Announced at a ceremony on the opening evening of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Winnipeg-headquartered prodco Frantic Films was named the recipient of the inaugural TV Producer Indiescreen Award.

Headed by CEO and Executive Producer Jamie Brown, Frantic Films has been producing award-winning series for over 25 years, including Still Standing, which is now in its 11th season; Baroness Von Sketch Show; Winnipeg Comedy Festival; and cult classic sci-fi comedy Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, among many others. Frantic Films was awarded a $20,000 cash prize, accepted by company president Stephanie Fast.

Paula Devonshire was named the recipient of the 2025 Feature Film Producer Indiescreen Award. Devonshire’s projects have screened at festivals including Venice, Sundance, and TIFF, including Survival of the Dead (2009), Wet Bum (2014), and Atom Egoyan’s Remember (2015), starring Christopher Plummer. Recently, she has served as an executive producer on Steal Away (2025), Nika & Madison (2025), and Blood Lines (2025), all of which are set to premiere this year at TIFF. Her latest project, Blood Lines (2025), explores Métis identity, culture, and language. Devonshire was awarded a $20,000 cash prize.

Leena Minifie is the recipient of the 2025 Kevin Tierney Emerging Producer Indiescreen Award. The CMPA says the Vancouver-based producer was recognized for her dedication to craft and thoughtful approach, demonstrating a versatility of work to come. Minifie’s project, The Good Canadian (2025), a meticulously researched and artfully crafted documentary, traces the legacy of the Indian Act and systemic dispossession of Indigenous people, set to premiere on APTN later this month. Minifie was awarded a $10,000 cash prize.

The award winners were selected by three national juries. To be eligible, nominees must have acted as a producer on a Canadian feature film or series that premiered in the 2025 calendar year.

“With national pride reaching record levels across the country, we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on Canada’s outstanding producing talent,” said Reynolds Mastin, CMPA President and CEO. “This year’s Indiescreen Awards winners embody the creativity, grit and skill that define what it means to be an independent media producer in Canada today. Congratulations to Paula, Leena, and Frantic Films for their exceptional ability to connect and inspire.”

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The producer, distributor, and licensor of children’s 2D and 3D animated and live-action content, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021, is known for popular series like Backyardigans, Max & Ruby, Franklin and Friends, My Little Pony, and The Hardy Boys. 

A thread on Bluesky social account @ToonHive over the weekend suggested that many crew members had “ended their last productions or are in the midst of closing up shop” as of last Friday.

A Corus spokesperson told Broadcast Dialogue “To confirm, Nelvana is not shutting down,” but said any remaining production activity was completed last week and that “there are no productions underway at this time.”

“It was announced earlier this year that as certain productions were completed, we would be pausing new studio productions for the time being,” the spokesperson continued. “Nelvana continues to operate, focusing on distribution, merchandising, and managing existing properties. As always, we continue to review opportunities and priorities as part of our ongoing business operations.”

In 2024, the studio cut top executive Athena Georgaklis and halted all new project development as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce debt and improve operating efficiencies.

Nelvana has continued to announce new distribution deals over the summer, including a partnership with The Roku Channel to exclusively launch 3D animated preschool series Builder Brothers Dream Factory in the U.S. and deals with ITV in the UK and NOGA in Israel for animated action series Piñata Smashlings.

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Founded in 2020, the Vancouver-based production company specializes in unscripted and scripted series, feature documentaries, and digital content, with its best known titles including Rust Valley Restorers, Backroad Truckers, Yukon Rescue, The Last Captains, and Underdog Inc.

The new international division will be shepherded by René Brar, who takes on an expanded role to become Head of Development & Sales, promoted from Head of Development (Unscripted). He’ll be supported by Sarah McCormack, a London-based distribution executive who has held senior sales roles at the BBC, Flame Distribution and Moonbug Entertainment, and spent time as EVP Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Beyond Rights. 

The prodco says the move into distribution is a strategic expansion, building on the company’s strong track record in unscripted television with its content finding audiences around the world through license agreements with Netflix, Hulu and Discovery Channel.

The distribution arm will also sell scripted projects from Big Time Decent’s new scripted division, Bread & Better Films, and is looking to represent select third-party content that aligns with its brand.

“We’ve always made content with international audiences in mind—but with our company now five years old and having secured a number of hits under our belt, the time feels right to start selling it ourselves and to see where else we can take our IP to help the business grow further,” said Matthew Shewchuk, President of Big Time Decent Productions.

“There’s a real hunger right now for character-driven, unscripted series with heart—and that’s currently what we do best,” added Brar. “We’re excited to introduce our business and our content to the international market and to grow a distribution label that reflects the same creative values as our production company. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity and grateful to have Sarah McCormack by my side offering support and sharing her expertise.”

MIPCOM in Cannes in October will be the new division’s first official international market, joining other Canadian businesses in the Canadian Pavilion. Big Time Decent says its team will be actively looking for third-party content at the industry trade show and has funds set aside for investment in the right properties with the right partners.

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