EDMONTON – Pay TV company Super Channel is one of several backers of SuperU.ca, a new online film portal which debuted this week, announcing its 2008-2009 Short Film Contest Series with $750,000 in prize money.
An earlier version of this story identified Super Channel as the owner of the portal. Super U is a separate company which is partially backed by the founders and owners of the pay TV company. Cartt.ca regrets the error.
The first contest opens May 7. "It’s Hilarious" has Canadian comedy icons Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong; comedian Ron James; and Paul Ronca, Comedia Producer, acting as judges. The funniest film will win a cash prize of $10,000, a screening at Just for Laughs Comedia Film Festival, and the chance to be on Super Channel. The second funniest will win $7,500 and the top film picked by Super U members wins $5,000.
“SuperU.ca is a place to tell stories in both official Canadian languages. It’s also a place to learn and improve the craft of telling new stories through film. The ultimate prize is a chance to be broadcast on Super Channel, but we also offer some serious prize money, and of course, the opportunity to boast to all your friends and colleagues,” said Clare Hodge, Super U, content manager, in the press release.
“At Super U, when you watch a film you have a chance to vote for your favourites,” said Hodge. “When filmmakers post a film, we want to make sure they invite all their fans to watch it on SuperU.ca.”
“Super U is a terrific avenue for showcasing Canada’s creativity and talent,” added Justin Rebelo, Super Channel’s director of Canadian programming. “At Super Channel we thought what better way to support Canadian production than to offer a chance for a showcase on Canada’s newest broadcast window.”
