Emerging film-makers are coming to Windsor this summer to make four 90-minute shows that will air on the cable channel Hollywood Suite.
Buzzflix is an initiative launched by Vortex Media Executive Chairman Bill Marks that creates paid employment and hands-on training for young film-makers.
The company selected 70 college and university students to write, film, and produce the projects.
"We're filming all over Windsor, throughout the whole summer. We're not a big Hollywood movie so there won't be 20 trailers parked on your street, but you'll see a few cube vans and some lights, and you'll see what we're up to," said Marks.
All of the films will be centred around youth stories set in the fictional "Walkerville High", using the Walkerville Collegiate Institute and Windsor as the backdrop.
"Windsor for me represents Canada today. There's a large immigrant community, there's a diversified base of employment between industry, between logistics, and between medical technology. But more importantly, we're right on the frontlines here in Windsor of all of the bad stuff that's happening with the United States right now," said Marks. "I felt that the compelling stories that will come out of Windsor would be of resonance not only to everyone in Canada but really to a worldwide audience,"
It's estimated the projects will cost around $8-million to film and produce. Around $1.8 million of that will be to pay the youth.
All of the participants were required to relocate to Windsor for the summer.
Humber College student Lola Ogundalu is working as a production coordinator on the first project - set to start filming at the end of the month. She's staying at the student residences at the University of Windsor.
"It's been a rollercoaster ride just because I wasn't expecting it. It's a great opportunity, because I am still in school and I'm getting to learn hands-on and figure out just where I want to be once I graduate," said Ogundalu.
The projects are being supported through provincial and federal tax credits, the Canadian Summer Jobs Program, and the Canadian Media Fund.
"They're four 90-minute movies about life at Walkerville High, that we like to think might have a little place in the Canadian pantheon next to Degrassi some day," said Marks.
He is already committed to continuing the program in Windsor in 2027.
