BANFF, AB, June 14 /CNW/ - Astral's The Movie Network (Eastern Canada) and Corus Entertainment's Movie Central (Western Canada) today announced that eight Canadian original projects have been greenlit for production. Showcasing some of this country's best talent both in front of and behind the camera, titles include: new seasons of the comedy series Call Me Fitz, Less Than Kind and Living In Your Car; the six-part stand-up comedy series Just For Laughs: Funny As Hell (working title); Skins, a new Canadian content series based on the popular UK version; the mockumentary series The Yard; and original films Sleepyhead and Scaredycat.

"We are proud to partner with and support the strong, innovative talent working in this country. Their unique and creative voices truly speak to the quality of programming available on pay television today," said Aubie Greenberg, Director, Original Programming, Movie Services, Astral Television Networks. "With bold storytelling, high-quality production values and a diverse line-up that includes comedies, films and stand-up specials, we can't wait for our pay TV audiences to experience the new home-grown titles coming their way."

"Our original pay TV series have never been stronger, and we are proud of the role we play in the development and support of the best in Canadian television," said Erica Benson, Vice President, Programming, Movie Central. "The depth of this year's production slate is extraordinary, and we couldn't be more pleased to be partnering with some of this country's finest creative talents."

From E1 Entertainment, Amaze Film + Television, Big Motion Pictures and Creator /Executive Producer Sheri Elwood, Call Me Fitz is a no-holds-barred half-hour comedy starring Jason Priestley as Richard "Fitz" Fitzpatrick, a morally degenerate used car salesman who is forced to go into business with his 'conscience.' Season 1 is scheduled to premiere in September 2010 on The Movie Network and Movie Central, with Season 2 set to go into production this fall.

Less Than Kind, the half-hour, award-winning comedy from Breakthrough Film & Television and Buffalo Gal Pictures, will go into production on a third season in September 2010 in Winnipeg. Helmed by executive producer, writer and showrunner Mark McKinney, and starring Maury Chaykin and Jesse Camacho, the series follows the darkly comedic growing pains of Winnipeg teenager Sheldon Blecher and his dysfunctional family. Season 3 will premiere on HBO Canada in early 2011.

A second season of Living In Your Car, the critically acclaimed series from The Nightingale Company and Walker/Romain Productions will go into production this summer and will premiere in 2011. This karmic comedy tells the unpredictable story of a business mogul's fall from grace and his wild attempts to regain the life he lost.

Scheduled to be shot in front of a live studio audience in July as part of the 28th edition of the Just For Laughs Festival, Just For Laughs: Funny As Hell (working title) is a six-part, half-hour comedy series mixing daring stand-up with musical comedy and digital shorts, hosted by one of Canada's edgiest comics, Jon Dore. Produced by Just For Laughs Television, the series will premiere on The Movie Network and Movie Central in 2011.

Produced in association with MTV U.S., Skins is a one-hour series produced as a Canada/UK co-venture from E1 Entertainment and Company Pictures. Based on the award-winning and edgy UK hit series, this teen drama follows the lives of a group of charismatic, but troubled youth as they lurch towards adulthood. Skins is scheduled to go into production in Toronto this summer, and will premiere on The Movie Network and Movie Central in 2011.

The Yard, a six-part, half-hour mockumentary series in association with Whizbang Films Inc., is set in an urban elementary school, and follows the story of two rival gangs fighting for schoolyard supremacy. The comedic series, helmed by award-winning director Michael Mabbott, will go into production in July 2010, and will premiere in 2011.

Based on the best-selling crime thrillers by author Mark Billingham, Sleepyhead and Scaredycat are two feature length Canada/UK co-productions that follow main character Detective Tom Thorne as he investigates a series of terrifying murders that may be linked. Currently in production and scheduled to premiere in March 2011 on The Movie Network and Movie Central, both films are Cité-Amérique co-productions from Greg Dummett.

Students from 24 schools across the province will have the opportunity to showcase their animation talents on the big screen, win awards and mingle with animation experts at the 2010 Student Animation Festival at Cawthra Park Secondary School on June 2. Former Peel board students Jake Fullerton and Julian Spillane will address the audience and discuss their experience entering the animation industry.

Fullerton is currently working as an animator for Starz Animation in Toronto and Spillane has founded his own gaming company, Frozen North Productions.

"The festival is a an opportunity for students, teachers and the industry to come together to celebrate common interests," says Jane Michalak, principal at Cawthra Park. "Students get a chance to show off their talents to their families, peers and the animation industry."

Contest categories include 2D Digital Narrative, 2D Classical, 3D, Claymation, Stop-motion, Public Service Announcements, Music Videos and Animation Exercises. Awards will be given to the top two in each category. An elementary division has also been added featuring grade 5 to 8 animations of all types with awards given to the top two entries and top participating schools.

"We're promoting animation as an art form and employable skill," says John Bissylas, teacher at Cawthra Park and festival director. "We want to provide teachers with a forum for promoting animation in their schools and inspire students to pursue their interest in animation beyond high school. The pathway is already there-we just want to pave it for them."

Sponsors of this year's animation festival include Nelvana, 9 Story Entertainment, Cuppa coffee Studios, Guru Studios, Chuck Gammage Animation, Starz Animation, Centennial College, Fanshawe College, Humber College, Max the Mutt Animation School, Sheridan Institute of Technology,  St.Clair College and Thinnox Design and Technology School. Apple Canada, Electronic Arts, SONYBMG, and Frischkorn Audiovisual. All companies will provide awards for top students that include gifts,  job-shadowing and educational opportunities with the companies.

The festival will take place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in Cawthra Park's auditorium which is located at 1305 Cawthra Rd. Tickets are $5 per person at the door. For more information, visit www.studentanimationfestival.com or www.cawthrapark.com