Category Archives: Down River

Congratulations to our many talented clients who have been nominated for 2014 Leo Awards

Good luck this weekend!

Gabrielle Rose

– 3 Nominations

Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Television Movie
Let It Snow

Best Performance by a Female in a Short Drama
The Corpse and The Courier

Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Motion Picture
The Dick Knost Show

William Ainscough

– 1 Nomination

Best Performance in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series
Seed – Ill Conceived

Down River

– 13 Nominations

Best Motion Picture
James Brown, Ben Ratner, Andrew Halliwell, Jack Ong – Producers

Best Direction in a Motion Picture
Ben Ratner

Best Screenwriting in a Motion Picture
Ben Ratner

Best Cinematography in a Motion Picture
Larry Lynn

Best Picture Editing in a Motion Picture
Rob Wenzek

Best Overall Sound in a Motion Picture
Randy Kiss, Michael Mcdonald, Brian Lyster

Best Musical Score in a Motion Picture
Chris Ainscough, Kevin House

Best Production Design in a Motion Picture
Josh Plaw

Best Costume Design in a Motion Picture
Gloria Tsui

Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Motion Picture
Brian Markinson

Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Motion Picture
Jennifer Spence, Colleen Rennison

Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Motion Picture
Helen Shaver

Andrea Menard

– 1 Nomination

Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series
Blackstone – Burn Baby Burn

Lighthouse Pictures

– A slate of four Lighthouse Pictures’ productions have been nominated for 9 Leo Awards.

THE COLOUR OF RAIN
Best Television Movie: Shawn Williamson, Jamie Goehring – Producers
Best Direction: Anne Wheeler

SCARECROW
Best Cinematography: Eric Goldstein
Best Picture Editing: Tony Dean Smith
Best Overall Sound: Kirby Jinnah, Iain Pattison, Kevin Belen
Best Sound Editing: James Wallace, Jay Cheetham, Kevin Townshend, Shane Shemko
Best Musical Score: Matthew Rogers

LET IT SNOW
Best Supporting Performance by a Female: Gabrielle Rose

HATS OFF TO CHRISTMAS
Best Supporting Performance by a Male: Sean Michael Kyer

3 Days in Havana

– 3 Nominations

Best Motion Picture
Gil Bellows, Tony Pantages, Sidney Chiu, Gordon MacDonald
Kim Wakefield, Rob Neilson, Tim Brown – Producers

Best Cinematography in a Motion Picture
Pieter Stathis

Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Motion Picture
Christopher Heyerdahl

Some Assembly Required

– 5 Nominations

Best Youth or Children’s Program or Series
Tim Gamble, Dan Signer, Howard Nemetz,
Michael Shepard, Alexandra Raffé, S. Lily Hui – Producers

Best Screenwriting in a Youth or Children’s Program or Series (2)
Jennica Harper – Philharmonica
Ryan W. Smith, Nathaniel Moher

Best Performance in a Youth or Children’s Program or Series (2)
Ellie Harvie – Strong Suit
Dylan Playfair – Rainbow Bunny

Lawrence & Holloman

– 9 Nominations

Being nominated for 9 Leo Awards makes the debut feature film Lawrence & Holloman the 2^nd most nominated film this year.

Best Motion Picture
Producers: Paul Armstrong, Daniel Arnold, Matthew Kowalchuk,
Mary Anne Waterhouse, Andrew Currie, Robyn Wiener, Don Thompson

Best Direction of a Motion Picture
Matthew Kowalchuk

Best Screenwriting of a Motion Picture
Daniel Arnold & Matthew Kowalchuk

Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Motion Picture
Daniel Arnold

Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Motion Picture
Ben Cotton

Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Motion Picture
Katharine Isabelle

Best Casting of a Motion Picture
Candice Elzinga

Best Picture Editing in a Motion Picture
David Legault

Best Sound Editing in a Motion Picture
Miguel Nunes, Gord Hillier, Don Harrison, Ian Mackie, Geoff Hollingshead

Agam Darshi

– 1 Nomination

Best Supporting Performance by a Female
in a Dramatic Series
Played – Poison

Jennifer Spence

– 2 Nominations

Best Supporting Performance by a Female
in a Motion Picture
Down River

Best Supporting Performance by a Female
in a Dramatic Series
Continuum – Second Opinion

Aubrey Arnason and Sarah Groundwater

– 6 Nominations

Best Information or Lifestyle Series (2)
The Proposal
Wedding Belles

Best Screenwriting in an Information or Lifestyle Series (3)
The Proposal – The ‘A’ Team
Sarah Groundwater – Wedding Belles – Modern Pin Up
Aubrey Arnason – Wedding Belles – Vintage Chic

Best Host(s) in an Information or Lifestyle Series
Wedding Belles – If The Shoe Fits

Indiecan Entertainment has acquired the Canadian distribution rights for Ben Ratner’s feature Down River

Down River is written and directed by multiple award-winning writer/director Ben Ratner (Moving Malcolm) and produced by James Brown. Executive Producer is Jack Ong.

Down River had its World Premiere at the Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival and also screened at the Calgary International Film Festival. The film will get a special Gala presentation on October 5^th as part of the ‘Spotlight on BC’ section of the Vancouver International Film Festival and will screen again on October 9^th.

Down River is the emotionally stirring story of three young women teetering on the edge between creative breakthroughs and personal breakdowns, and their connection with the older woman they rely on for guidance, support and inspiration.

Inspired by Ben Ratner’s long-time comradeship with actress Babz Chula who passed away in 2010, Down River is a film about mentorship, friendship, living life to the fullest, and ultimately letting go.

“I am very excited that Indiecan will be releasing Down River. Ben has done a masterful job with this sweet, passionate and memorable film. I am looking forward to sharing this wonderfully acted and executed film to Canadian audiences across the country,” said Indiecan’s Avi Federgreen.

“We are very excited to have IndieCan as our Canadian sales agent for Down River. As a boutique company, IndieCan gives us the reassurance that our film will be very well looked after and promoted to the widest possible audience. Avi’s passion for Canadian film and commitment to getting independent films into the marketplace serves us extremely well and we are delighted to have him aboard.” Producer – James Brown

Down River stars three Gemini award-winning actors Helen Shaver, Gabrielle Miller, Colleen Rennison and Ratner’s real-life wife, Leo award-nominated Jennifer Spence. Other actors joining this first-rate cast include Jay Brazeau, Ali Liebert, Brian Markinson and Teach Grant.

Director of Photography is Larry Lynn. Edited by Rob Wenzek. The sound track includes original songs by Kevin House, Colleen Rennison and The Boom Booms.

BEN RATNER is an award-winning actor, writer and director. His directorial debut, Moving Malcolm, received a Best First Feature honour at the 2003 Montreal World Film Festival and played at festivals all over the world, from Vancouver to Kolkata, India. Down River marks his second time as a writer/director.

GOSSAMER CREATIVE INC. AND HAVEN FILMS produced Down River, The film was made in part with the financial participation of Telefilm Canada and additional financing was provided by the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC) and Film Incentive BC (FIBC).

HAVEN FILMS is a Vancouver based Production Company, owned and operated by writer/director/actor Ben Ratner. Haven Films previously produced the feature comedy ‘Moving Malcolm’ which Ratner wrote, directed and starred in and which won Best First Feature at the 2003 Montreal World Film Festival.

GOSSAMER CREATIVE is a Vancouver-based film production company with ties to Gossamer Threads, a leading internet technology firm with deep roots in data storage and online distribution founded in 1996. “Down River” is Gossamer Creative’s first feature film credit and the company has several other projects in development.

INDIECAN ENTERTAINMENT focuses on Canadian independent, low-budget (less than $1.5 million) films. As a distributor, Avi Federgreen follows the same principle that earned him his reputation as a filmmaker; bringing Canadians films they want to watch. Aside from the traditional distribution route, INDIECAN leans heavily on digital delivery. INDIECAN helps films find more opportunities with audiences through TV, Netflix, iTunes, websites, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. INDIECAN’s vision is to not only support Canadian production but to encourage the viewing of Canadian films by Canadian audiences. Indiecanent.com

Social Media Handles

Website: benratner.com, downrivermovie.com, indiecanent.com
Twitter: @Haven_Studio, @DownRiverMovie, @indiecanent
Facebook: facebook.com/DownRiverMovie, facebook.com/IndiecanEntertainment

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

Helen Shaver, Gabrielle Miller, Jennifer Spence and Colleen Rennison star in actor/writer/director Ben Ratner’s feature film Down River screening at the Vancouver International Film Festival, Cinefest Sudbury and the Calgary International Film Festival

Down River has been selected to be the Gala Film for the October 5th spotlight on BC screening at the Vancouver International Film Festival

Gossamer Creative and Haven Films are pleased to announce that Down River has been selected to be the Gala Film for the October 5th Spotlight on BC Screening at the Vancouver International Film Festival.

Vancouver International Film Festival – Showtimes
October 05, 6:30 pm
Vancouver Playhouse
600 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC

October 09, 4:30 pm
Rio Theatre
1660 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC

Down River will also be screening at Cinefest Sudbury on September 22nd and the Calgary International Film Festival on September 28th and 29th.

Calgary International Film Festival – Showtimes
September 28, 7:00 pm
Globe Theatre
617 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB

September 29, 1:30 pm
Eau Claire
200 Barclay Parade SW, Corner of 2nd St & 2nd Ave SW, Calgary, AB

Written and directed by multiple award-winning writer/director Ben Ratner (Moving Malcolm), Down River is the emotionally stirring story of three young women teetering on the edge between creative breakthroughs and personal breakdowns, and their connection with the older woman they rely on for guidance, support and inspiration.

Gemini award-winning Gabrielle Miller (Corner Gas, Call Me Fitz, Moving Day) portrays an in-demand but insecure actress. Gemini award-winning Colleen Rennison (DaVinci’s City Hall and lead singer of fast-rising band Nosinner) plays a gifted but self- destructive rock singer. Ratner’s real-life wife, Leo award-nominated Jennifer Spence (Continuum, Stargate Universe, The Killing) plays a dynamic abstract artist hiding under a paint-stained hoodie. And Gemini award-winning Helen Shaver (The Color of Money, Desert Hearts) plays their charismatic and caring neighbour who eventually leaves them to face the future on their own.

Inspired by Ben Ratner’s long-time comradeship with actress Babz Chula who passed away in 2010, Down River is a film about mentorship, friendship, living life to the fullest, and ultimately letting go.

Other actors joining this first-rate cast include Jay Brazeau (Fathers and Sons, Insomnia), Ali Liebert (Bomb Girls, Harper’s Island), Brian Markinson (Continuum, Mad Men) and Teach Grant (Cult, Gunless).

Written and Directed by Ben Ratner. Produced by James Brown. Director of Photography is Larry Lynn. Edited by Rob Wenzek. Executive Producer is Jack Ong. Original songs by Kevin House, Colleen Rennison and The Boom Booms. Down River was shot in Vancouver.

Social Media Handles

Website: downrivermovie.com
Twitter: @DownRiverMovie
Facebook: facebook.com/DownRiverMovie
YouTube: Down River Movie Teaser

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People