We've written about Canada Now from Telefilm Canada since 2016. We love the idea of presenting Canadian film in the United States. The major drawback has been limited showings in a few select cities (New York City, Los Angeles, New Orleans).
We have used over coverage to make Americans more aware of titles in case they have a later opportunity to see the film.
This year, Canada Now is online and available across the United States with CanadaNow.us.
Telefilm Canada is working with Telescope for people to search Canadian films and find a way to watch them online or streaming. Canada Now also involves the Consulate General of New York and the National Film Board of Canada.
The Telescope feature allows people to input film titles, actors, directors, and more. Canada Now offers categories such as new arrivals, Oscar favourites, in the spotlight, and NFB gems. The categories change each month; Canada Now encourages people to sign up for its newsletter.
Our Canada Now coverage over the years: 2020; 2019; 2018; 2017; and 2016.
We don't normally run random quotes from press releases. This one echoed a lovely sentiment from Khawar Nasim, acting consul general, Consulate General of Canada in New York.
"Beyond arthouse cinemas and film festivals, it is often a challenge to locate and watch Canadian film and television projects here in the US. This difficulty was the catalyst for Canada Now to build something new and we couldn't be more thrilled to support it and share!"
Finding Canadian film is a bit easier than what Nasim describes. Finding good Canadian film is closer to his quote.
Telefilm Canada presents the Canadian Movie of the Week
CanadianCrossing.com film reviews
CanadianCrossing.com film coverage
Difficult to do a search if you aren't sure what you are looking for specifically. My search skills are above average with being a journalist. We do have Canadian film reviews and film coverage, good resources for tracking down Canadian film. If you like a Bruce McDonald or Patricia Rozema film, you can search for more films from that director.
This is what Canada Now needed: a wider U.S. audience for Canadian films. We do like the idea of having films in theatres in a few select cities when things are relatively normal. We just want more Americans outside a few select areas to have that access.
There is a similar parallel to Canadians and Canadian films: most significant films will come to a few select cities. Most Canadians (outside Quebec) don't have that opportunity.
Streaming a film can be a lot less expensive than driving to a theatre. Don't lose the theatre-going experience. Just share with as many people as you can.
photo credit: Canada Now/Telefilm Canada
Comments