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Actor Craig Arnold stars in the drama feature film Wet Bum, making its world premiere during the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival

Toronto, ON – August 20, 2014

Craig-Arnold-PictureActor Craig Arnold stars in the Canadian drama feature film Wet Bum, making its world premiere during the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, September 7, 2014 at the Isabel Bader Theatre (93 Charles Street).

Written and directed by Lindsay MacKay, Wet Bum shares the story of an awkward teenage outcast named Sam (2014 TIFF Rising Star Julia Sarah Stone) as she develops unlikely friendships with two residents at the retirement home run by her mother. Playing Lukas, Craig’s character is an enticing young man who begins a relationship with Sam that quickly turns dangerous.

“Toronto comes to life during TIFF; it’s an incredible honour to be a part of the festival for the second time with Wet Bum,” says Craig Arnold. “I can’t wait to celebrate the premiere with the best and brightest of Canadian and international film this time around.”

In 2012 Craig made his feature film debut during the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of Blackbird, the story of an alienated teenager whose online threat ignites a firestorm of fear in a small community.

Widely recognized for his role on Emmy nominated television series Degrassi: The Next Generation as Luke Baker, Craig’s character is athletic, handsome, and above all, a devout Christian whose teenage urges often get the better of him, despite his attempts to remain dedicated to his faith.

Craig’s work can also be seen in CTV’s Spun Out and Played, Global’s Bomb Girls and The Firm, CBC’s Heartland, Showcase’s Lost Girl and King, and Syfy’s Haven.

For more information visit:
www.imdb.com/name/nm3928595/

Follow Craig Arnold on Twitter:
@thecraigarnold

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Available for Interviews:
Craig Arnold

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Amira de Vera [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

 

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Actor Mark O’Brien gears up for the sixth and final season of CBC’s award winning series Republic of Doyle, airing this October 2014

Toronto, ON – August 8, 2014

img-MarkOBrienActor and filmmaker Mark O’Brien is set to reprise his fan favourite role as Des Courtney during the sixth and final season of CBC’s Republic of Doyle. Audiences will also get a taste of Mark’s directorial side once again when he directs the second episode of the new season airing October 2014.

Debuting in 2010, Republic of Doyle is an award winning comedy-drama series set in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The show follows private investigator and former police officer Jake Doyle (Allan Hawco) and his father Malachy Doyle (Seán McGinley) whose cases find them involved in all sorts of dealings – not all of them on the right side of the law.

Mark’s character, Des Courtney, is a young Private Investigator, going from a delinquent to a valued member of Doyle & Doyle Investigations, specializing in the technological side of things.

Mark can be recognized for his roles on several hit series including NBC’s Hannibal, where he played a recurring role as Randall Tier, a psychotic serial killer. He has also been featured on episodes of CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries and Syfy’s Warehouse 13. In 2010, Mark starred in the Sundance Film Festival selection Grown Up Movie Star alongside Orphan Black’s, Tatiana Maslany.

Recently, Mark produced and starred in DENNIS, a short psychological thriller inspired by true events. Hitchhiking the Irish Loop of Newfoundland in the summer of 2010, director Nicole Dorsey learned of a series of unsolved kidnappings and murders that occurred through the 1980s. In this short she follows the story of Dennis, played by Mark, capturing his developing psychosis. DENNIS leaves viewers privy to an unsolved case and the possible reasoning for its occurrence.

Mark’s directorial credits can be seen in select episodes of Republic of Doyle, as well as nine short films including Better People, which showcased in 10 film festivals across Canada and the United States, and Sweetieface, seen in film festivals all across the country. Both films received critical acclaim, winning multiple awards including Best Short Film at the 2013 and 2014 WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival. Mark currently has the three features in post-production including The End of Days at Godfrey Global Inventory, Len & Company and The Dark Stranger.

When he’s not busy acting and filmmaking, Mark enjoys reading and playing hockey. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Memorial University.

For more information visit:
www.imdb.com/name/nm1975628

Like Mark O’Brien on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/markobrienfanpage

Follow Mark O’Brien on Twitter:
@markobrienNL

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Available for Interviews:
Mark O’Brien

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

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Toronto Chiropractor and healthy living advocate Dr. Alexander Yu is saving lives, one desk-job at a time

Toronto, ON – August 8, 2014

New-Photo-Revised-1Tired of hearing news about declining quality of life in the city due to issues like traffic congestion, stress, and sitting at a desk all day, Dr. Yu decided to do something about it.

“Recent studies are being plastered all over the news telling us that even sitting for 6 hours a day is detrimental to our health, and I’m determined to change that,” says Dr. Yu, adding that “even little things like managing our posture, eating foods that are equal parts healthy and delicious, and even sneaking in some covert stretches and exercises while sitting at your desk can do a lot to improve your health, boost your mood, and drastically increase your quality of life!”

Dr. Yu is championing this mission by mainstreaming a new approach to healthcare, using social media to make healthcare dialogue easily accessible and more enjoyable. Founding thechirojunkie.com, Dr. Yu gives a fresh and relatable voice to healthcare that gets people excited about healthy living. This site features informative vlogs, with innovative healthy recipes, and no nonsense answers to commonly asked questions about general health and Chiropractic care.

Making healthier life choices can be difficult to commit to, so Dr. Yu suggests using wearable tech fitness tools to track personal goals, and encourages people to share their progress with friends to keep you motivated.

Working out of Royal Care Rehab (295 College Street), Dr. Alexander Yu motivates his clients to take preventative measures to avoid health issues and injury later in life.

Dr. Alexander Yu got his first taste of fitness at age 14 when practicing martial arts, followed by weight training from the age of 16. These days Dr. Yu runs, rock-climbs, cycles, practices hot yoga and even hosts free community boot camps.

Understanding the importance of giving back, Dr. Alexander Yu works to improve the lives of others through his job and personal life. In 2011 he cycled across Canada to promote health and wellness to youth groups at the Boys and Girls Club and YMCA day camps. In addition, Dr. Alexander Yu has spent time volunteering with orphaned children and teaching English in Dominican Republic, as well as providing on-site treatment to cyclists in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

For more on Dr. Alexander Yu visit:
www.thechirojunkie.com

Like Dr. Alexander Yu on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/Thechirojunkie

Follow Dr. Alexander Yu on Twitter:
@thechirojunkie

Available for Interviews:
Dr. Alexander Yu

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

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EIF CANADA AND CANADIAN BROADCASTERS UNITE WITH THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY FOUNDATION FOR UNPRECEDENTED STAND UP TO CANCER SIMULTANEOUS SPECIAL

The Entertainment Community Teams with Broadcasters for Major Fundraising Telecast Friday, September 5, 2014

Funds Raised to Finance New Canadian Dream Teams for Cancer Research, and Awareness and Education in Canada

Stand Up To Cancer Canada’s Distinctive Research Model Designed
to Bring Research Innovations to Patients Sooner

Public Will Have Opportunity to Support

Through the September 5th Telecast and Beyond

SU2C Canada Pursuing Collaborations with Canadian Health Charities, Government-Funded Organizations and Corporations; World-Renowned Researchers Will Lead Scientific Advisory Committee for SU2C Canada

SU2CC-Logo3TORONTO – August 8, 2014 – All four of Canada’s English language network broadcasters today announced an unprecedented collaboration, unveiling plans to simultaneously air, for the first time ever, a Canadian-inclusive Stand Up To Cancer special this September. CBC, City, CTV and Global will join ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and dozens of U.S. cable channels simultaneously airing a star-studded special from Hollywood, and for the first time, Toronto. The live, one-hour fundraising event, which draws on the entertainment community to rally the public around ending cancer’s reign as a leading cause of death, will air commercial-free simultaneously Friday, September 5 at 8 pm ET/PT.

The 2014 SU2C telecast will be the first of its kind for Canada. Similar specials have aired in 2008, 2010 and 2012 under the aegis of the U.S.-based SU2C program, part of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a U.S. 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which utilizes the industry’s resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, and to increase awareness about progress being made in the fight against the disease.

EIF Canada, a Canadian registered charity, was created to utilize the entertainment industry’s resources via Stand Up To Cancer Canada (SU2C Canada) to engage the Canadian public, health charities, government-funded agencies and corporations in these efforts. EIF Canada’s charitable registration number is 80550 6730 RR0001.

“Everyone in our country has been touched by cancer in some way, shape or form. Our hope is that, through this one hour of television, we can inspire viewers to make a true difference in the effort to help more cancer patients become survivors,” said David Purdy, SVP, Product Management Video & Content, Rogers and EIF Canada Board Member.

Two out of five Canadians are expected to develop cancer in their lifetimes. Every hour of every day, an estimated 22 Canadians will be diagnosed with some type of cancer, and nine people will die from the disease. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada.

“As broadcasters, we have a responsibility to use the power of television to effect change so we jumped at the opportunity to come together with our colleagues for this incredibly worthy cause. This dynamic hour of television is an important step in the fight to beat a disease that has touched so many Canadians,” said Phil Piazza, Vice President, Content Acquisitions and Global TV Programming and EIF Canada Board Member.

“CTV is honoured to be a broadcast partner in this landmark Canadian initiative,” said Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks and EIF Canada Board Member. “Together with our Network partners we can showcase the incredible progress being made today in cancer research, and hopefully raise funds to fuel even more ground-breaking progress right here in Canada.”

All funds received from the Canadian general public during the broadcast will be directed towards the creation of collaborative research teams, as well as education and awareness programs conducted in Canada. Several major Canadian organizations plan to collaborate with SU2C Canada on research and awareness efforts.

Organizations pursuing potential collaborations with the SU2C Canada initiative include the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, with funding from CIBC; the Canadian Cancer Society; the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium, with funding from Genome Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. MasterCard and AstraZeneca Canada are the first Canadian corporate supporters of SU2C Canada. Talks with other companies, prospective non-profit partners and philanthropists in Canada are also underway.

“CBC is privileged to participate in an event that encourages our country to band together to fight this disease, which affects so many Canadians,” said Sally Catto, General Manager of Programming, CBC Television. “We are inspired by the opportunity to join forces with the Canadian entertainment industry to send a message of hope.”

The telecast will feature cutaways to a live event in Toronto attended by film stars participating in the Toronto International Film Festival; executives and on-air talent from the Canadian broadcasters; and leaders from health charities, government-funded organizations and corporations.

Stand Up To Cancer builds broad support for cancer prevention and groundbreaking “translational” research, accelerating the pace at which new therapies get to patients, bringing together scientists from different disciplines and institutions to collaborate on Dream Teams. More than $260 million has been pledged to the U.S.-based SU2C initiative since it was founded in the United States in 2008. SU2C U.S. currently supports 12 Dream Teams with members in six countries, including more than 30 Canadian investigators. In connection with the U.S. SU2C telecasts, $100 million was pledged in 2008, $80 million in 2010, and $81 million in 2012.

“We are delighted that the major Canadian broadcasters are uniting to launch Stand Up To Cancer Canada and will be co-broadcasting for Canadian viewers. Funds raised from the Canadian public through the show, as well as those we’re working to secure from collaborations with some of Canada’s leading research funding and advocacy groups, will go to support SU2C Canada Dream Teams. That, in turn, will benefit cancer patients throughout Canada and elsewhere, helping deliver promising new treatments quickly,” said Lisa Paulsen, EIF Canada Board Member and President & CEO of The Entertainment Industry Foundation.

“For the breast cancer community – raising awareness, working in teams, and supporting the best research – it’s all about standing up to breast cancer,” says Sandra Palmaro, Co-CEO, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. “With continued support and commitment from CIBC, we are very excited for the opportunity to accelerate breast cancer research and improve outcomes for women and men who have experienced breast cancer.”

“Cancer patients are fighting for their lives. Every moment, every day, every week counts,” said Pamela Fralick, president and CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society. “What we want is better answers, faster. The SU2C model is one way of speeding up the clock on research and finding solutions. That really resonates with the average Canadian or American contending with cancer or helping a loved one who is dealing with it.”

“All of the Canadian organizations that are pursuing collaborations with SU2C Canada are bound by a common goal to make a difference in the fight against cancer. I believe that working as a truly integrated research effort, we can spur more innovation that will provide added benefit to Canadian patients soon,” said Dr. Tom Hudson, President and Scientific Director of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR).

“Canadian cancer researchers are world-leading in this complex field and have made significant scientific contributions resulting in improved outcomes for cancer patients. We hope to forge a new collaboration that will build on past investments and expedite health solutions for Canadians and others affected by cancer worldwide,” said Dr. Pierre Meulien, Chair of the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium and President and CEO of Genome Canada.

“As the leading cause of death among Canadians, cancer has touched all of us in some way,” said Dr. Alain Beaudet, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment to supporting health research projects that will help prevent cancer, reduce cancer-related deaths and improve the lives of patients living with this disease.”

Serving as executive producers of the September 5th telecast are Emmy® Award-winning producer Joel Gallen, president of Tenth Planet Productions, and Oscar®-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Gallen and Paltrow will be joined by the in-house Production Team for the U.S.-based SU2C initiative in planning the show’s content.

Illustrating the remarkable progress being made by SU2C research through profiles of patients who’ve benefitted from it is a defining feature of the telecast. Plans for this year’s show will include the story of a Canadian patient currently benefitting from one of the U.S.-based SU2C program’s clinical trials.

The Canadian Cancer Society will work with SU2C Canada on developing content, including statistics about cancer’s impact in this country, that will scroll on the “lower third” of the screen for the broadcast. The lower third will also show a Canada-specific toll-free phone number and web address for donations, and information about Canadian scientists currently funded on Dream Teams in the existing U.S.-based program and SU2C-funded research underway at institutions including the BC Cancer Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, McMaster University and the University of British Columbia.

A call for ideas for research proposals will be issued by SU2C Canada after the telecast. The proposals will be reviewed by the SU2C Canada Scientific Advisory Committee, which will be composed of leading researchers and co-chaired by Alan Bernstein, O.C., Ph.D., FRSC, President and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), and Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT.

“I am very pleased to join Dr. Sharp to put together an outstanding team of cancer experts that will help launch in Canada a collaborative approach to cancer research with an emphasis on working across institutional lines to deliver new treatments and prevention paradigms in an accelerated timeframe,” said Bernstein.

“Cancer is an extremely difficult and complex problem. The Dream Team approach, in which outstanding researchers work together in a collaborative manner, is our best opportunity to move promising treatments from ‘bench to beside’ as quickly as possible and benefit the patients who need them so desperately,” said Sharp.

Dream Team Concept and Successes of the US-Based SU2C Initiative

A distinctive feature of SU2C-funded research is the “Dream Team” concept, in which researchers from different universities or other institutions come together to share resources and data and work collaboratively to develop new and innovative therapies for cancer.

The U.S.-based SU2C program has launched 12 Dream Teams, two smaller Translational Research Teams and awarded 26 Innovative Research Grants to early-career investigators conducting high-risk, potentially high-reward research. More than 750 researchers are involved overall, working at 112 institutions in six countries, including Canada. Over 140 clinical trials have been planned, initiated or launched involving more than 5,000 patients.

Researchers supported by the U.S.-based SU2C program are investigating a wide variety of new approaches to various malignancies, including cancers of the breast, ovary, endometrium, lung, prostate, pancreas, and colon; metastatic melanoma; childhood cancers including leukemia and lymphoma; and cancers resulting from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, among other forms of cancer.

Projects supported by the U.S.-based SU2C initiative have led to approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a new combination treatment for pancreatic cancer, as well as FDA “breakthrough therapy” designation – intended to expedite development of especially promising medicines – for a new breast cancer drug.

# # #

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages. For more information, visit CBC.ca.

About City

City™ television stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Saskatchewan offer viewers intensely-local, urban-oriented, culturally-diverse television programming. A distinct alternative to other conventional television stations, City engages its viewers with dynamic on-air personalities and delivers an entertaining mix of news, local-interactive formats such as: Breakfast Television and Cityline; as well as local Canadian and US acquired prime time entertainment programming. City is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited, a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For more information on City stations and programming, visit Citytv.com.

About CTV

CTV is Canada’s #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada’s most-watched television network for the past 13 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital, and Out-of-Home. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network’s website at CTV.ca.

About Global

Shaw is a diversified communications and media company, providing consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.2 million customers, through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global Television, and 19 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY® and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX – SJR.B, NYSE – SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca

About Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) is the leading community-driven organization in Canada dedicated to creating a future without breast cancer. Its investments in innovative and relevant research and education have led to progress in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Since 1986, CBCF has been at the forefront of a nationwide movement supporting and advocating for the breast cancer community. For more information, visit www.cbcf.org.

About the Canadian Cancer Society

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. The Society provides cancer information, prevention and support programs, advocates for healthier public policy and funds impactful research. Thanks to our donors and volunteers, the Society has the most impact, against the most cancers, in the most communities in Canada. Building on our progress, we are working with Canadians to change cancer forever. For more information, visit www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333 (TTY 1-866-786-3934).‎

About the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium

The Cancer Stem Cell Consortium (CSCC) is a not-for-profit corporation that was incorporated in 2007 to coordinate an international strategy for cancer stem cell research and related translational activities. Current Consortium members include: Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Genome Canada, Michael Smith Foundation for Medical Research, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) and the Stem Cell Network.

About the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada’s health research investment agency. CIHR’s mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened health care system for Canadians. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 13,200 health researchers and trainees across Canada. www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca

About Genome Canada

Genome Canada is a catalyst for developing and applying genomics and genomic-based technologies that create economic and social benefit for Canadians. Genome Canada: connects ideas and people across public and private sectors to find new uses for genomics; invests in large-scale science and technology to fuel innovation; and, translate discoveries into applications, new technologies, societal impacts and solutions across key sectors of national importance, including health, agriculture, forestry, fisheries & aquaculture, energy, mining, and the environment. For more information, visit www.genomecanada.ca.

About Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

OICR is an innovative cancer research and development institute dedicated to prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Institute is an independent, not-for-profit corporation, supported by the Government of Ontario. OICR supports more than 1,600 investigators, clinician scientists, research staff and trainees located at its headquarters and in research institutes and academia across the Province of Ontario. OICR has key research efforts underway in small molecules, biologics, stem cells, imaging, genomics, informatics and bio-computing. For more information, please visit the website at www.oicr.on.ca.

About MasterCard

MasterCard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. The company operates the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow on Twitter @MasterCardCAnws, or join the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. The company’s Canadian headquarters are located in Mississauga, Ontario.

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About the U.S.-Based Stand Up To Cancer Initiative

Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. The U.S.-based SU2C program, part of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was established in 2008 by film and media leaders who utilize the industry’s resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, and to increase awareness about progress being made in the fight against the disease. As SU2C’s Scientific Partner, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and a Scientific Advisory Committee led by Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., Institute Professor at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, conduct rigorous, competitive review processes to identify the best research proposals to recommend for funding, oversee grants administration, and provide expert review of research progress.

About the Entertainment Industry Foundation

Stand Up To Cancer is a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that serves as the collective philanthropy for the television and film businesses. EIF has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars to support programs addressing critical health, education and social issues. For more information, visit www.eifoundation.org.

About EIF Canada / Stand Up To Cancer Canada

EIF Canada, a Canadian registered charity (Reg. # 80550 6730 RR0001), founded by the U.S.-based Entertainment Industry Foundation, was established to conduct charitable programs in Canada addressing health and other issues. Stand Up To Cancer Canada (SU2C Canada) is a program of EIF Canada that raises funds to support collaborative research teams, as well as education and awareness programs conducted in Canada.

For more information, please visit www.standup2cancer.ca.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Pennant Media Group Ltd.
Kevin Pennant – [email protected]
Amira de Vera – [email protected]
416-596-2978

Stand Up To Cancer Canada
Jane Rubinstein – [email protected]
516-993-0708

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Actor Drew Nelson is featured in Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated horror series The Strain, airing Sunday at 10 PM ET/PT on FX and FX Canada

Toronto, ON – August 8, 2014

DN-ImageActor Drew Nelson is featured in a recurring role in Academy Award Nominee Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated horror series The Strain, airing Sunday at 10 PM ET/PT on FX and FX Canada.

Based on the best-selling novel trilogy co-written by Guillermo del Toro and author Chuck Hogan, the series is Executive Produced and Showrun by Emmy Award-Winner, Carlton Cuse (Lost, Bates Motel).

The Strain is a thriller that tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (played by House of CardsCorey Stoll), the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team, and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers, wage war for the fate of humanity itself.

Drew’s character Matt Sayles is the new live-in boyfriend of Eph’s estranged wife Kelly, played by Natalie Brown, and emerging father figure to their son Zach.

Recently, Drew completed production on the Canadian feature film Man Vs., starring alongside Three StoogesChris Diamantopoulos. Set to be released in 2014, Man Vs. follows a TV crew who is dropped off in the remote wilderness and forced to fight more than the elements.

Other television credits include the series Suits, Supernatural, Smallville, Flashpoint, Rookie Blue, Lost Girl, and Fringe. He has also become a fan favourite on the Cartoon Network’s Total Drama Island as the voice of the likeable bad-boy Duncan.

In addition Drew has a number of his own projects in development as a writer/producer, including the urban fantasy feature Lost Ones, and an untitled feature thriller which is being produced alongside Lab Films, the team behind IFC’s In Their Skin.

Understanding the importance of giving back, Drew volunteers his time with Story Planet, a non-profit organization that offers free workshops to support children and youth in becoming creative and effective communicators. In addition, Drew fully supports The Remix Project, a program in support of youth from underserved communities who are looking to get into creative industries or further their education.

When he’s not acting or working on his own films, Drew enjoys music, photography, graffiti and street art, urban exploring, and sports like ping pong, golf and basketball.

For more information visit:
www.imdb.com/name/nm0625334/

Like Drew Nelson on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/OfficialDrewNelson

Follow Drew Nelson on Twitter:
@drewnelsonlive

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Available for Interviews:
Drew Nelson

Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

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Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival 2014 brings the world’s leading South Asian cinema and talent to Mississauga this August 7-10, 2014

Toronto, ON – August 7, 2014

MISAFF14-PosterThe 2014 Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF14) is bringing the best of South Asian cinema and talent to Mississauga, Ontario this August 7-10, 2014 during the Mosaic festival.

Taking place at Square One’s Landmark Cinemas (100 City Centre Drive) MISAFF14 provides a platform for independent, diverse, conscientious South Asian cinema in long and short form, fiction and documentary. Mississauga will be the hub for interaction and engagement for an audience that loves cinema irrespective of language or culture. To view the full schedule, visit: www.misaff.com/festival-schedule.

Recently announced, renowned actor, writer and director Rajat Kapoor will be in attendance during MISAFF14’s Opening Night Red Carpet Gala for the premiere of his film Ankhon Dekhi (SEEING IS BELIEVING) on August 7, 2014 at 7 PM.

As leading actor on stage and screen, Rajat Kapoor is an adept script-writer and director of films which he also plays a key role in. He can be recognized for his work in Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding, Deepa Mehta’s Midnight’s Children, and as a host of numerous mainstream and independent Indian films.

In addition, actor Ravi Patel will attend MISAFF14’s Closing Night program on August 10, 2014 at 3 PM for Meet the Patels, his first ever documentary film. Ravi is most recognized for his acting work on Scrubs, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Transformers, Powder Blue, and The New Normal. In 2013, he co-founded This Bar Saves Lives, providing a packet of life-saving food to a child in need for every granola bar they sell.

On August 8, 2014 at 9 PM, MISAFF14 presents a special screening of Palestinian film Omar by Hani-Abu Assad. Winner of Cannes Film Festival’s Jury Prize and Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Language film, Omar screened at TIFF in 2013 to great critical acclaim. MISAFF14 presents this film in anticipation for its 2015 programming that will include North Africa, Middle Eastern, Turkish and Iranian cinema.

On August 9, 2014 at 7 PM, MISAFF14 features Indian film Writers (Sulemani Keeda), a hilarious Hindi film about two screenwriters desperately trying for success with women and Bollywood, but miserably failing on all fronts.

MISAFF14 will share the incredible story of Noor on August 9, 2014 at 5 PM. Noor is the story of a eunuch who steals a truck a fights his way across northern Pakistan in search of his one true love, sure to win hearts during this year’s festival. Co-presented with ASAAP, this film will draw cinephile attention for its incredible landscapes and unforgettable cinematography.

On August 9, 2014 at 9:15 PM, the critically acclaimed Pakistani film Anima State by Hammad Khan will make its Canadian Debut during MISAFF14, preceded by Iram Parveen Bilal’s short film world premiere of Dho Dala (The Sin Washer).

Critically acclaimed films Tomorrow We Disappear, screening August 8, 2014 at 7 PM, and The Secret Trial 5, showing on August 10, 2014 at 12:30 PM, are co-presented with Hot Docs. These incredible documentaries will have both directors in attendance – a very special treat for Mississauga.

Featuring films in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Marathi, Pushto, Bengali, Gujarati, Tamil, Kashmiri and Sindhi languages, for four days MISAFF14 attracts a slew of filmmakers and film enthusiasts followed by many more incredible artists for the Mosaic outdoor festival.

This year, Canadian Actor Raymond Ablack who starred in the hit show Degrassi: The Next Generation, will be celebrated as the MISAFF 2014 Star. In addition, Canadian Actor Vinay Virmani, best known for his role in the feature film Breakaway and his latest film Dr. Cabbie, will be the celebrity guest at MISAFF Chats on August 10, 2014 at 2 PM.

Presented by TD Canada Trust and the Canadian Community Arts Initiative (CCAI), Mosaic is a premiere South Asian multidisciplinary arts festival. Celebrating its ninth year, the festival will take place in Mississauga’s city centre from August 7-16, 2014.

Drawing in crowds of close to 70,000 people, Mosaic offers the best in contemporary, folk and classical South Asian art and culture with high-energy and skillful performances showcasing international superstars of South Asian origin.

For more information visit:
www.misaff.com
www.communityart.ca

Like MISAFF and Mosaic on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/mosaicfilmfest
www.facebook.com/Mosaic.Mississauga

Follow MISAFF and Mosaic on Twitter:
@mosaic_misaff
@mosaic_festival

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Available for Interviews:
Arshad Khan, MISAFF Festival Director
Anya McKenzie, MISAFF Festival Co-Director
Talent Available Upon Request

 

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant
[email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

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In The News

Canada’s leading contemporary art gallery The Power Plant presents Power Ball: Old/New World, Toronto’s most anticipated annual art party, on Thursday, June 5, 2014

Toronto, ON – April 23, 2014

 

Power-Ball1Canada’s leading contemporary art gallery The Power Plant (231 Queens Quay West) presents Power Ball: Old/New World on Thursday, June 5, 2014, raising vital funds for its exhibitions and public programs throughout the year.

This year’s Power Ball theme “Old/New World” pays tribute to the revolutionary time when digital technology developed from an analogue world, transforming everything from music, art, fashion and food. The event will celebrate the best of the old and new world with outstanding work by local and international artists that will surround partygoers with playful and spectacular environments. For ticket information visit: http://bit.ly/1jbUja4.

Setting the standard as the most influential, vibrant and original contemporary art party since its inception in 1999, Power Ball has grown to become the gallery’s largest annual fundraiser, attracting a crowd 1,500 guests including artists, fashionistas, celebrities, and financers from creative industries.

“When you attend Power Ball, you join a family of Power Plant supporters,” says Director of The Power Plant Gaëtane Verna. Power Ball is the largest annual fundraising event for The Power Plant. It is the engine that supports the exhibitions and public programming the gallery offers all year. I thank all sponsors of this year’s event and our invaluable co-chairs Aris Andrulakis, Laurent Fort, Philippe Meyersohn and Georgia Scherman, who are supported by our hard-working committee. We are truly grateful to everyone, and we look forward to celebrating the power of the arts with you.”

The early portion of the evening from 7-9 PM is for Lounge ticket holders only and will feature a private performance by award-winning English British artist Naomi Kashiwagi. During the multi-disciplinary performance entitled Gramophinca, guests will be wowed by live gramophone glitching as Kashiwagi plays 78rpm records re-appropriated on a wind-up gramophone, demonstrating the potential to transform sounds from one era to another.

Rising international star Jon Rafman is an award-winning Montréal artist who will premiere new work at Power Ball that blurs the distinction between virtual and physical realities. Furthermore, the evening will also feature an installation of B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Beamer), a one-night exhibition that hosts a number of artists and their projectors; New York-based artist duo CONFETTISYSTEM who will create a site-specific installation in line with their extraordinary set designs; work by artist Christine Davis, who has exhibited extensively across the globe with work that addresses the contemporary in relation to critical junctures within modernity; and Oli Sorenson, a multi-media and performance artist who promotes the practices of sampling and sharing.

About The Power Plant

Power-Plant-LogoThe Power Plant is Canada’s leading public gallery devoted exclusively to contemporary visual art. It is a vital forum for the advanced artistic culture of our time that offers an exceptional facility and professional support to diverse living artists while engaging equally diverse audiences in their work. The Power Plant pursues its activities though exhibitions, publications and public programming. It fulfills its mandate by generating: exhibitions that represent the range of advanced practice in visual arts; publications that increase knowledge of contemporary art; lectures and symposia that encourage debate and further understanding; interpretative tools that invite visitors to question, explore and reflect upon their experiences; programming that incorporates other areas of culture when they intersect with visual art.

 

For more information about exhibitions and public programs at The Power Plant, please contact:

Robin Boyko
Head of Marketing & Communications
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
416-973-4927
[email protected]

For more information visit:
www.thepowerplant.org

Like The Power Plant on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/ThePowerPlantTO

Follow The Power Plant on Twitter:
@ThePowerPlantTO

Join the conversation about Power Ball:
#PowerBallTO

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Available for Interviews:
Gaëtane Verna
Select participating artists

For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Amira de Vera [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978

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The 2014 Bonham Centre Awards Gala celebrates Power of the Word on April 24, 2014, honouring authors and writers who have contributed to the public understanding of sexual diversity in Canada

Toronto, ON – March 19, 2014

Bonham-CentreThe 2014 Bonham Centre Awards Gala (BCAG) will celebrate Power of the Word for noted authors and writers on April 24, 2014 at 6:00 PM at the University of Toronto’s Hart House (7 Hart House Circle), honouring those who have made distinguished contributions to the public understanding of sexual diversity in Canada. Tickets for the event are now on sale at www.uc.utoronto.ca/bcag14

The evening’s master of ceremonies is Toronto-based journalist and television personality, Global Television’s Liem Vu.

The 2014 BCAG will honour three distinguished writers in the genre of sexual diversity including Edmund White, Patricia Nell-Warren, and Shyam Selvadurai. In addition, the IBM Youth Award will be given to Waawaate Fobister.

Established in 2008, The Bonham Centre Awards recognizes an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to the advancement and education of human rights issues surrounding sexual education.

Past recipients include founder of the It Gets Better campaign Dan Savage, former Canadian politician and diplomat Stephen Lewis, Gay Straight Alliance Bent on Change, Oscar-winning screenwriters and LGBT rights activist Dustin Lance Black, Degrassi television series co-creator and executive producer Linda Schuyler, filmmaker John Greyson, lawyer Barbara Findlay, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and renowned sexual educator and counsellor Sue Johanson.

About the 2014 Bonham Centre Awards Gala Recipients

Edumund White
An American writer of novels, memoirs and essays on literary and social topics, drawing on gay love and his own gay experience. White has been influential as a critic on same-sex love and sexuality.

Patricia Nell-Warren
An author of gay literature and a distinguished investigative journalist and columnist, her subjects range from youth, human rights, gay and lesbian life, and mixed-blood people to sports, current events, and more.

Shyam Selvadurai
A Sri Lankan Canadian novelist born in Colombo, Sri Lanka to a Sinhalese mother and a Tamil father – members of conflicting ethnic groups whose troubles form a major theme in his work. Author of Funny Boy, he received the Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Male Novel, and Smithbooks/Books in Canada First Novel Award for 1994.

Waawaate Fobister
A First Nations Playwright who in 2009 won six Dora Awards for his production of Agokwe, a one-man play which he wrote and starred in.

Located at University College at the University of Toronto, the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies offers an undergraduate program, a collaborative graduate program (MA and Ph.D.), hosts academic and community events, and promotes research into sexuality. It is a hub for forging connections among faculty, undergraduates, graduate students, and community members interested in questions about how we understand sexual diversity and sexual practices.

For more information visit:
www.uc.utoronto.ca/sexualdiversity

Follow the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies on Twitter:
@BonhamCentreSDS

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Available for Interviews:
Mark S. Bonham
Brenda Cossman, Director, Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies
Edmund White, Writer
Patricia Nell-Warren, Writer
Shyam Selvadurai, Writer

Presenting Sponsor

Youth Award Sponsor

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In The News

TVO encourages Ontario kids to keep on giving during season two of the award-winning series Giver

Toronto, ON – March 12, 2014

Giver-300x115Following the highly successful first season, TVO and Sinking Ship Entertainment continue to encourage Ontario kids to give back to their communities during the second season of Giver, airing Wednesdays at 6:30 pm beginning April 30, repeated Saturdays at 2 pm.

Co-produced by TVO and Sinking Ship Entertainment, Giver is a live-action TV series that inspires children across the province to get involved and contribute to the places they live, reclaiming and enhancing local playground spaces in parks all across Ontario.

In partnership with the Ontario Parks Association, TVO and Sinking Ship Entertainment put a call out to communities across the province to find those in need of a new or improved playground for local kids. During each of the 10 episodes in season two, a group of kids aged 6-12 come together to volunteer their time with host Michael Lagimodiere and the enthusiastic Giver team to build a playground in their community. With a deadline of only three days to bring their vision to life, they must decide on the playground’s theme, find out what their community wants, and how they will build it.

Generating an overwhelming response from community members who eagerly participated in season one, the second season is no different; kids, families, volunteers, and local business all play a pivotal role in making the re-imagined park happen for their neighbourhood. During season two, the team takes on even bigger builds. For the first time in Giver history, the team rebuilds a school playground with help from 375 students, as well as a playground at The Bob Rumball Camp for the Deaf in Parry Sound.

Spanning across the province, the Ontario communities featured in season two are Toronto, Sarnia, Thunder Bay, Parry Sound, Niagara Falls, Linwood, Scarborough, Port Hope, Waubaushene, and Monkton.

Giver exemplifies TVO’s commitment to building citizen engagement, and provides a great platform for kids to see how their good intentions combined with hard work can benefit an entire community,” says Patricia Ellingson, TVO’s Creative Head of Children’s and Parents’ Media. “Watching these kids take a playground that’s falling apart or non-existent, and create a space designed to bring families together is nothing short of amazing and inspiring.

“There’s simply no show like Giver,” says J.J. Johnson, series creator and partner at Sinking Ship Entertainment. “In just three days, six local kids are able to inspire a community to transform an underused space into something that everyone can benefit from. Giver tangibly shows kids that anything is possible when a community pulls together for a common goal. Let’s Giver!”

Extending the Giver experience is www.giver-tv.com, which is bigger and better with fresh games and activities, such as Playground Paradise, where kids and parents build and maintain their own playground; and Giver Get Building, in which kids and parents can build park equipment with virtual tools and materials. Also new are video updates on parks from the first season of Giver. Kids can also download plans and drawings to start their own projects, and explore before-and-after photos of all the parks.

Giver was a recipient of the 2013 Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence for “Best Television Program, All Genres, Ages 6-8.” In addition, Giver was nominated for “Best Children’s or Youth Non-Fiction Program or Series” at the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards.

About Sinking Ship Entertainment
Sinking Ship Entertainment is an award-winning production and interactive company that creates and produces ground-breaking kids TV and transmedia content.

Since its founding in 2004, Sinking Ship has created and produced numerous children’s TV series and has been on the forefront of TV production and interactive media for kids. From being selected as one of the first partners of Amazon Studios with the upcoming series Annedroids, to achieving Nick Jr.’s highest debut of all time with the action-packed series Dino Dan, Sinking Ship Entertainment brings dynamic content to audiences around the world with shows broadcast in more than 130 countries. Other series highlights include the award-winning This is Daniel Cook, This is Emily Yeung, Giver and Are We There Yet?: World Adventure. Find out more at www.sinkingship.ca.

About TVO
TVO is Ontario’s public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO’s vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and is a registered charity supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.

Episode Airdates:
Toronto I Love Toronto Park, (April 30)
Sarnia Music Park (May 7)
Thunder Bay Sleeping Giant Park (May 14)
Parry Sound Camp Park (May 21)
Niagara Falls Boat Park (May 28)
Linwood Gnome Park (June 4)
Scarborough World Park (June 11)
Port Hope Ganaraska Trail School Park (June 18)
Waubaushene Sawmill Park (June 25)
Monkton Farm Park (July 2)

For more information visit:
www.tvokids.com/shows/giver
ww3.tvo.org

Like TVO on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/TVO

Follow TVO on Twitter:
@tvo

Find TVO on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/tvo

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Available for Interviews:
Michael Lagimodiere, Giver Host
J.J. Johnson, Producer/Partner, Sinking Ship Entertainment

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