Twelve writer/producer teams from across Canada have been named as the finalists for the China Canada Gateway Film Script Competition, part of the Whistler Film Festival (WFF).
The teams will pitch their movie projects to three Chinese production companies and three international experts, with the aim of making films suitable for both the Chinese domestic and international markets.
At least three of the 12 projects will be chosen for development, with potentially millions of dollars in production financing on the table for the winners.
The announcement was made by the WFF in a release on Thursday, Oct. 31.
This is the second year of the competition.
The 12 teams were selected by jury members Eva Cao, Head of Productions, Huayi Brothers International and Victoria Hon, Producer, Director of International Cooperation, Hairun Pictures and include:
- Clash — written by Chester Sit (The China Clipper – The Larry Kwong Story), produced by Josh Miller (Forsaken, I Think I Do, Freezer Burn: The Invasion of Laxdale.
- Deception and Honour — written by Sandy Yates, produced by Shari Hamrick, Alianza Films International (Presumed Innocent)
- Hockey Sole — written and produced by Deborah Hu (Righteous Cut)
- Hunting Sasquatch — written by Mark Leiren-Young (The Green Chain), produced by Tony Wosk (The Sheepdogs Have At It, The Green Chain)
- Keyboard Warrior — written by Osric Chau (Supernatural), produced by Jessica Dhillon (Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Elysium)
- Little Big Fish — written by Simone Stock and Shawn Tanaka, produced by Misha Skoric (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)
- Rebound! — written by Alistair Stewart (I Am The Temple, Off Label), produced by Chris Nanos, Radke Films (Everything's Gone Green)
- The Art of Wushu — written by Sandra Feldman (Please Kill Mr. Know It All), produced by Tasso Lakas
- The Hot Pot Engagement — written by Rui (Mary) Zhang (Winter Break), produced by Massey Brothers Film (The Film Student, Earth Day)
- The Immortal — written by I-Fan Quirk (Violet & Dasiy), produced by Ori Kowarsky(Various Positions)
- The Shanghai Hotel — written and produced by Aria Budd Johnson and Eric Johnson (Best Day Ever)
- Zamboni — written by Brian Dick and Tricia Finn, produced by Brian Dick, Gun Lake Pictures, Executive Producer Sacha McLean (Wolverine, The Bourne Legacy)
The three Chinese production companies at the table are Edko Film, represented by executive producer Mathew Tang, Xian Film and TV Producton Co. Ltd, represented by CEO Wang Le, and Beijing Guoyingshengshi Culture Communication Co., represented by president Zhiping Zhao.
The panel of experts vetting the pitches includes Elisabeth Costa De Beauregard Rose, president of International Sales & Distribution, Voltage Pictures; Kirk D’Amico, president and CEO, Myriad Pictures, and Mark Slone, senior vice-president of acquisitions, Entertainment One.
Those wishing to watch will require a Premium Industry pass for the festival, Industry Pass or observer ticket.
For interviews and more information check out the next issue of Pique Newsmagazine or www.piquenewsmagazine.com.
