MIZERIA Selected for The TorinoFilmLab 2019 FeatureLab Training Programme /  by Karen Harnisch

MIZERIA, directed by Eva Michon and produced by Karen Harnisch, was selected for the TFL’s 2019 FeatureLab training programme. The Canadian-Polish co-production is the feature debut for Michon and is being produced through Film Forge and Opus Films.

This year’s line-up has a focus on diversity and links to local culture, according to Vincenzo Bugno and Violeta Bava, curator and head of studies at the TFL.

The FeatureLab will include two residential workshops (in June and in September) during which the participants will work on the various stages of production and filmmaking, from scripting to direction to sound design, financing and audience engagement strategies, alongside international consultants.

The training will conclude with the annual TFL Meeting Event in November, where the filmmakers will present their projects to an industry audience.

Source

Andrew Cividino Will Be Part of TIFF's Panel on Securing Actors for Low Budget Films /  by Karen Harnisch

Breakfast at TIFF is hosting a panel discussion on the benefits and obstacles of Canada's model for working with actors within the evolving space of independent filmmaking.

Time: May 10th, 2019 at 9am
Location: TIFF Bell Lightbox

Moderator: Matt Johnson
Panellist: Filmmaker Andrew Cividino, casting director Natalie Semotiuk, actor and filmmaker Deragh Campbell, and a representative from ACTRA.

Source: https://www.tiff.net/events/breakfast-at-tiff-cast-away-securing-actors-for-your-low-budget-film

‘Please Speak Continuously and Describe Your Experiences As They Come To You’ Will Have Its World Premiere at the Semaine de la Critique - Cannes This Year /  by Karen Harnisch

The short was directed by Brandon Cronenberg, shot by Karim Hussain csc and produced by Film Forge Productions. Huge congratulations to our incredible cast & crew!

Emily is a patient at an experimental psychiatric facility where a brain implant prototype allows her to relive her dreams.

Source: http://www.semainedelacritique.com/en/edition/2019/movie/please-speak-continuously-and-describe-your-experiences-as-they-come-to-you

Go Behind the Scenes of Schitt's Creek's Cabaret-Themed Season Finale /  by Karen Harnisch

The fifth season of the sitcom ended with its characters mounting a community theatre production of the 1966 musical.

The episode, which premiered April 10, featured performances of "Willkommen" and "Maybe This Time." Star and co-creator Dan Levy co-directed the episode with Film Forge’s very own Andrew Cividino.

Source: http://www.playbill.com/article/go-behind-the-scenes-of-schitts-creeks-cabaret-themed-season-finale

Andrew Cividino Nominated for BEST DIRECTION, COMEDY in the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards /  by Karen Harnisch

Andrew Cividino was nominated under the Best Direction, Comedy category at the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards for his work in SCHITT’S CREEK.

Schitt’s Creek – Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose
CBC (CBC)
(Not A Real Company Productions, Inc.)
Daniel Levy, Andrew Cividino

Source: https://etcanada.com/news/435306/the-winners-canadian-screen-awards-presented-for-creative-fiction-storytelling/

Andrew Cividino Co-Directed SCHITT'S CREEK Holiday Special /  by Karen Harnisch

Fans of Schitt's Creek have been waiting for a holiday special ever since Dan Levy teased one on Instagram this past April, and now he's finally ready to deliver his gift, Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose.

Levy, who serves as an executive producer of the series and stars as David, also wrote the holiday episode and co-directed it with Andrew Cividino.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/comedy/dan-levy-gets-in-the-spirit-of-the-holidays-for-a-special-episode-of-schitt-s-creek-1.4945038

Karen Harnisch - Jury Member of the Telefilm Talent to Watch Program /  by Karen Harnisch

Karen Harnisch was part of the five-member jury that selected the English-language project for the Telefilm Canada Talent to Watch program (formerly the Micro-Budget Production program).

”Forty-five projects will be developed under Talent to Watch’s first edition, all from rookie feature filmmakers…Of the 45 projects selected, 20 come from Ontario, 11 from Quebec, five from British Columbia, three from Nova Scotia, two from Manitoba and one each from Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Yukon. Twenty-one have female directors attached, achieving 47 per cent gender parity.”

Source

Karen Harnisch Selected for Producer's Spotlight at EFM /  by Karen Harnisch

Film Forge Cofounder Karen Harnisch will represent the company at this year's European Film Market at Berlinale. Harnisch is one of ten producers selected by Telefilm Canada to showcase at the Canadian Producers Spotlight. 

EFM will take place this year on February 15th -23rd. See the full list for EFM here. 

Canadian Film Industry is Narrowing the Gender Gap /  by Karen Harnisch

Funding agency Telefilm says 44 per cent of projects in the pipeline have female directors attached, but greater diversity across the board is still a big issue

Sleeping Giant producer Karen Harnisch chalks up the increase in female-driven submissions to Telefilm’s incentive.

“In a competitive process, if you know that a woman director will give you a greater chance at getting financing, you will go out there and find a woman director,” she says.

Source: https://nowtoronto.com/movies/features/telefilm-canadian-film-industry-narrows-gender-gap/