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The Great Canadian Video Game Competition scores big with nationwide response

As of the December 15 registration deadline, 69 Canadian independent video game developers have submitted applications to vie for up to $2 million in financing and invaluable industry mentorship.

"The response to The Great Canadian Video Game Competition has been fantastic, with applications received from Victoria through to Halifax," says Wayne Clarkson, Telefilm's Executive Director. "We've received lots of positive feedback and support from the industry."

The Competition received 24 submissions from Western Canada, 22 from Ontario, 16 from Quebec and seven from Atlantic Canada.

The Competition offers Canadian independent game developers a unique opportunity to build business expertise, commercialize original game content and take advantage of innovative distribution methods.

Submissions from game developer firms included an "executive summary" and "elevator pitch" of their proposed game project. After review, an industry jury will select 10 companies to attain Round 1 status (Innovation) and receive up to $50,000 each in financial assistance to explore their gaming concepts, develop a visual identity and elaborate a plan to raise initial private-sector investment.

Round 1 winners will be announced January 15.

Industry jury members include: Yannis Mallat, CEO, Ubisoft Montreal; Ron Moravek, Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Electronic Arts Canada; and Kelly Zmak, President, Radical Entertainment (Vivendi Universal Games Canada).

The Great Canadian Video Game Competition takes place in three rounds that mirror traditional industry financing. In March 2007 at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, four of the 10 Round 1 companies will score Round 2 status (Project Development), receiving up to $250,000 each in financing to create a playable prototype. In September, Telefilm will announce the winning company that will reach Round 3 (Commercialization), and receive up to $500,000 in matching funds from Telefilm to support the commercialization of its game.

The Competition is made possible through Telefilm Canada and the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Canada New Media Fund and the sponsorship of industry partners Electronic Arts, Radical Entertainment and Ubisoft.

Competition advisory board members include: Lynda Brown, President, New Media BC; Jason Della Rocca, Executive Director, International Game Developers Association; Rick Griffiths, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; and Victor Lucas, producer and co-host, Electric Playground.

Industry mentors include: Warren Currell, President, CEO, Sherpa Games; Mark Dickenson, Executive Producer, Electronic Arts Canada; Rob Edgar, Manager of Business Development, Union Entertainment; Kirsten Forbes, Producer, Radical Entertainment (Vivendi Universal Games Canada); Clint Hocking, Creative Director, Ubisoft Montreal; Adam Mock, Instructor, Game Design Documentation and Producing/Project Management, George Brown College; Alexandre Parizeau, Producer, Ubisoft Montreal; and Alain Tascan, Vice President and General Manager, Electronic Arts Montreal.

Competition information is available at www.telefilm.ca/game.

Developing and promoting the Canadian audiovisual industry
Telefilm Canada is a federal cultural agency dedicated to the development and promotion of the Canadian audiovisual industry. Telefilm provides financial support to the private sector to create distinctively Canadian productions that appeal to domestic and international audiences. The Corporation also administers the funding programs of the Canadian Television Fund.

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Media inquiries:
Glen Edwards, Competition Media Relations
(604) 561-4640, glen@karyo.net

Douglas Chow, Deputy Director, Strategic Communications, Telefilm Canada
(514) 283-6363 or 1-800-567-0890, chowd@telefilm.ca