Salter lays off staff

Following its acquisition in February by Alliance Atlantis Communications, Salter Street Films has laid off 22 people, or nearly 25%, of its staff of 90.

Thirteen layoffs hit the company's Toronto office - which will still house some members of Salter's new media division - while nine were made at head office in Halifax.

"We are truly saddened by the loss of very, very capable people, but we also understand the realities of this part of the business," says Salter cofounder and CEO Michael Donovan. He adds that all the distribution staff in the Toronto office will be leaving, including VP of international sales Stephen Kelley and Liliana Vogt, VP of acquisitions and coproductions.

AAC CEO Michael MacMillan indicated at the time of the purchase announcement that Salter's distribution department would likely be cut, but no further layoffs are expected.

A big question remains as to the future of Salter president and COO Catherine Tait, who took the company public, and headed its successful pitch for specialty channel licences last August. She was recently named to the board of Atlantic telecom company Aliant.

Miramax picks up Egoyan's Ararat for U.S.

Miramax Films has picked up the new Atom Egoyan film, Ararat, for U.S. distribution.

Egoyan wrote and directed Ararat, and is sharing production duties with Robert Lantos of Serendipity Point Films. Ararat delves into the 1915 Armenian genocide and will explore some issues that may be of personal interest to Egoyan, who is of Armenian heritage.

The film, which the producers say is "set against the production of an epic film" about the genocide, moves back and forth between the historical event and its subsequent effect on modern lives.

Stars include Charles Aznavour, Christopher Plummer, Eric Bogosian, Brent Carver, Marie-Josee Croze and Bruce Greenwood.

Miramax also handled U.S. distribution on Exotica, another project written and directed by Egoyan.

Lions Gate Award goes to Jewison

In late-breaking news, the Banff Television Festival has announced renowned Canadian director and producer Norman Jewison will receive the Lions Gate Award of Excellence at the Banff Rockie Awards show Monday, June 11. Julie Snyder and Ian Hanomansing are hosting the show, which is followed by the A&E Gala Awards Dinner.

In other festival news, Canadian director John Fawcett is the recipient of the 200l CTV Fellowship Prize, to be presented by CTV Television president and COO Trina McQueen.

Jet Stream Digital Media of Calgary will provide live webcasting of some Banff 2001 highlights. The webcast schedule includes the plenary sessions, Monday, June 11 to Friday, June 15 from 9-10:30 a.m. (MT) as well as the New Media sessions from 2-3 p.m, June 11-14.

CPAC is originating the video feed for the festival and webcast and will broadcast portions of the program at a later date.

Meantime, the Banff Television Foundation will honor Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps with a special award for her "outstanding leadership and commitment to the promotion of culture and diversity in Canada and around the world."