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Industry News

BAFTA award winner Sharon Horgan joins the Banff World Media Festival’s Keynote Summit series lineup

From a media release:

The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) is proud to announce Sharon Horgan as a Summit Series keynote speaker, a premium lineup featuring the boldest voices and the world’s most influential media leaders and recipient of the Award of Excellence. The highly anticipated session will take place on Wednesday, June 14th. The 44th edition of the Festival will take place in person June 11 – 14 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

“Sharon is one of the top creators, showrunners and performers in the business, and her addition to BANFF’s lineup of keynote speakers underscores the Festival’s prominence on the world stage,” said Kevin Beggs, Chair of the Board of Directors for BANFF and Chair & Chief Creative Officer of the Lionsgate Television Group. “We are privileged to be partnered with Sharon on Motherland for the BBC and are beyond excited about its U.S. adaptation that recently received a pilot order at ABC. I’m thrilled that she will be joining us at BANFF.”

“Sharon is one of the most prolific creators of our time, having produced hit after hit of critically-acclaimed content,” said Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director, Banff World Media Festival. “As an actor, showrunner, writer, producer and director, she’s made a virtue of being a multi-hyphenate and continues to deliver honest, clever and wildly entertaining portrayals of women on screen. We’re honoured to welcome Sharon to the BANFF stage to discuss her career and thoughts on the ever-changing industry.”

The BANFF Summit Series is a curated, future-focused lineup of keynote sessions that was launched in 2019 in honour of the festival’s four-decade legacy. As previously announced, Fremantle’s CEO Jennifer Mullin and George Cheeks, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS and Chief Content Officer, News and Sports for Paramount+ are also confirmed as Summit Series keynotes.

Furthermore, Horgan will be presented with the Award of Excellence at the Rockies Gala taking place on Tuesday, June 13th during the Festival. The Award of Excellence acknowledges exceptional achievement through a body of work over an extended period of time. Past honourees include Paul Feig, Jeremy Podeswa, Kenny Ortega, Eugene Levy, Carol Mendelsohn and David E. Kelley.

In addition to Summit Series keynotes, BANFF will return with an array of provocative panel discussions including the recently announced Universal Studio Group Spotlight session featuring Erin Underhill, President of Universal Television, Beatrice Springborn, President of Universal International Studios & UCP and Toby Gorman, President of Universal Television Alternative Studio. As previously announced, multi-faceted entertainer Lilly Singh and World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato are confirmed to participate in exclusive ‘In Conversation With’ sessions, respectively.

The Festival will again include celebrity master classes and networking opportunities to connect the global media industry to ignite new projects and support business development. Also returning are the Rockie Awards International Program Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious screen industry competitions, with participation from more than 45+ countries annually including an international jury of 150 industry professionals. Category winners, including the Grand Jury Prize, the Rogers Prize for Canadian Content, the Francophone Prize, and other special prizes, will be announced during the Festival on June 12th.

ABOUT SHARON HORGAN
Sharon Horgan is a dynamic, witty, and talented multihyphenate whose exceptional storytelling skills have brought her international recognition. She is an award-winning creator, writer, producer, and actor who portrays the experiences of strong, female-driven stories.

Sharon is the writer, co-creator, executive producer, and star of the ten-part comedy thriller series BAD SISTERS with Apple TV+, where she has an overall deal. The series, which premiered on August 18, follows a group of five sisters (the Garveys) and the promise they make to always protect each other after their parents’ premature death. The series stars Sharon alongside Eve Hewson, Eva Birthistle, Sarah Greene, Anne-Marie Duff, and Claes Bang. BAD SISTERS is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a 100% critic score and Time has called the series “wickedly funny” and “genuinely poignant.” It has received 29 nominations, some of which include five Baftas, two Critics’ Choice Awards, two WGAs, and 12 IFTAs. She’s currently in production on Season 2.

Up next, she will star in the drama series,  BEST INTERESTS, written by Jack Thorne. It is a story about a family driven to make choices no parent would ever want to make, as well as highlighting the troubled relationship the UK has with disability.  The show will air this year on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Sharon stars opposite Michael Sheen who will play her husband.

Sharon is best known for her multiple award-winning sitcom CATASTROPHE, which she co-wrote and starred in with Rob Delaney.  She won the BAFTA TV Craft Award for Best Writing in a Comedy Series in 2016 and also gained three BAFTA nominations for her extraordinary performance in the show, alongside a Primetime Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. The final season of CATASTROPHE aired in January 2019 (UK) and in spring 2019 (USA). 

She is also the co-founder, alongside Clelia Mountford, of the TV and Film production company Merman. Under the Merman banner, it was just announced that ABC ordered to pilot DROP OFF, the American adaptation of the award-winning British hit MOTHERLAND. Ellie Kemper and Judy Greer will star in the pilot which is currently in production. Sharon co-created SHINING VALE, an eight-part horror comedy series starring Courteney Cox and Greg Kinnear, which premiered on Starz and is currently in production on its third season. Sharon’s other credits for Merman include executive producing and starring in the animated comedy HOUSEBROKEN on Fox, which stars Lisa Kudrow and was co-created by Clea Duvall, Jennifer Crittenden and Gabrielle Allan. Season 2 just premiered in March 2023. Sharon also executive produced FRANK OF IRELAND (Channel 4/Amazon) and co-wrote and executive produced the BAFTA-winning MOTHERLAND on BBC. She was also an executive producer of FRAYED (Sky/ABC), THERE SHE GOES (BBC/Britbox) and THIS WAY UP (Ch4/Hulu), which she also starred in alongside creator Aisling Bea.

Sharon’s further recognition includes the  BAFTA TV Award for Best Short Form Programme (2018) for MORGANA ROBINSON’S SUMMER: DREAMLAND and an Outstanding Achievement Award for her debut short film THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS.  At the National Comedy Awards, Sharon was awarded the Caroline Ahearne Outstanding Achievement Award. She has also received two BAFTA Award nominations and two British Comedy Awards for her iconic BBC show PULLING which she co-wrote and starred in. She also wrote and directed an episode of Amazon’s anthology MODERN LOVE, “Rallying to Keep the Game Alive” and starring Tina Fey and John Slattery.

On the film side, Sharon can be seen starring opposite Nicolas Cage in THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT, which was released last April. She also starred opposite James McAvoy in the Stephen Daldry-directed film TOGETHER for BBC Two and BBC Film. In 2021, she took on the role of Miss Hedge in the BAFTA-nominated feature film adaptation of the West End musical EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE. She also starred alongside Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman and Kyle Chandler in the critical and commercial hit feature film GAME NIGHT.  In 2020, she starred in MILITARY WIVES opposite Kristin Scott Thomas and the Irish comedy-drama film  DATING AMBER, for which she won an IFTA for Best Supporting Actress.

Sharon’s further acting credits include  CRIMINAL UK (Netflix), BOB’S BURGERS (Fox),  BOJACK HORSEMAN (Netflix), THE INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET (IFC),  ADVENTURE TIME  (CARTOON NETWORK), PSYCHOBITCHES  (Sky Arts), THE BORROWERS  (BBC),  FREE AGENTS  (C4),  DEAD BOSS (BBC) and  BAD SUGAR  (C4), as well as the films  RUN AND JUMP,  DEATH OF A SUPERHERO, and MAN UP.  Sharon also voices Queen Dagmar in the Matt Groening Netflix series DISENCHANTMENT.

Image courtesy of David Levene.

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Astrid & Lilly Save the World, Awards, Children Ruin Everything, Featured, Industry News, The Porter

2023 WGC Screenwriting Awards winners announced

From a media release:

In a funny, lively ceremony held this evening at Koerner Hall in Toronto, the winners of the 27th annual Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Awards were announced. The first in-person WGC Awards ceremony since 2019 (due to COVID-19 precautions), tonight’s gala brought together hundreds of Guild members, industry professionals, and fans—all in celebration of the Canadian screenwriters behind the programming and films viewers enjoy in Canada and around the world.

Some winners of 2023’s top prizes include Clement Virgo (Brother), Marsha Greene (The Porter, pictured above), Kurt Smeaton (Children Ruin Everything), Jason Sherman (My Tree), and Veronika Paz (Astrid & Lilly Save the World). Special awards were also presented to Laura Good, winner of the Sondra Kelly Award, and Adrian Morphy, who was awarded the Jim Burt Screenwriting Prize for his script The 300 Year Old Man. Susin Nielsen, creator and showrunner of Family Law, received the Showrunner Award—the prestigious final prize of the event.

The ceremony was hosted by Vance Banzo, a Saulteaux/Cree comedian, actor, writer, and member of award-winning sketch comedy troupe and series TallBoyz. Awards were presented on stage by showrunner Anthony Q. Farrell (Shelved, Run the Burbs); actress Paloma Nuñez (Shelved); actress and screenwriter Emma Campbell (The Next Step); writer/actor/producer Amanda Joy (Son of a Critch, Amelia Parker); showrunner Emily Andras (Wynonna Earp); writer and producer JP Larocque (Sort Of, JANN); actor and screenwriter Sugith Varughese (Transplant, Fraggle Rock); Amir Kahnamouee (previous WGC Jim Burt Prize winner); and screenwriter and producer Ken Craw (Heartland).

2023 WGC SCREENWRITING AWARDS WINNERS

CHILDREN’S
The Guava Juice Show, “Adventure 9000″ Written by Christine Mitchell

COMEDY SERIES
Children Ruin Everything, “Road Trips” Written by Kurt Smeaton

DOCUMENTARY
My Tree, Written by Jason Sherman

DRAMA SERIES
The Porter, “Episode 104” Written by Marsha Greene (pictured above)

FEATURE FILM
Brother, Written by Clement Virgo

MOW & MINISERIES
Written in the Stars, Written by David Elver

PRESCHOOL
Dino Ranch, “Wings Over Dino Ranch” Written by Ben Joseph & Mike D’Ascenzo

SHORTS
Second Life, Written by Darrin Rose

TWEENS & TEENS
Astrid & Lilly Save the World, “One Rib” Written by Veronika Paz

JIM BURT SCREENWRITING PRIZE
Adrian Morphy for The 300 Year Old Man

SONDRA KELLY AWARD
Laura Good

SHOWRUNNER AWARD
Susin Nielsen

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Industry News, Late Bloomer

Production underway on new Crave original comedy, Late Bloomer

From a media release:

Crave, in association with Pier 21 Films, announced today that production is underway in Toronto and Hamilton on the all-new comedy series, LATE BLOOMER. Created by and starring Jasmeet Singh Raina (Jus Reign), the eight-part series, which is inspired by Raina’s life as a Punjabi Sikh millennial and online celebrity, follows burgeoning content creator Jasmeet Dutta as he tries to balance his ambitions for success with his commitment to his family, community, and culture.

Raina is joined onscreen by an ensemble cast including Baljinder Singh Atwal (DES PARDES) and Sandeep Bali as Jasmeet’s parents, Gurdeep and Supinder; Ashley Ganger (GRAND ARMY) as Jasmeet’s sister, Maanvi; Sugenja Sri (THE HANDMAID’S TALE) and Sachin Mahashi as friends, Chippy and Sunny; and Ahamed Weinberg (INSECURE) as cousin, Neal.

Under the moniker Jus Reign, Raina reached global audiences across social media, including YouTube, and was one of Much Digital Studios’ first content creators in 2015. Raina became known for his deadpan comedic style and commentary on race and pop culture, and is part of a group of storytellers who charted the way for increased South Asian representation in mainstream media.

LATE BLOOMER is produced by Pier 21 Films, in association with Bell Media, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, Rogers Cable Network Fund, the Bell Fund, and tax credit assistance from of the Government of Ontario, and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, and is distributed internationally by Cineflix Rights. Jasmeet Singh Raina is Executive Producer, Star, and Creator, and Baljinder Dhawan is Executive Producer. Shebli Zarghami is Executive Producer and Showrunner. Laszlo Barna, Nicole Butler, Karen Tsang, and Vanessa Steinmetz serve as Executive Producers for Pier 21 Films and Robbie David is Series Producer. Lakna Edirisinghe is Co-Executive Producer. Consulting Producers are Russell Peters, Clayton Peters, and Peter Huang, who also serves as Director for the series.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Debra Salmoni brings her interior design know-how to Scott’s Vacation House Rules

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Cottages have come a long way since the days my family rented one in Sauble Beach, Ont. That one boasted mismatched wallpaper, a bedroom with a lamp so creepy we put it in a closet, and a dodgy septic system. Nowadays, if you’re planning to rent your cottage out, you need to really ramp it up.

Enter Scott McGillivray and Debra Salmoni.

Returning for Season 4 this Sunday on HGTV Canada, Scott’s Vacation House Rules finds the pair leading the charge to turn dodgy into drop-dead gorgeous. With his real estate and contracting skills and her 12 years of interior design expertise, everything they touch has a wow factor as well as bringing in the highest rental income possible.

It all begins Sunday when the pair help Scott’s best friend, Blake, renovate his run-down property.

We spoke to Debra Salmoni about her start on HGTV Canada, and her tips for those looking to design their own properties for maximum impact and income.

When I speak to somebody that’s part of the HGTV Canada family, I get their backstory. But I was doing some research into you and read the story that Seneca College did on you. HGTV Canada literally called you out of the blue because they saw you on Instagram. Is that true?
Debra Salmoni: Yes, yes, pretty much. My husband [Dave Salmoni] has been on television. He did a show in 2015, and his makeup artist is actually the one who put my name forward randomly to a casting director. The casting director was looking for a designer for Scott McGillivray’s new show. I guess they were on set together at another project, and all of a sudden this casting director messages me on Instagram and was just like, ‘I would love to talk to you about this opportunity.’ And I thought it was spam.

They followed up a few times. And then, finally, I replied ‘Is this serious?’ We had a conversation, and it went really, really well. I met with Scott on set to do a camera test, and see how we worked and our chemistry together. And then, like a week later, it was, ‘You got the part!’ [Laughs.] And then, two days after that it was, ‘We’re filming tomorrow.’ Within six weeks I was on TV filming with Scott. I’d never done television before. No desire to be on television. It’s really serendipitous

Cottages have come such a long way from when my family rented one when I was a kid. If you want any kind of income, you really need to update it and think of a cottage kind of as a second home.
DS: Domestic travel and cottages have come such a long way. Before, we used to get two weeks’ vacation, and you would go to the cottage by the lake and you would spend two weeks with your family, and that was it. You would shut it down and you would go back home. Our lifestyles have changed. We can work remotely, we get six weeks of vacation, it’s all different. These properties need insulation. They need running water. Getting the bones and the structure of these homes is very, very important.

And it’s a huge part of the show, and it’s the unsexy part of the renovation. It eats up a lot of the budget. So, to anyone who wants to renovate their cottage outside of a quick of some paint and accessories, you have to get the bones of your property right. Before you start investing in new kitchens and putting down new floors and buying new furniture, otherwise there’s going to be water damage, you’re gonna have foundation cracks, and you’re gonna have some of these serious issues because the cottages were not built for year-round use.

I want to talk about that intimate relationship between a homeowner or a cottage owner and an interior designer. Can you just talk about that relationship and how important it is?
DS: I own my own design studio as well. With homeowners on the show, I only get a little bit of time with them to go through their wishlists. They send me their wishlist, we talk, we meet, we go through all of those details, and then, basically, they step away and it’s in our hands. With my personal clients, some of them are like, ‘Deb, you do your thing. We’ve worked together for so many years, I trust you entirely.’ But other clients like to be very involved in the process, and I love when they’re involved because yes, you’re right, I have to dig deep into their lifestyle. So when we’re selecting a bathtub, it’s the size of the bathtub. Are the kids gonna be bathing in here? Is it just for you? Are you even a bath person or do you prefer a shower? Do you wanna have a bench in there? For vanities, do you like to have one big vanity? Do you want to have separate vanities? You really dig deep into the lifestyle of your clients so you can completely customize the house to their needs. And that’s when they walk in and they’re like, ‘Wow, Deb nailed it.’

Going back to Blake’s cottage in the Sunday debut. I really loved the multipurpose, red-checked stool. I feel like, if you’re renting out your property, everything has to be really solid.
DS: The minute a client tells us we’re planning on renting there is function, durability, wear and tear to consider. When it’s just your own property, you’re going up there maybe a week, and then it stays dormant for a month, and then you go up for another week. There’s not much wear and tear. But when you’re renting out these properties, the hope is that its back-to-back renters. You have two days of cleaning everything, getting it set up in another two weeks. Everything gets hardcore wear and tear. You want to make sure that you’re picking materials that are durable.

Scott’s Vacation House Rules airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV Canada.

Images courtesy of Corus.

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