The Inaugural Canadian International Television Festival Announces Additional Programming and Box Office Opening

Toronto, ON [November 7, 2013] – Canada’s first and only public television festival, the Canadian International Television Festival (CITF), presented by Bell Media and screening at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, is pleased to announce the opening of their box office.  As of noon today, tickets are free (small handling charge applies) and available to the public. Visit www.CITF13.tv for all the details and click on https://tytix.tiff.net/scripts/max/10.17.40.32-39000/maxweb.exe to order tickets.

“David Heath and John Galway of the festival’s Board of Directors said, “We are so happy to be unveiling the next portion of our schedule and to have the box office finally open to the public.”

Additionally, CITF announced the following programming:

Spun Out will have its World Premiere screening at the festival.  The hilarious new CTV half-hour Canadian scripted comedy series Spun Out stars Dave Foley, Rebecca Dalton, Al Mukadam, and Holly Deveaux, all of whom are set to be on hand for the 8 p.m. screening on Saturday, November 16. Spun Out also stars Paul Campbell, Darcy Michael and J.P. Manoux.

FRANCHISES AND FORMATS Screenings and Seminars – The World Premiere of the English adaptation of hit Quebec police drama 19-2 with Executive Producer Jocelyn Deschênes and Writer Bruce Smith, as well as a screening of the original French version (subtitled), (Saturday, November 16 at 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.);  a talk with the producers and talent behind the Degrassi franchise, including actors Aislinn Paul, Munro Chambers, and Luke Bilyk, as well as Sarah Glinski (Executive Producer, Head Writer) and Matt Huether (Co-Executive Producer, Writer); and The Amazing Race Canada, including racers Jet and Dave and Supervising Producer Mark Lysakowski.

Orphan Black binge screening of the first five hours from the first season (Saturday, November 16 at 6 p.m.)

Royal Air Farce 40^th Anniversary Celebration. TV columnist Bill Brioux chats with the current Air Farce cast — Don Ferguson, Luba Goy, Craig Lauzon, Alan Park, Penelope Corrin, and Arnold Pinnock — about making Canadians laugh for the past 40 years, and continuing to entertain in record numbers on their annual New Year’s Eve specials. (Saturday, November 16 at 2 p.m.).

The Best of bravoFACT, hosted by Richard Crouse. CITF celebrates short form films with a screening of 10 best bravoFACT-funded shorts including Winter Garden, an official selection at this year’s TIFF ‘Stage to Screen’ series, starring Enrico Colantoni. (Saturday, November 16 at 4 p.m.)

Bitten cast members Greg Bryk, Joel Keller, Michael Xavier, Paulino Nunes, and Steve Lund are on hand with a sneak peek and discussion of their hotly anticipated new series, hosted by INNERSPACE’s Ajay Fry and Morgan Hoffman (Saturday, November 16 at 10 p.m.).

Bill Brioux’s TV on Film Project – TV columnist Bill Brioux presents a fascinating look at TV’s past. He screens and discusses NBC’s “Fall Preview” reel from 1966 which features guests introducing NBC’s new fall lineup which includes “The Monkees,” “Tarzan,” “The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.” and a crazy little sci-fi series called “Star Trek.” Bill then screens a network print of a comedy series from the same season, complete with the commercials you would have seen the night it first aired. (Sunday, November 17 at 1 p.m.)

About the Canadian International Television Festival:

The CITF is a new, non-profit social enterprise and the first television showcase festival in Canada. It will provide a familiar platform for the public, journalists, broadcasting students, advertisers, and the TV industry to celebrate new and returning English and French-language Canadian series, as well as selected programming from around the world.  The festival will offer several different screening events for audiences, including a “catch-up binge-viewing” of a top drama series; the world and Canadian premieres of major network programs and web series; and the reunion of the cast of a past hit show.” CITF is generously supported by the Canada Media Fund (CMF), the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), and by Presenting Sponsor, Bell Media.

For additional information, contact:

Mario Tassone                                      Susan Zuzinjak

Publicist                                               Smitten Creative Boutique

416-889-6993                                         416-782-2300, ext 201

mariotass@gmail.com                           susan@smittencreative.com