April, 16 2025

From the Producers’ Chair

Hello Reader,

Today is National Canadian Film Day—a moment to pause and recognize the incredible stories born here, told here, and shared with the world.

And it’s a perfect day to send this update because The Quiet Canadians—our next film—is more than just a movie. It’s a declaration of how we believe films should be made:

• With clarity of purpose.

• With a committed audience from day one.

• And with a whole lot of Canadian grit and ambition and some "elbows up"!

Let’s take a look at what’s happening behind the scenes… and share a few things we think you’ll love.

Helena & Anthony​
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🎥 Celebrating Stories We’ve Already Told

Before we get to what’s next, we want to celebrate a few films we’ve helped bring to life—each proudly Made in Canada, and all available to stream now.

🍁 On Our Watchlist for Canada Film Day:

• 13 Miles – A raw sports drama shot all across British Columbia. It’s a testament to what’s possible when you refuse to wait for permission.

• Seagrass – A haunting, poetic family drama that premiered at TIFF. Emotional, nuanced, and beautifully realized.

• The Island Between Tides – A surreal reimagining of Peter Pan with a dark twist, grounded in atmospheric storytelling.

• The Edge of Sleep – A genre-blending mind-bender with a strong Vancouver presence and international acclaim.

• The Beehive – A smart, suspenseful indie thriller that will keep you guessing.

Each of these films is an example of what Canadian storytellers can do when we’re resourceful, stubbornly creative, and surrounded by the right people.

(And yes… we’re looking at you.)

🕵️ Behind the Scenes of The Quiet Canadians

Here’s where we are right now:

• Script is under revision. This draft is blending some new insights and ideas from creative discussions with our Producers, Cinematographer, and some technical research into the contemporary world of spycraft.

• Casting is underway. Without giving details, we have begun getting some interesting responses already... This is a long process so we wanted to get started asap.

• Location scouting has begun. We explored spaces across Halifax and now we're touring Vancouver and the lower mainland.

• Production begins November 17. With just over 6 months to go, we’re moving with purpose, building toward an ambitious, beautiful shoot.

And for the first time ever, we’re inviting you behind the curtain. Not just to watch us make the film—but to help shape its future.

🌱 A Quiet (But Exciting) Opportunity:

Would you ever invest in a movie?

This month, we’re exploring a potential new path:

A way to own a piece of The Quiet Canadians.

We’re looking into equity crowdfunding under Canadian securities regulations—a model that would allow our community to become co-owners in the film.

Here’s what that could mean:

✅ You could invest in the movie. This means real equity, not just perks.

✅ There may be an early bird bonus premium for first investors.

🕰 We’re locking in early conversations now.

🏆 Our team brings 50+ years of combined experience across dozens of projects and festival appearances.

Right now, we’re simply testing the waters.

We want to know: Would this interest you?

👉 Take the 1-minute survey here​

Legal Disclosure (British Columbia & Canada specific):

We are ‘testing the waters’ to gauge investor interest in an offering under the crowdfunding exemptions available under Canadian securities laws, including those in British Columbia. No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if sent, it will not be accepted. No offer to buy securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until an offering document has been filed with the appropriate securities regulators. Any indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

🎙From the Podcast: What You May Have Missed

We know this community isn’t just watching from the sidelines. You’re dreamers, creators, thinkers, and people who care about how good films get made.

Since January, Off the Lot has dropped new episodes every week, full of honest lessons from working filmmakers.

Here are a few episodes from March and early April that inspired us:

🎙 From DIY Filmmaker to Feature Director

Guest: Ava Maria Safai

Ava shares her story of going from scrappy self-made shorts to directing her first feature under Telefilm’s Talent to Watch program. It’s honest, motivating, and exactly what indie film is about.

👉 Listen to the episode​

🎙 The Indie Producer’s Survival Guide

Guest: Amanda Verhagen

Amanda offers insights into the world of indie film producing, covering topics like budgeting, crew management, and problem-solving. Her experience provides valuable guidance for aspiring producers.

👉 Listen here​

🎙 The Brutal Truth About Film Development

Hosts & Guests: Anthony Epp & Ken Kabatoff

Development isn’t sexy—but it’s the bedrock of a successful indie film. In this candid episode, Anthony and Ken break down why so many indie projects stall before they ever shoot—and how to build a realistic development strategy that leads to production (not purgatory).

👉 Listen to the episode​

💥 Stunts, Shogun, and Indie Feature Films

Guest: Lauro “Lash” Chartrand-Del Valle

What does it take to go from crashing through windows to calling the shots on set? In this episode, legendary stunt coordinator and indie director Lauro Chartrand-Del Valle shares lessons from Shogun, where he won a SAG Award for Outstanding Stunt Ensemble, and how he’s now using that experience to elevate indie action films like Protectors of the Land. A must-listen for anyone dreaming big on a tight budget.

👉 Listen to the episode​

🎬 From Unforgiven to Heretic: A Prop Master’s Hollywood Journey

Guest: Dean Goodine

Hollywood prop master Dean Goodine has worked on Unforgiven, Inception, and the indie hit Heretic. In this masterclass on the role of props in storytelling, he explains why even the smallest object can make or break a scene—and why indie filmmakers can’t afford to overlook the details.

👉 Listen to the episode​

🎙 Our Latest Episode: The Indie Film Business, Reimagined

Guest: Daren Smith, Craftsman Films

Daren’s piece on building a sustainable indie film career hits home. He lays out a roadmap for filmmakers who want to own their work, connect directly with audiences, and create lasting creative freedom.

👉 Listen here​

If you’re considering getting into the "biz"—or just someone who loves the idea of filmmaking as a craft—you can check out Daren's blog, which is chalk full of useful info!

👉 Read it here​

Listen to our latest episode on Spotify:

Indie Film Revolution: How t... Apr 11 · Off The Lot | where indi... 82:42   ​

Or head to Off The Lot and watch or listen on your favourite podcast app.

🎁 Before You Go…

We don’t usually share this publicly, but as one of our insiders, we th​ought you might enjoy it:

👉 Click here to view our Creative Deck for The Quiet Canadians​

This is the internal guide our team uses to shape the film’s look, feel, and cinematic DNA. Think of it like a director’s scrapbook, mood board, and world-building bible—all rolled into one.

Thanks for being part of this. It means the world.

END CREDITS / Why You Matter

You may not realize this, but by reading these emails, watching our films, or even replying to share a thought—you’re doing something powerful.

You’re part of a community that wants to see a different kind of film ecosystem thrive.

You’re not just a fan.

You’re a co-creator of what comes next.

So whether you’re here to watch, share, invest, or just cheer from the sidelines—thank you. The momentum we’re building together is anything but small.

📩 Want more behind-the-scenes updates, early previews, and investment updates?

​Join the Insider Intel list here​

Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and share this newsletter with friends! If you received this newsletter from a friend and would like to subscribe, click here.​

Remember, you can read our blog, follow our news, take one of our masterclasses, check out our films and get in touch on our website.​

Until next month ... stay inspired!
Helena Thom & Anthony Epp

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