Canadian filmmakers will be able to draw from a (Canadian) $50-million government fund for developing more Canadian writers, producers, and marketing staff, Canada's Heritage Minister, Sheila Copps, announced Sunday.

Interviewed by CBC Radio, Bill House, an Alliance-Atlantis exec, said he believes his company will use the government funds primarily to help market and advertise its releases. The CBC also quoted veteran Canadian producer Robert Lantos as calling the move, an "important initiative."

Source: Studio Briefing