Animated holiday special stars Tantoo Cardinal
and Lorne Cardinal as famed Inuk pilot Johnny May
Ottawa, June 26, 2017 – Amberwood Entertainment today announced that production is underway on new animated primetime holiday special The Great Northern Candy Drop for CBC. Starring Lorne Cardinal and Tantoo Cardinal, the half-hour special tells the story of famed Inuk pilot Johnny May and his long-standing holiday drop tradition in the Kuujjuaq community of Nunavik. May serves as a consultant on the special, which will premiere on CBC in December 2017.
“We are so excited to be bringing this amazing story to life, and are honoured to be working alongside such top-tier partners as Kris, Jam Filled, Boat Rocker, and of course CBC,” said Jonathan Wiseman, executive producer.
“Johnny May is one of Canada’s unsung heroes, and we look forward to sharing his inspiring story of commitment and dedication to community with the entire country this holiday season,” said Sally Catto, general manager, programming, CBC.
Based on a children’s book published in 2015 by the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, The Great Northern Candy Drop tells the true story of Inuk bush pilot Johnny May, who has flown over Kuujjuaq in the Nunavik region of Northern Quebec to drop candy, toys and warm clothing to the children and residents of the community each holiday season for more than 50 years.
Produced by Amberwood Entertainment, The Great Northern Candy Drop is written by Canadian Kris Pearn (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, Arthur Christmas, Shaun the Sheep) and animated by Ottawa’s Jam Filled Entertainment, with Jamie Leclaire and Phil Lafrance serving as directors. The special is distributed by Boat Rocker Rights.
For more information please contact:
Jonathan Wiseman
Senior Vice President
Amberwood Entertainment
T: (613) 238-4567
E: jwiseman@amberwoodent.com
W: www.amberwoodent.com
Elizabeth Reid - publicist, CBC
elizabeth.reid@cbc.ca
416-205-2665
About Amberwood Entertainment
Amberwood is a Canadian-based independent producer, financier and distributor of high quality animated and live-action content for kids and families.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. We are Canada’s trusted source of news, information and Canadian entertainment. Deeply rooted in communities all across the country, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also provide international news and information from a uniquely Canadian perspective. In 2017, CBC/Radio-Canada will be at the heart of thecelebrations and conversations with special 2017-themed multiplatform programming and events across Canada.
