Tag Archives: Featured

Buffalo Gal Pictures sparks a global “Fiasco” on 30th anniversary

January 22, 2025 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

Celebrating 30 years of industry acclaim, Buffalo Gal Pictures proudly announces the launch of sister enterprise Fiasco Global Media. A new television development company dedicated to creating rich, character-driven stories rooted in the spirit of working-class communities and rural prairies, Fiasco is designed to connect with viewers across the globe.

Headquartered in Winnipeg and Los Angeles, the company is poised to expand Buffalo Gal’s international reach while staying true to its creative roots.

Fiasco Global Media is led by Jennifer Beasley (above), a former writer-turned-seasoned executive producer whose credits include Less Than Kind, Cra$h & Burn, The Spencer Sisters, the hit comedy Acting Good, and the 2024 horror satire Rumours, starring Cate Blanchett. Fiasco, under Beasley’s leadership, will focus on characters and stories that immerse audiences in compelling worlds and create cultural touchstones.

Fiasco’s slate is growing, with the company picking up IP that will attract talent and deliver a mix of escapism and resonance. Early projects include a rural half-hour family workplace comedy series from acclaimed writer Garry Campbell (North of North, Kids in the Hall, Less Than Kind) and a comedic two-hander police procedural from Hollis Ludlow-Carroll, creator of Wong & Winchester.

Joining Beasley as Consulting Head of U.S. Series Development is Burrad Marsh, whose career began at ICM as a literary agent before he transitioned into television development. Marsh has held key executive roles at Alchemy, Shed Media, Outright Distribution, and Amaze Film & TV, developing and producing series for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. He also consults for the Canadian Consulate on cross-border content initiatives.

For more information, visit fiascoglobal.com.

Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Get ready to laugh again! AMI’s second All Access Comedy special debuts February 7 on AMI-tv and AMI+

January 22, 2025 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

After a successful first All Access Comedy, Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) and Pilot Light Productions, in association with Ha!ifax ComedyFest, are excited to announce the second special—hosted by international comic superstar D.J. Demers—debuts Friday, February 7, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+.

All Access Comedy is a stand-up special like no other, with comedians from the disability community coming together to celebrate their unique outlook on life for a packed audience of all abilities.

What is it like to use hearing aids? What are the challenges associated with cerebral palsy? What is it like to navigate the world when you are blind? What is it like to process life on the Autism Spectrum? All Access Comedy answers these questions and many more. The performances are observational, insightful and laugh-out-loud funny.

All Access Comedy is hosted by JUNO-nominated stand-up comedy veteran D.J. Demers (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Conan), who starred in his own AMI/CBC series One More Time, currently available on AMI+, in 2024. When he’s not busy with TV projects, Demers tours extensively on the comedy club circuit in both Canada and the U.S.

All Access Comedy features performances by Ontario comic and motivational speaker Michael McCreary, who started performing at 12 years of age, channeling his experiences on the Autism Spectrum into comedy gold; Toronto-based comedian Joze Piranian, originally from Lebanon, who jokes that as a child, his speech impediment obliged him to stutter in four different languages; Toronto writer and performer Dan Barra-Berger, who knows what it’s like to navigate Canada’s biggest city using a white cane; and New York City-based American comedian Tina Friml, who started her career at small-town comedy clubs in Vermont and now tours extensively, including appearing on network late-night shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

All Access Comedy was recorded in front of a live audience at the Spatz Theatre in Halifax as part of the 2024 Ha!ifax ComedyFest. Arrangements were made to meet the needs of the diverse audience in attendance. Rows of seats were removed to create prime viewing spots for wheelchair users. A simultaneous subtitling system (CART) was provided on-site to assist Deaf and/or hard of hearing audience members. To accommodate American Sign Language users, a live ASL interpreter was on stage. The live production was overseen by a professional Accessibility Coordinator at both the planning and execution stages.

All Access Comedy debuts Friday, February 7, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+.

Stream the first All Access Comedy special anytime, for free, on AMI+.

All Access Comedy is produced by Halifax-based Pilot Light Productions.

Featured

Tubi CEO Anjali Sud first keynote announced for the 2025 Banff World Media Festival

January 22, 2025 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) is thrilled to announce Anjali Sud, CEO of Tubi, as the first confirmed keynote speaker for its 2025 BANFF Summit Series. Recognized as a dynamic leader in streaming and media innovation, Sud will take center stage as the first announced speaker at the 46th annual event, running June 8–11, 2025, at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

The BANFF Summit Series, launched in 2019, has become the festival’s flagship program, spotlighting transformative thinkers and leaders shaping the future of media and entertainment. Sud’s keynote promises to offer invaluable insights into the evolving streaming landscape, drawing on her groundbreaking leadership at Tubi, one of the fastest-growing streaming platforms in the world.

“Audiences around the globe increasingly value a premium entertainment experience that is also 100% free, fun and reflective of culture,” said Anjali Sud, CEO, Tubi. “Tubi has built a large and growing fanbase by putting viewers first, and I’m excited to share our perspective at the Banff World Media Festival this year.”

“Anjali Sud is a leader whose impact on the media and entertainment industry exemplifies the innovation and bold thinking that BANFF celebrates,” said Sean Cohan, Chair of the Board of Directors, BANFF, and President of Bell Media. “Her insights will set the tone for a dynamic and forward-looking conversation about the future of media.”

Additional keynotes for the festival in June will be announced in the coming months. Past Summit Series speakers include Rob Wade, Channing Dungey, Bela Bajaria, George Cheeks, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Paula Kerger, Pearlena Igbokwe, Ted Sarandos and Maverick Carter, to name a few.

BANFF is renowned for its vibrant mix of thought leadership, networking, and deal-making opportunities that take attendees behind the scenes of the industry’s most talked-about appointments, projects and pivots as well as over 1,200 networking sessions and 25,000+ meetings, connecting global media professionals to foster partnerships and spark new collaborations.

“Anjali Sud’s impressive leadership at Tubi is inspiring, and we can’t wait to hear her viewpoints on the global industry, from our main stage,” said Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director, Banff World Media Festival. “BANFF is a vital meeting point for film and TV players from across the world, and our team is more focused than ever on bringing the most innovative and exciting business and creative minds to the Festival in June.”

Returning to the program is the highly anticipated 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. In addition, the industry-favourite Rockies Gala will return to celebrate the best content and most influential entertainment industry executives, talent and creators in the world.

About Anjali Sud
Anjali Sud is CEO of Tubi, America’s most watched free TV and movie streaming service. Under Sud’s leadership the company has exhibited exciting growth and momentum, scaling to over 80 million monthly active viewers, expanding globally and solidifying its position as a major entertainment destination.

Prior to Tubi, Anjali served as CEO of Vimeo (NASDAQ:VMEO), the global online video platform. During her six year tenure she took the company public and established Vimeo as the home for video creators and professionals worldwide, building a community of over 300 million users. Before that, she held various positions in e-commerce and media at Amazon and Time Warner.

Anjali has been featured in Fortune’s 40 under 40, Crain’s 40 under 40, Adweek’s Power List, Variety’s Power of Women, and The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Gen Under 35. She is a designated Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute. She serves on the board of directors of Dolby Laboratories (NYSE:DLB) and as Chair of the board of Change.org. Anjali grew up in Flint, Michigan, and lives in New York City with her husband and two young sons.

Featured

Hockey Night in Canada on APTN expands: in Plains Cree for a third season and now also in Inuktitut!

January 7, 2025 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

APTN and Sportsnet are proud to team up once again to bring NHL hockey back to APTN and now to APTN Languages, expanding the reach of this groundbreaking initiative that celebrates language revitalization and connects fans coast to coast to coast with the game they love. This season, viewers can once again experience Hockey Night in Canada in Cree, with play-by-play commentary from the iconic Clarence Iron, joined by analysts Earl Wood, John Chabot and Jason Chamakese, whose expert insights and lively banter make every game unforgettable. And, for the first time ever, APTN will also broadcast three games in Inuktitut. Hosted by Pujjuut Kusugak and David Ningeongan, Hockey Night in Canada in Inuktitut is extending the excitement to even more communities in a meaningful way.

Here is this season’s game lineup!

Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Plains Cree: Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames, 7 p.m. ET for Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Plains Cree: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Vancouver Canucks, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Plains Cree: Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Inuktitut: Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars, 10 p.m. ET
Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Inuktitut: Ottawa Senators vs. New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Inuktitut: Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET

“This season of Hockey Night in Canada in Cree and Inuktitut marks an exciting step forward in enhancing Indigenous language content in partnership with Sportsnet,” said Mike Omelus, APTN Executive Director of Content and Strategy. “Expanding the broadcast to include both Plains Cree and Inuktitut showcases our commitment to fostering language revitalization and connecting communities through the power of sport. With the launch of APTN Languages, we’re proud to continue breaking new ground by bringing meaningful content to audiences across the country.”

For more information, please visit the Hockey Night in Canada in Cree and Inuktitut show page.

Featured, Saint-Pierre

Allan Hawco returns to CBC with rollicking, refreshing Saint-Pierre

January 5, 2025 Greg David Leave a comment

For six seasons, Allan Hawco’s Republic of Doyle entertained viewers on CBC. The fast-paced detective drama was set in and around St. John’s and spotlit the unique island community through the eyes of Jake Doyle and his co-workers, friends, lovers and enemies.

Now Hawco is back and spotlighting another island community.

Debuting Monday at 9 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem, Saint-Pierre—co-created by Hawco, Robina Lord-Stafford and Perry Chafe—boasts the humour, heart and unique environs that are Hawco’s bread and butter.

At the centre of the series is its two lead characters. Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Inspector Donny “Fitz” Fitzpatrick (Hawco) finds himself banished to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon—the French territory of 6,000 nestled in the Atlantic Ocean—after digging too deeply into illegal activity surrounding a local politician (played by Eric Johnson), who happens to be married to Fitz’s ex-wife (Vanessa Matsui).

Once on the island, Fitz is partnered with Deputy Chief Genevieve “Arch” Archambault (Joséphine Jobert). There are some fish-out-of-water moments for Fitz in the first episode—he not only suffers from sea sickness (bad news when you’re working on a small island) and a fear of heights—not to mention struggling with the language barrier (luckily, Fitz understands French better than he speaks it). Rounding out the main cast are Benz Antoine, Erika Prevost, Jean-Michel Le Gal and James Purefoy as the big bad in Season 1.

Much of Monday’s debut sets up the people and their world. And what a world it is! Quaint, brightly painted wood homes dot the coast of Saint-Pierre while older stone buildings stand sentry inland. French flags wave everywhere, and croissants and seafood are plentiful. Hawco revealed during a recent interview that he was on a location scout for fellow CBC/Hawco Productions project Son of a Critch when he visited the island, and knew it should be the setting for his next series. He had written two pilot projects and Saint-Pierre was the perfect fit for one.

“One [idea] was very close to what this show is, the very notion of these two partners who were thrust together by fate, and unwilling partners who didn’t know they needed each other until now,” he says.

Eagle-eyed fans of Death in Paradise will quickly identify Jobert, who portrayed Detective Sergeant Florence Cassell from 2015 to 2024 on the veteran British series. The chemistry Jobert has with Hawco is instantaneous and undeniable and is a huge part of why Saint-Pierre works so well.

“She’s my favourite type of person and actor,” Hawco says. “She’s prepared. She’s also totally flexible to go with anything in the moment. She’s practical about what the technical requirements of the job are while keeping a fluidity and an absolute freshness and spontaneity to her work. No ego, no status, no judgment. She’s generous with the crew. She understands people’s jobs, she respects them. She’s a true angel. She’s an absolute unicorn.”

Saint-Pierre airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.

Images courtesy of CBC.