(Via CNW) The National Film Board is launching two new video-on-demand channels today at nfb.ca: One each dedicated to “the finest in Canadian and international independent feature films” and “point-of-view documentaries from around the world,” according to an NFB press release. Films on the two channels can be rented (downloaded for 48 hours) for as little as $3.99.
The selection of indie Canadian cinema comes from First Weekend Club’s new Canada Screens initiative. First Weekend Club “has always been about building audiences for great Canadian films” says Anita Adams, Executive Director of the non-profit organization, especially on the crucial first weekend of a film’s opening. Fiction films to be offered include includes Xavier Dolan’s Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize winner Mommy, Denis Villeneuve’s Oscar-nominated Incendies, David Cronenberg’s Maps to the Stars, Richard J. Lewis’s Barney’s Version, and more.
Cinéma Excentris, an online screening partner with the NFB since February 2014, brings the documentaries to the other channel. English-language titles include Wim Wender’s Oscar-nominated Pina and Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop.
Of course, over 3,000 NFB titles are available online free of charge, and the Board is maintaining and growing that collection as well.
The new films will be available via mobile devices and connected TV within the next few weeks. A quick look at the NFB online store shows not every film is available in every region, but we can hope that will be taken care of shortly. The most recent titles (for example, Incendies) cost in the range of $5.99 per two-day rental.