Telefilm's contribution to feature film development and screenwriting has grown steadily over the past three years. Canadian film operates in an extremely difficult economic environment, and the Corporation's role is instrumental in the financing of the projects it supports. Its assistance is especially significant at the precarious development and writing stage, which is particularly difficult to finance. Part of our cinematic wealth comes from the diversity of sources of inspiration. Each year, films from the Atlantic, Western, Toronto and Montr al regions take centre stage at home and abroad.
Telefilm encourages audiovisual creation in all regions with great enthusiasm and confidence.
An analysis of project financing reveals that our film industry is largely dependent on public funding, both federal and provincial, and that it makes effective use of international co-production mechanisms. Manon Briand Max Films 2 secondes was honoured with four prizes at the 1998 World Film Festival, including the Telefilm Canada Award for Best Canadian Feature Film, as voted by the public. In compliance with EIP rules, and in addition to their theatrical careers, these films will be aired on television within two years of their completion date. This support is indispensable if Canadian cinema is to flourish. Co-production remains a means of choice for our film industry.