from comedy fans to thriller aficionados. Films from Belgium, Canada, France, Tunisia, The United Arab Emirates and Morocco will grace the big screen, including 7 North American Premieres, 9 English Canadian Premieres, 1 Canadian Premiere and 1 Ontario Premiere.

Hot Docs announces 2015 lineup – 210 documentaries from 45 countries

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival announced its full film line-up for the upcoming 22nd edition, April 23–May 3, at a press conference this morning at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto. From 2,724 film submissions, this year’s slate will present 210 titles from 45 countries in 12 screening programs.

"This year’s Festival takes us around the world, showcasing stories from 45 different countries and the best in Canadian filmmaking,” says Hot Docs director of programming Charlotte Cook. “Through even more live and interactive experiences we have more ways than ever for the audience to be a part of the Festival. Bringing this exceptional work to Toronto is a huge honour and we can’t wait to join the filmmakers in sharing their work with our incredible audience.”

This year’s Scotiabank Big Ideas Series will welcome such notable subjects as: Grammy-nominated comedian Tig Notaro (TIG); charismatic former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Danny Williams, subject of (DANNY); director Alex Winter, WIRED senior writer Andy Greenberg and the parents of subject Ross Ulbricht (DEEP WEB); Ex-Fugee Pras Michel (SWEET MICKY FOR PRESIDENT); and Olympic Gold Medal–winning hockey player Charline Labonté, former Major League Baseball player Billy Bean and American college football player Conner Mertens (OUT TO WIN).

Call for submissions: 44th Festival du nouveau cinéma

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 2015

Montreal's Festival du nouveau cinéma has announced a call for submissions for their 44th edition of the festival. They are looking for films, interactive works and performances for the next festival which will run from October 7 to 18, 2015 in Montreal.

The Festival du nouveau cinéma is committed to the exploration and development of new practices in cinema and new media. It is a premiere showcase for original and brand-new works, particularly in the fields of independent cinema and digital creation. The Festival du nouveau cinéma’s calling card is its rigorous and diverse programming, consistently presenting high-quality and often unseen works selected for their originality and innovation. The FNC has always developed in tandem with evolving practices and trends in cinema, and equipped with high-tech screening and presentation facilities, it has earned an international reputation as a leading-edge festival.

CFC Presents an Evening with Academy Award-Winning Writer/Director John Patrick Shanley

[UPDATE BELOW]

Writer/Director John Patrick Shanley on Adaptation and his Creative Process

On the heels of the world premiere announcement of A Woman is a Secret, the new play written by John Patrick Shanley, the Canadian Film Centre (CFC), is pleased to present An Evening with Academy Award-Winning Writer/Director John Patrick Shanley on Adaptation and his Creative Process.

Taking place on Monday, March 23, 2015 at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto, Shanley will take the stage to discuss writing for the screen versus writing for the stage, the challenges associated with adapting work for the screen as both a writer and a director, as well as his experience with casting, working with other directors and producers, and future adaptations of his plays.

Mediafilm’s 8th CinéBazar will be held on Saturday, March 28

For the past 7 years, Mediafilm’s CinéBazar was held in the dead of winter. For its 8th edition, the movie buffs’ fair moves up to late March, in order to welcome the sunshine and a long awaited spring. The CinéBazar will take place on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Centre du Plateau, located on the corner of East St-Joseph Blvd and Fullum St.

Something for everyone, for one day only
“This event, the only one of its kind in Montreal’s cultural landscape, caters to a very diversified clientele, ranging from regular movie lovers to the most seasoned aficionados and collectors”, explains Martin Bilodeau, chief editor of Mediafilm. With the participation of 60 exhibitors displaying over 100 tables, this 8th CinéBazar promises to present its 2000 expected visitors with an attractive array of films of all formats (Blu-ray, DVD, VHS, 8 & 16mm), vintage posters, books, magazines, movie stills, games, projectors, cameras and other memorabilia dedicated to the 7th Art and sold at friendly prices.

2015 JUNO Awards – winners

It was a star-studded night of musical celebrations as Canada's top talent took to the red carpet and stage for Canada's biggest night in music, The 2015 JUNO Awards, on Sunday, March 15. CTV's live broadcast from Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre dazzled viewers with an all-star lineup of performances, special tributes to Canadian music legends, and the presentation of JUNO Awards in six categories.

Performer Kiesza was the weekend's big winner, garnering a total of three JUNO Awards. Having already picked up two JUNO Awards at Saturday night's JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards for Dance Recording of the Year and Video of The Year (Sponsored by MuchFACT, exclusively funded by Bell Media) for her chart-topping hit "Hideaway", the electro-dance starlet added another statuette to her collection during the broadcast: the JUNO Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year (sponsored by FACTOR, the Government of Canada, Radio Starmaker Fund and Canada's Private Broadcasters). She also graced the stage for a dynamic mash-up performance of "Sound of A Woman" and "Hideaway."

Québec Cinéma's 17th Soirée des Jutra – winners

Québec Cinéma held the 17th Soirée des Jutra tonight at the Monument-National in Montreal. The gala event was hosted by Penelope McQuade and Stéphane Bellavance.

Xavier Dolan dominated the evening in collecting ten statuettes for Mommy. The film produced by Nancy Grant's Metafilms and Dolan's Sons of Manual picked up awards for Best Film, Best Director (Xavier Dolan), Best Screenplay (Xavier Dolan), Best Actress (Anne Dorval), Best Actor (Antoine Olivier Pilon), Best Supporting Actress (Suzanne Clément), Best Direction of Photography (André Turpin) and Best Editing (Xavier Dolan). It also won the Jutra for Film with Most Success Outside Québec, and the Jutra Billet d'or Cineplex given to the film with the greatest Box Office in 2014 in Quebec.

2015 JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards – winners

Canada's music elite gathered to toast 35 JUNO Award winners at the 2015 JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards presented by SiriusXM Canada last night in Hamilton. Hosted by Jessi Cruickshank at the Hamilton Convention Centre, the evening's festivities featured performances by a spectacular lineup of 2015 JUNO Award nominees and winners, as well as unforgettable tributes to some of the most influential names in Canadian music.

Multiple Award winners at the Gala included alternative singer-songwriter Bahamas, who won honours for both Songwriter of the Year and Adult Alternative Album of the Year; and electro-dance sensation Kiesza, who earned Dance Recording of the Year and Video of the Year. Kiesza will also be making her JUNO Award performance debut during the Sunday night Broadcast on CTV from Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre.

Call for submissions: 2015 Student Academy Awards

The Academy is now accepting entries for its 2015 Student Academy Awards competition. All Student Academy Award® winners become eligible for Oscars consideration. The 42nd Student Academy Awards presentation will be held on Friday, September 18, at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Beginning this year, students are able to submit their films online using FilmFreeway, a widely used festival and competition platform. Also new this year, the entry deadline has moved to June 1, and the awards ceremony date has been changed from June to September to better align the competition with the academic calendar.

2nd Annual Location Managers Guild of America (LMGA) Awards – winners

The Location Managers Guild of America (LMGA) announced the winners of its 2nd Annual Location Managers Guild of America Awards last night. The event honored the outstanding and creative contributions of Location Professionals in seven categories of film, television and commercials during the black-tie ceremony at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. The awards took place before an audience of 500, including LMGA members, industry executives and press. LMGA President Nancy Haecker presided over the ceremony with Location Manager David Doumeng serving as host and The Troubadour Theater Company performing.

Renowned actress Alfre Woodard (State of Affairs) presented the Humanitarian Award to FilmAid International Founder and Academy Award®-nominated film producer Caroline Baron. Motivated by the surge of refugees from Kosovo migrating to camps in Macedonia, Baron founded FilmAid in 1999 to provide human connection and hope, supplementing basic needs for food and shelter, all through the magic of cinema. FilmAid’s educational films promote awareness of social issues such as HIV/Aids, women’s rights, pediatric malnutrition, land mine awareness and conflict resolution. Baron’s long list of film credits include Capote, Monsoon Wedding, Being Flynn and The Wonder Years. There are similarities in the work she produces for Hollywood and her work with FilmAid, where the same skill sets apply – building a team, marshalling the necessary resources and working toward the common goal of affecting an audience.

Call for submissions: 2015 Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal (RIDM)

Film submissions are now open for RIDM's 2015 edition. You have until May 29 2015 to submit your film. The RIDM accepts short, medium-length and feature documentaries.

Quebec’s only film festival dedicated to documentaries, the Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal (Montreal International Documentary Festival) presents the best reality-based films, including the works of established directors and new talents alike. Every November, the RIDM screens approximately 140 domestic and foreign productions and hosts a dozen complementary activities such as workshops, master classes, debates and roundtables. The festival typically welcomes about 100 special guests from outside Quebec, and presents 11 awards selected by juries of industry professionals for films programmed in the official selection.

Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television announces final 2015 Canadian Screen Awards winners

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is pleased to announce that 43 Canadian Screen Awards were presented tonight during the pre-show and the CBC Broadcast Gala, hosted LIVE by comedy legend Andrea Martin from the gorgeous Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto.

“Tonight we celebrate our country’s brightest and best in film, television and digital media at the 2015 Canadian Screen Awards,” says Academy CEO Helga Stephenson. “We sincerely congratulate all of the nominees and winners. And we would especially like to thank the fans who voted for this year’s Fan’s Choice winner as well as the loyal fans who catapulated the most-watched drama and reality shows to win our new Golden Screen Awards for Television.”

“Our film, TV and digital media inform and entertain us – but more than that; they reflect who we are to one another and to the world,” says Academy Chair, Martin Katz. “We at the Academy are the only organization that reflects all the people working in our industries in front of and behind the camera, above and below the line – working in French and English across the country.”