Astral Media The Harold Greenberg Fund is pleased to announce its latest round of funding for 24 new and ongoing projects through its Script Development Program.
Chosen from 99 applications, the most recent selection of supported projects features a wide array of film adaptations including Vincenzo Natali’s Neuromancer, from Fire Development Inc.,and Kari Skogland’s Prisoner of Tehran, from Miracle Pictures Inc.
Neuromancer is the most famous early cyberpunk novel, written in 1984 by William Gibson. It tells the story of a washed up computer hacker hired by a mysterious employer to work on the ultimate hack. Prisoner of Tehran is based on an autobiographical novel by Marina Nemat. An extrordinatry tale of faith and survival, Prisoner of Tehran is a testament to the power of love in the face of evil and injustice.
“In addition to compelling stories, we look for projects with marketability.” said John Galway, President, English-Language Program, Astral Media The Harold Greenberg Fund. “This is a part of our ongoing efforts to increase the recognition Canadian Filmmakers in the international marketplace and to make screenwriting a viable career option in Canada.”
This latest collection of supported scripts includes new projects from recognized industry leaders Shaftesbury Films (Sea Witches) and rising stars such as Zoe Whittall and Linsey Stewart (Bottle Rocket Hearts). While Brad Peyton (The Troll Under the Table) gives us a haunting tale that parallels the daunting journey and stuggles of youth through the eyes of an outsider.
Projects approved this quarter include:
SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Story Optioning
Bottle Rocket Hearts
Sonia Hosko, Michelle Mama and Stephanie Markowitz
Screenwriter: Zoe Whittall and Linsey Stewart
Cockroach
Films du Boulevard Inc.
Screenwriter: Arto Paragamian
The Program
Acqua Films Inc.
Screenwriter: Hal Niedzviecki
Consecrated Ground
Emotion Pictures Inc.
Screenwriter: Thom Fitzgerald
Prisoner of Tehran
Miracle Pictures Inc.
Screenwriter: Kari Skogland
The Contest
Cache Film and Television Inc.
First Draft
90 Days
Apsara Productions Inc.
Screenwriter: Brendan Howley
Jumbo’s Clown Room
Hellground Productions Inc.
Screenwriter: Alison Murray and Alex Pugsley
The Northern Star
1078459 Ontario Inc.
Screenwriter: David Devine and Malcolm Clarke
Second Draft
Drifters
Temple Street Productions Inc.
Screenwriter: Meghan Martin and Adriana Capozzi
Grade Five
Sienna Films Development Inc.
Screenwriter: Tricia Fish
Horse
Park Ex Pictures Inc.
Screenwriter: Pat Kiely, Darren Curtis and Matt Silver
Life on the Edge
Indian Grove Productions Inc.
Screenwriter: Emily Pohl-Weary
Love and Science
Devonshire Productions Inc.
Screenwriter: Elyse Friedman
The Last Crossing
Minds Eye Development Inc.
Screenwriter: Rob King
Monster Lawns
The Factory Backwards
Screenwriter: Max Reid and Adam Reid
Final Draft
Consecrated Ground
Emotion Pictures Inc.
Screenwriter: Thom Fitzgerald
Lawrence and Holloman
Ameland Films Inc.
Screenwriter: David Arnold and Matthew Kowalchuk
Neuromancer
Fire Development Inc.
Screenwriter: Vincenzo Natali
Prisoner of Tehran
Miracle Pictures Inc.
Screenwriter: Kari Skogland
The Troll Under the Table
Capri Films Inc.
Screenwriter: Brad Peyton
Truck Stop
Miracle Pictures Inc.
Screenwriter: Bonnie Fairweather
Polish & Packaging
Sea Witches
Shaftesbury Films Inc. and MacRury Here Productions Inc.
Screenwriter: Malcom MacRury and Adriana Maggs
I Shot the Sheriff
Conquering Lions Pictures Inc.
Screenwriter: Clement Virgo and Karen X. Tulchinsky
The Script Development Program was created to assist in the development of quality Canadian feature film scripts. The program receives a yearly contribution of $1.3 million from Astral Media’s The Movie Network.
The script development applications are reviewed each quarter by the English-Language Committee of Astral Media The Harold Greenberg Fund, which includes Suzette Couture, Damon D’Oliveira, Melanie Friesen, John Galway, Shane Kinnear, Bryn Matthews and Kevin Wright.
