The Actors' Fund of Canada announced today that two Shaftesbury Films projects: The Listener (CTV) and Connor Undercover (Family Channel) are the final entrants in the running for the Actors' Fund of Canada's 2008 TV Charity Challenge. The Challenge pits TV series shot in Canada against each other in a good-natured rivalry to raise money for the Fund, each vying for bragging rights as the production that can have the most fun while raising the most money for the Actors' Fund.
Connor Undercover, a kids comedy series, has completed its fundraising for the Challenge, while the one-hour drama series, The Listener is expected to announce its results when production wraps on January 29.
The Actors' Fund of Canada is The Lifeline for Canada's entertainment industry. Performers and others who work behind the scenes in film and television, theatre, music and dance can apply for emergency financial aid from the Fund, which recently set a new record for the amount of financial aid delivered to industry members in a single year, topping $500,000 in 2008. The Fund has helped over 10,000 entertainment industry workers recover from illness, injury or other circumstances causing severe economic and personal hardship since it was founded in 1958.
Commenting on The Listener's entry, Producer Manny Danelon said: "We are very happy to participate in the Challenge this year and we hope that we can help to increase support for the Actors' Fund throughout the production community. It's a fund that is there for any of us who find ourselves in serious trouble. We all hope that we will never need the Actors' Fund ourselves but we're all better off for having it there to call upon in a time of crisis or need."
Says Actors' Fund Executive Director David Hope: "We have had two Shaftesbury projects competing in the 2008 Challenge and that's no coincidence. Shaftesbury has been a great supporter of the Fund this year and their participation is evidence of the growing relationship between the Actors' Fund and Canadian film and television production companies.
Whatever your role in the Canadian film & television industry, whether it be as an actor, writer, producer, technician or any of the other professions that make up our business, the Actors' Fund is an organization that is relevant to you and is worthy of your support."
The Actors' Fund of Canada is a registered charity that has paid out over $3.7 million in rent payments, grocery money, utility payments and other basic living expenses in the last 10 years. Performers, creators, technical
staff and other production team members can benefit from the Fund, which receives no government funding and is wholly sustained by support from individuals and entertainment industry organizations.
For TV Charity Challenge updates, visit:
http://actorsfund.ca/charitychallenge/
