Canada Eyes $75 Million Government Backstop for Film & TV Insurance Plan (EXCLUSIVE)

Jill Goldsmith The Council of the European Union has kept restrictions on travel from the U.S. in place even as it lifts them for 15 other countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and China starting tomorrow, July 1.U.S.

Canada's Cineplex reported a $178.4 million loss in the first quarter after the global COVID-19 crisis shuttered its theaters and out-of-home entertainment venues since March. During the latest quarter, the Canadian exhibitor posted a non-cash impairment charge of $173.1 million related to goodwill, right-of-use assets and property and leasehold charges.

A Canadian company planned something very special for Pride Month.

Celine Dion will never forget the first time she sang for David Foster. Amid decades of memorable moments, Dion's first meeting with Foster, «one of the greatest producers of all time,» sticks out.

Canada’s own JoJo Mason is urging everyone to remind themselves “Where Is The Love?”

Family Romance, LLC will be officially released for MUBI members on the streaming platform on July 4, after 24 hours of free streaming.The preview event will also offer an exclusive introduction and 15-minute Q&A interview with Herzog, who directed the film and also served as writer and cinematographer.The virtual preview will be available to stream in over 150 countries, including the US, Canada, India and Australia.The film, based on true events, follows a Tokyo-based company offering

Manori Ravindran International Editor“Jackie” filmmaker Pablo Larrain may be set to direct Kristen Stewart in Lady Diana film “Spencer,” but the pair will first collaborate in a new collection of short films from Netflix.Filmed during COVID-19 and across various states of global lockdown, “Homemade” unites 17 leading filmmakers in a compendium of short films — available to watch separately as five to seven-minute shorts or as one long feature — that captures the shared experience of quarantine.

Leo Barraclough Senior International CorrespondentMunich-based sales agent Global Screen has closed deals on major territories for nature documentary “The Hidden Life of Trees,” based on Peter Wohlleben’s non-fiction bestseller, which has been published in more than 40 countries.Capelight has acquired all rights for North America, with Metropolitan picking up France.

Cameron Boyce’s death, his co-star, Sofia Carson, is recalling the actor’s bright personality — describing him as “sunshine wearing shoes” — and urging fans to continue his legacy by practicing love and kindness.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentAMC Networks’ Sundance Now has acquired Schiaffino Musarra’s Swedish crime comedy series “We Got This” from Banijay Rights for the U.S., Canada and the U.K.The show follows George English (Musarra),
 a recently jobless American man living in Sweden who sets off to solve the 30-year-old murder of the former prime minister Olof Palme, in hopes that the 50 million Swedish crown ($5 million) reward can pay off his insurmountable tax bill.

[Note: In the wake of the Hot Doc festival’s postponement this year, The Hollywood Reporter is reviewing select entries that elected to premiere digitally.] At the heart of The Walrus and the Whistleblower, the new documentary portrait of ex-animal trainer Phil Demers, is a hashtag: #SaveSmooshi.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaSeveral major North American LGBTQ film festivals are forming an alliance so that they can continue to highlight the works of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer filmmakers during the coronavirus pandemic. To that end, Frameline (San Francisco), Inside Out (Toronto), NewFest (NYC), and Outfest (Los Angeles) have formed NAQFA: the North American Queer Festival Alliance.

Naman Ramachandran Sara Curran’s U.K.-based Tricycle Talent agency has taken a minority stake in Courtney James, Curtis Dawes and Leon Johnson’s U.K.

2 min read Tributes are flowing for a 30-year-old Egyptian refugee who committed suicide on the weekend in Canada after being threatened and imprisoned in Egypt for taking out a rainbow flag at a concert. Sarah Hegazie, a young lesbian woman, originally from Egypt, had gone into exile in Canada during 2018.

Naman Ramachandran Canada’s Lark Productions has acquired the exclusive television rights to Image Comics’ sci-fi graphic novel series “Descender,” and its sequel “Ascender,” created by New York Times bestselling author Jeff Lemire (“Black Hammer”) and artist Dustin Nguyen (“Batman: Streets of Gotham”).“Fortunate Son” producer Lark, which is part of NBCUniversal International Studios, will develop and produce the series.“Descender” was launched in 2015 and 32 graphic novels were published

IMDb is offering some streaming suggestions with a distinctly Canadian flair, eh.

Rebecca Davis editorA rare letter of dissent circulating online slammed China’s government for failing to help film industry workers whose livelihoods have been shaken by prolonged coronavirus-imposed shutdowns.Written this weekend as China hit its 136th day since cinemas shuttered nationwide, the letter has spread within film industry circles despite being censored on some platforms. Variety was unable to contact the author or verify its source.

Jennifer Aniston is backing up her commitment to the fight against racial injustice with a sizable donation. The “Morning Show” actress — who has been very open in her support with the recent protests against police brutality and racial injustice — is using her money to help the cause.

By Elsa Keslassy