News & Press

April 27, 2022 – Incendo is delighted to congratulate James Phillips on his 2022 WGC Award win for the TV-Movie, As Gouda As It Gets. The WGC Screenwriting Awards recognize and celebrate Canadian screenwriters and their scripts. Winners were announced at a virtual ceremony held on April 25th where James won the award in the MOW & Miniseries category. 

As Gouda As It Gets – Brie Belanger is the maître fromager and owner of Brie’s Cheese, a cute artisan cheese shop located in picturesque Vermont. Looking to boost her business presence and sales, the town’s annual Cheese Festival arrives just in time with a $50,000 first-place prize. Up against her biggest competitor, Brie’s vintage smoked gouda is considered a frontrunner-so much so that Jacob Wolfe, a former chef and influential cheese blogger, approaches about profiling her delectable creation, leading their friendship to take a turn for romance. Complications arise when Matt Lambert, the handsome and charismatic new CEO of Lambert Farms (and Brie’s largest competitor) starts to show his interest in acquiring her shop. Racing against the clock and a disastrous power failure, Brie and Jacob must recreate a prize-worthy entry if she has any hope of keeping her shop and potentially winning more than she initially hoped for. 

The film is available to stream on Citytv in Canada. To watch the official trailer please click here. 

About Incendo 

Incendo is a Canadian company that specializes in the production and international distribution of high-quality television programming for the worldwide marketplace. Since its inception in 2001, the company has produced compelling movies, television series as well as documentaries that have been sold throughout the world. Incendo is the leading television distribution company in Canada and also handles theatrical distribution in Québec for Paramount Pictures. For more information, visit www.incendo.ca. 

About the WGC Screenwriting Awards 

The WGC Screenwriting Awards are now in their 26th year of celebrating and acknowledging the best of the best in Canadian screenwriting and the all-important creators behind the most engaging and powerful Canadian-made series, films, documentaries and webseries. 

For Media Inquiries please contact: 

Effi Eustace | Vice-President, Sales & Marketing e.eustace@incendo.ca | (416) 565-5529 

Alana Doria | Marketing Assistant alana.doria@incendo.ca | (647) 274-4773 

Toronto, Canada, and Los Angeles, CA – March 1, 2022 – Canada-based Incendo and Los Angeles-based Nicely Entertainment have cemented a new development and production partnership beginning with the scripted limited series, The Christmas Checklist. The four-episode series will be available in the marketplace for the 2022 Holiday Season. 

The Christmas Checklist is an inspirational, holiday-themed limited television series written by screenwriter Lisa Hepner (A Christmas Wish in Hudson, and Christmas Lovers Anonymous) and targeted for release in December 2022. Incendo and Nicely Entertainment will develop and produce the series with Incendo responsible for distribution in English and French Canada, and Nicely Entertainment overseeing the United States and all other international territories. 

In The Christmas Checklist, Emily Richmond faces the daunting task of fulfilling her mother Ruby’s last wish—to complete a twelve-task Christmas Checklist before December 25th. Freelance writer Noah covers Emily’s compelling story for the local paper, and as Emily works through her list, Noah’s article turns from vividly inspiring to personally cherished. Just in time for Christmas Eve, their journey together ultimately reveals that Ruby’s twelfth and final checklist wish has been in front of them the whole time. 

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the creative talent at Nicely Entertainment and can’t wait to bring this unique tale to screens around the globe,” said Graham Ludlow, Production & Development Executive at Incendo. 

“Incendo and Nicely Entertainment have been looking for an opportunity to collaborate and with The Christmas Checklist, it’s a perfect match to kick-off our partnership,” added Vanessa Shapiro, CEO, Nicely Entertainment and Executive Producer. The series will embody a modern, captivating story about family, friends and heartfelt romance set against the magical spirit of Christmas, and we know Incendo is our ideal partner to bring this story to life just in time for Christmas!” 

The Canadian broadcaster and principal photography dates will be announced soon. 

Founded in early 2020, Nicely Entertainment was one of the first companies to get a production off the ground in Australia during COVID with This Little Love of Mine, which premiered on Netflix in 2021, and has since brought over 30 movies to the distribution marketplace. Shapiro is Executive Producer on the upcoming 2022 Netflix Original family series, Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance! and the Netflix Original YA Series’ Dive Club (2021). 

About Incendo 

Incendo is a Canadian company that specializes in the production and international distribution of high-quality television programming for the worldwide marketplace. Since its inception in 2001, the company has produced compelling movies, television series as well as documentaries that have been sold throughout the world. Incendo is the leading television distribution company in Canada and also handles theatrical distribution in Québec for Paramount Pictures. For more information, visit www.incendo.ca. 

Social Media Links: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn 

About Nicely Entertainment 

Nicely Entertainment is a production and distribution company founded in 2020 amidst the COVID pandemic, helmed by Vanessa Shapiro. Nicely brings to market more than twelve new movies each year to global audiences and markets around the world. Since the company’s founding in 2020, ten new movies have premiered on Lifetime including A Very Charming Christmas Town, Lonestar Christmas, The Christmas Listing and Christmas on the Menu. Nicely’s latest release in the USA is the Romance movie Save The Wedding which premiered on Hallmark in April 2021, and A Second Chance: Rivals which premiered on Netflix in July 2021. Since 2020, Nicely has teamed with The Steve Jaggi Company on several projects in Australia including This Little Love of Mine, which premiered on Netflix Worldwide in July 7, 2021, the upcoming movie Love in Bloom, and the new Netflix Original YA Series’ Dive Club (12×22’). Vanessa Shapiro serves as Executive Producer on the projects. The company is also in development and co-production on half a dozen new television series set in Canada, Australia, USA, and Spain. Nicely is the worldwide distributor on the upcoming 2022 Netflix Family Series Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance! created by Clay Glenn, with a series adaptation by Clay Glenn and Vanessa Shapiro, who also serves as Executive Producer. 

Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn 

For Media Inquiries please contact: 

Carol Holdsworth (for Nicely Entertainment) 

Three.Sixty Marketing & Communications 

carol@360-comm.com | (805) 252-1848 

Effi Eustace | Vice-President, Sales & Marketing (Incendo) 

e.eustace@incendo.ca | (416) 565-5529 

Alana Doria | Marketing Assistant (Incendo) 

alana.doria@incendo.ca | (647) 274-4773 

Toronto, January 27, 2022 – Incendo is pleased to announce the company will oversee sales and distribution of Rainmaker Content programming in Canada. The new collaboration includes a large and varied catalogue of programming available from the global content company including scripted and unscripted television series, films, documentaries, and special event programming across an assortment of genres. 

Series and film titles now available for license includes a wide array of U.K. content such as horror-genre films Hallows Eve and The Haunting of Ellie Rose which launched this past October as Canadian premieres on Amazon Prime Video, international award-winning Canadian series The Border, and the highly anticipated live-event program, The 2022 Critics Choice Awards. 

The first Canadian linear sale under this partnership is the new series Professionals starring Tom Welling, Brendan Fraser and Elena Anaya. Previously picked up by The CW in the U.S., the series will air in Canada on CHCH TV in 2022. 

Professionals follows Vincent Corbo (Tom Welling), a top-tier security operative, who is paid to protect the interests of rich and powerful clients by any means necessary – legal or not. After a next-gen medical satellite explodes on launch, Corbo is hired by the rocket’s designer – billionaire futurist Peter Swann (Brendan Fraser) – who suspects sabotage. Complicating Corbo’s new gig is his former paramour and now Swann’s fiancée, medical visionary Dr. Grace Davila (Elena Anaya), who is racing to help stave off a global catastrophe. As Corbo and his team of veteran security professionals investigate the rocket disaster, they expose a lethal conspiracy of Swann’s corporate rivals, corrupt government officials, and a shadowy crime syndicate – all working to destroy Swann and take control of his tech empire. Worse, Corbo must also contend with a rogue Europol agent (Ken Duken) who is hellbent on busting him for past sins. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Rainmaker Content as a partner to Incendo,” said Brook Peters, Senior Vice-President & Managing Director. “Their catalogue of series and films comes at a quality level that compliments our growing roster of content that will strategically benefit Canadian broadcasters, buyers and audiences across the country.” 

Said Karen Wise, Head of Sales for Rainmaker Content, “Incendo is a natural fit to represent our content in Canada. Their reputation as a trusted distributor is only exceeded by their professionalism, understanding, and dedication to the business of filmed entertainment.” 

About Incendo 

Incendo is a Canadian company that specializes in the production and international distribution of high-quality television programming for the worldwide marketplace. Since its inception in 2001, the company has produced compelling movies, television series as well as documentaries that have been sold throughout the world. Incendo is the leading television distribution company in Canada and also handles theatrical distribution in Québec for Paramount Pictures. For more information, visit www.incendo.ca. 

Social Media Links: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn 

About Rainmaker Content 

Rainmaker Content is a global content company formed to create, finance and distribute commercially appealing programming, collaborating with award-winning producers, production companies and directors who have proven track records of making high-quality premium programming for the widest audience. 

About Professionals 

Professionals is a production of Most Media, Subotica, Spier Films and Roadside Attractions in association with Jeff Most Productions, LEONINE Studios, NENT Group and The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa. 

For Media Inquiries please contact: 

Effi Eustace | Vice-President, Sales & Marketing e.eustace@incendo.ca | (416) 565-5529 

Alana Doria | Marketing Assistant 

alana.doria@incendo.ca | (647) 274-4773 

London/Canada, November 29th, 2021: Incendo and BlackBox Multimedia today announce they have optioned the TV adaption rights to the Ellery Queen collection of novels and short stories. BlackBox Multimedia and Incendo will co-develop and co-produce a high-end scripted series together. 

Ellery Queen, the lead detective hero of the novel series as well as the pseudonym used by the books’ authors, cousins Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee, is one of the most popular American mystery novel series ever published. The books remain huge international bestsellers and have also established a massive fanbase in territories such as China. 

Recognised as one of the leading examples of the “fair play” genre of literature, the stories follow Ellery Queen in intricate plots where the reader discovers clues and hints hidden in the story at the same time as the eponymous detective does. The novels are peppered with a range of obvious and less-so culprits, red herrings, and multiple mis-directions to keep audiences guessing. 

Shifting the setting of the stories to the modern day, the television series will be adapted to a contemporary world, and the lead role will be cast as a female detective rather than a male as is in the novels. Further announcements on the casting will be made in the new year. 

The Estate of Ellery Queen is represented by Jabberwocky Literary Agency. 

Giuliano Papadia, CEO and Creative Director at BlackBox Multimedia says “Ellery Queen is one of the most definitive series of detective fiction to ever be written. The stories have been global favourites for a huge part of the 20th and 21st Centuries. They have fascinating plots, unique characters, and settings you love to get lost in. The team at Incendo are the perfect partners for helping modernise this excellent and timeless series of stories.” 

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to develop a new series, based off an already established, globally successful IP,” added Gavin Reardon, International Sales & Co-Production Executive. “In collaborating with the creative minds at BlackBox Multimedia, we are eager to discover the reimagined version of the novels come to life on screens around the world.” 

Richard Dannay and Rand B. Lee of Jabberwocky Literary Agency said “When our fathers first sat down to begin the collaboration that would become Ellery Queen, they never would have dreamed that they would then embark on a forty-year journey together, or imagined the remarkable success that Ellery Queen would attain. All of us in the Lee and Dannay families are thrilled to be working with BBMM and Incendo, which have both been so respectful and admiring of the rich Ellery Queen tradition, in crafting a new chapter on the screen for our shared legacy.” 

ENDS 

About Incendo 

Incendo is a Canadian company that specializes in the production and international distribution of high-quality television programming for the worldwide marketplace. Since its inception in 2001, the company has produced compelling movies, television series as well as documentaries that have been sold throughout the world. Incendo is the leading television distribution company in Canada and also handles theatrical distribution in Québec for Paramount Pictures. For more information, visit www.incendo.ca. 

About BlackBox Multimedia 

BlackBox Multimedia is an international production company designed to spearhead the contemporary global scripted content revolution. The company was founded by Guy Avshalom (former COO of Lionsgate UK), and is led by CEO Giuliano Papadia (former programming director at Fox Network Groups Europe). With offices in London, Rome and Madrid, BlackBox focuses on high end international scripted content, developing and producing in multiple languages returnable and limited event content for the global market, based on award-winning IPs with A-list talent and partners. 

About Ellery Queen 

Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee created the first Ellery Queen novel for a writing contest, and their creation went on to become one of the most enduring characters in mystery fiction, with over eighty novels and short story collections (half featuring the Ellery Queen character), millions of copies sold, and adaptations into radio plays, film, television, comic books, and live stage. Noted mystery critic Anthony Boucher said “Ellery Queen is the American detective story,” and noted mystery expert and publisher Otto Penzler observed that “Queen clearly is, after Poe, the most important American in mystery fiction.” Ellery Queen was the founding editor of the critically acclaimed Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, which just entered its 81st year of publication. In 1960, the Mystery Writers of America awarded Ellery Queen with the prestigious Grand Master honor. 

For Media Inquiries please contact: 

Effi Eustace | Vice-President, Sales & Marketing e.eustace@incendo.ca | (416) 565-5529 

Alana Doria | Marketing Assistant alana.doria@incendo.ca | (647) 274-4773 

Percy Warren| Film & TV PR Leads, Holly Miller holly@percywarren.com and Xander Ross xander@percywarren.com 

October 6, 2021 – Incendo is delighted to congratulate multi-award-winning composers James Gelfand and Louise Tremblay as recipients of the 2021 SOCAN Film Music Award for The Sisterhood. The duo also won the award in 2016 for their original score on the thriller Swept Under. This years’ film music award represents the third win in five years for an Incendo film, with original music composers Marc Ouellette and Luc St-Pierre taking home the award in 2018 for Amber Alert. 

Winners were announced in a virtual presentation held on Tuesday, October 5 and nearly 100 SOCAN Awards in 23 categories were presented to Québec’s most successful songwriters, composers and music publishers for their tremendous accomplishments in 2020, as part of the celebration of winners at the 32nd SOCAN Gala. 

The Sisterhood – Ashley Shields had a rough year following the death of her mother, the disintegration of her marriage, and getting passed over for a promotion at work. When her sister Jasmine introduces her to a women’s group, The Sisterhood, she is intrigued, and hopes to feel empowered enough to change her life. Led by the enigmatic and charismatic Desiree, The Sisterhood delivers to Ashley everything it promises. She gets a raise at her job, her divorce is resolved in her favor and she finally feels fulfilled and happy. But she soon discovers that the benefits of The Sisterhood come at a steep, and sometimes illegal price. As Ashley learns more about The Sisterhood and is forced to participate in its questionable activities, she realizes that she is in over her head and must get out – even if it’s at the expense of her relationship with Jasmine… or her life. 

The Sisterhood is currently available to stream on ctv.ca in Canada. 

About the SOCAN Awards 

The SOCAN Awards is an annual event, held in both Toronto and Montréal, which celebrates the song writing, composing and music publishing achievements of our Anglophone and Francophone members alike. Since 1990 – the inaugural year of the SOCAN Awards – the Canadian music industry has gathered each year to pay tribute to the most-performed songs from the previous year by SOCAN members; honour exceptional film and television music; recognize iconic songs that have reached the 100,000-airplay mark (or 25,000 for Francophone songs) on domestic radio; and present individual SOCAN members with special achievement awards for their impressive career accomplishments. Over the years, more than 4,000 awards have been presented in various categories to songwriters, composers and music publishers whose music has garnered a great deal of success, both in Canada and abroad. 

About Incendo 

Incendo is a Canadian company that specializes in the production and international distribution of high-quality television programming for the worldwide marketplace. Since its inception in 2001, the company has produced compelling movies, television series as well as documentaries that have been sold throughout the world. Incendo is the leading television distribution company in Canada and also handles theatrical distribution in Québec for Paramount Pictures. For more information, visit www.incendo.ca. 

For Media Inquiries please contact: 

Effi Eustace | Vice-President, Sales & Marketing 

e.eustace@incendo.ca | (416) 565-5529 

Alana Doria | Marketing Assistant 

alana.doria@incendo.ca | (647) 274-4773 

MONTREAL, September 27, 2021 – Jean Bureau, President of Incendo, a company engaged in the production and international distribution of television programs for the worldwide marketplace, is pleased to announce the appointment of Graham Ludlow as production and development executive, Canada. The appointment is part of the restructuring of the company’s production operations. 

Graham Ludlow has been working with Incendo since January 2021 as a production supervisor and has been involved in the production of nine films for Incendo. Prior to joining Incendo, he served as executive producer and production supervisor on numerous Canadian series and films, including the hit series The Baroness Von Sketch Show. He was executive producer on the film She Drives me Crazy, which won the Gemini Award for best TV movie in 2010. 

Graham was born in the UK and grew up in Canada. He has worked as an actor, producer and screenwriter in Canada and Los Angeles. 

“We are delighted to be able to count on a veteran industry professional with Graham Ludlow’s reputation,” says Jean Bureau. “We are confident that with his expertise and vision, Graham will help propel Incendo to new heights, at home and abroad. We thank Ian Whitehead for his superb work over the past nine years, during which he was an outstanding producer and executive producer on some 50 films, as well as the coproduction Versailles.” 

The appointment is effective today, September 27, 2021. 

Information: 

Sophie Houle 

Communications Advisor 

sophie.houle@tva.ca 

Montreal, August 16, 2021 – Production begins today in Montreal on Be Mine, Valentine, Incendo’s ninth and final Rom Com film of the 2021 slate. 

This Romantic Comedy features Canadian actors Kaitlyn Leeb (Heartland, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Spinning Out) and Brendon Zub (Batwoman, Blue Book, The Good Doctor). The film is written by Elizabeth Stewart and Incendo welcomes the vision of award-winning director Louise Archambault. Samantha Ellison will produce the film; Executive Producers are Jean Bureau and Ian Whitehead. 

Be Mine, Valentine – Piper Davis is a dedicated proposal planner who orchestrates elaborate proposal events for her clients. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, she is overloaded with requests, on top of dealing with mixed emotions aligned with the holiday, due to a past failed romance. Her newest client is Jordan Freeman, who needs an extravagant proposal plan for his boyfriend and love of his life, Simon. With the help of Piper and Jordan’s best friend, Adam Taylor – who also happens to be Simon’s brother – they have just one week to plan the perfect proposal. Through a vested interest in getting to know each of her clients on an intimate level, Piper devises a plan where she will pose as Adam’s new girlfriend so she can get to know Jordan and Simon better while she formulates the proposal theme. Posing as a couple is a combination of effortless and complicated. While it is clear there is an instant mutual attraction, Piper and Adam easily pull off their fictitious relationship, but friction also arises due to their vast differences – after all Piper is a proposal planner and Adam a marital mediator. Leading up to the proposal day, Piper and Adam’s pretend partnership kindles into an authentic one, leading Adam to concoct an unconventional proposal of his own. 

Incendo will complete production on nine Rom Coms this year and has an additional seven films available from the 2020 slate. A collection of original, multi-genre content is in various stages of development for the remainder of 2021 through to 2022. 

About Incendo 

Incendo is a Canadian company that specializes in the production and international distribution of high-quality television programming for the worldwide marketplace. Since its inception in 2001, the company has produced compelling movies, television series as well as documentaries that have been sold throughout the world. Incendo is the leading television distribution company in Canada and also handles theatrical distribution in Québec for Paramount Pictures. For more information, visit www.incendo.ca. 

Social Media Links: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Vimeo 

For Media Inquiries please contact: 

Effi Eustace | Vice-President, Sales & Marketing e.eustace@incendo.ca | (416) 565-5529 

Alana Doria | Marketing Assistant 

alana.doria@incendo.ca | (647) 274-4773