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6th May 2011

TVO Supports Point-Of-View Documentary Storytelling In Canada

TVOTVO, Ontario’s public educational media organization and proud supporter of Canadian documentary filmmaking, is pleased to announce that two new TVO commissioned point-of-view films will be screened at Hot Docs, North America’s largest documentary film festival.

Both films, Recessionize! For Fun and Profit! and Grinders, represent TVO’s commitment to nurturing Canadian hotdocsdocumentary filmmakers with important stories to tell (descriptions and screening information below). And TVO is thrilled that Hot Docs 2011 is honouring documentary filmmaker Alan Zweig. TVO has had the privilege of financially supporting and partnering on all of his documentaries, including the 2010 Genie Award winner, A Hard Name.

“TVO commissions between 8-10 new point-of-view documentary films every year, more than any other Canadian broadcaster,” says Jane Jankovic, TVO’s commissioning editor for point-of-view documentaries. “We deliberately focus on point-of-view films that resonate with Canadians and spark interesting discussions and debate.”

“And with the help of generous donors, we can do even more,” adds Jankovic.

More than fifty percent of TVO’s prime-time programming is devoted to documentary films. That is 1,430 hours of documentaries per year including commissions and acquisitions. TVO offers a selection of documentaries free and online for on-demand viewing.

In 2011, TVO will launch “The Doc Studio” – an exciting new online project that will engage users in the world of documentary films and filmmaking. It will provide a comprehensive look at the works of celebrated filmmakers; showcase the work of emerging filmmakers and will take viewers behind-the-scenes with extra videos, photos and interviews.

TVO at Hot Docs 2011:

Recessionize! For Fun and Profit! Toronto filmmaker Jamie Kastner (Kike Like Me, produced in association with TVO) sets off on a black-comic road trip through California, Europe and Dubai to meet those who manage to turn the world economic crisis into opportunity. The quirky cast ranges from kids at “Camp Millionaire” and Berlin prostitutes offering eco-discounts, to the owners of a French hotel promising a hamster experience.

Saturday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the TIFF Bell Lightbox 2 (rush tickets only)

Grinders Ontario filmmaker Matt Gallagher’s inside journey into the unconventional, often bizarre, underground world of illegal poker clubs. It’s a world populated by colourful characters, straight out of central casting. A world where the workday starts at midnight, runs strictly on cash and can change forever with the simple flip of a card. Matt’s intimate, first person narrative is joined by the voices of other grinders — poker players who make a small but sustainable living at the poker table.

Saturday, May 7 at 9:30 p.m. at TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
Sunday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Fox Theatre (rush tickets only)

This entry was posted on Friday, May 6th, 2011 at 5:45 am and is filed under Events, National News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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