Anglo Filmmakers in Quebec Canada Thankful for F
SODEC, Telefilm, OMDC Available to Province's English Film-Makers - But is it Enough?
May 12, 2009
Movies are an integral part of our everyday lives. Here in Quebec, we are privileged to have a strong film industry that caters to both languages. For those of us who live in Quebec, the English language film scene is lost amidst the larger francophone productions that are released every year. It is no surprise that most of the funding and allocation of money is granted to Le Cinema Quebecois. To further the concern, we are in troubling economic times. The arts are being cut from the government’s budget and that leaves little resources for young filmmakers.
In the last few years there have been a number of young filmmakers that have made outstanding movies in Quebec with the help from funding companies like Sodec and Telefilm. In some cases, these filmmakers have out of sheer will and sacrifice, self-financed their productions and released their movies through small distribution companies. In spite of numerous obstacles, movies like Adam's Wall have made headlines at festivals this year. Although English cinema is still trying to find its place in Quebec, the talent and future of young Anglo filmmakers in the province has never been better.
Funding matters to large film productions like: Adam’s Wall
Dana Schoel is the screenwriter behind the movie Adam's Wall. According to Dana, there is funding available in Quebec but you must stick with the guidelines of making socially relevant films. Dana has been awarded a number of script-writing grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, Sodec and Telefilm Canada. In fact Sodec funded the movie Adam's Wall that was produced through Couzin films, a small Anglo production company out of Quebec. Dana believes that if you are making a movie with taxpayer money than you do need to abide by the rules of making movies that are culturally relevant to Canadians, or in this case the Quebec population.
Funding matters to small production companies like: RenLogik or Bunbury Films
Renaud Stanton Dupré is a filmmaker and founder of RenLogik, a production company out of Montreal. On the issue of funding, Renaud believes that in Quebec there is a greater place for French projects. “Since that is the case, Anglo filmmakers can apply for grants outside the province which makes it easier to receive funding, so it evens out.” Renaud disagrees on the issue that Anglo filmmakers cannot get funding unless they abide by the mandate of making cultural relevant films. He believes it is a difficult endeavor for any filmmaker, regardless of what language the film is being produced. Renaud says that to make a film in any language: “You come up with your idea, shop it around, find a producer who wants to back you, apply for a grant then cross your fingers and start praying. If that fails bribe your friends, max your credit card and make it because you have to.”
Frederic Bohbot is the founder of Bunbury Films. This production company does entertainment films as well as corporate and music videos. Frederic is the writer, producer and director of the documentary movie Once a Nazi. According to Frederic, in Canada we have many advantages that do not exist in the US. “In Canada we have provincial and federal tax credits for the Canadian Labor that is hired during the production process… we also receive funding from Telefilm Canada, Canadian television fund, SODEC, OMDC which Americans do not have access to.” He refers to the film industry in the U.S. that receives no government funding and is completely self-financed. Frederic goes on to add that he has no trouble making films in Quebec. “There are certain limitations, but I’m aware of them and I try to find other ways to fund my films.”
Ezra Soiferman is the Director and co-founder of the Montreal Film Group. His passion is for directing but at times Ezra finds himself as a producer and even as a cameraman. He has worked on projects for the National Film Board of Canada, Global television and the CBC. Ezra Soiferman says that he can’t imagine its easy to make a film anywhere, let alone in Quebec.
Cuts in funding
The issue of funding is difficult to resolve. The most important point from this debate is that Quebec is the best place in North America for funding young filmmakers. Recently, Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper has slashed millions of dollars in Arts funding. It has been increasingly more difficult for anyone to find financing for motion pictures no matter what the language of the film may be.
The talented filmmakers that are producing films in Quebec are on the rise and that is ultimately what will make the English language film industry strive and survive in the province. Dana Schoel believes that funding is essential for young, talented filmmakers to get their movies made.
By Jose Espinoza
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