Acclaimed Canadian Short Film Tops iTunes Download Chart

Award-winning CENTIGRADE making history as it grows fan base.

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) November 12, 2008 -- The most acclaimed Canadian film of 2008 has broken the iTunes TOP TEN list along side some of Hollywood's biggest titles. CENTIGRADE, the brainchild of Vancouver-based actors Colin Cunningham and Madison Graie, soared into the top 10 on the iTunes video download charts this week, becoming the only short film to make a list primarily reserved for Hollywood blockbusters. The 20,000 dollar 'Centigrade' entered the Top Ten along such titles as IRON MAN and Steven Spielberg's latest INDIANA JONES installment.

"If anybody had told us that our film would be going up against features with 80 million dollar budgets, we'd have laughed in their face," says Cunningham. "This is simply beyond belief."

If anybody had told us that our film would be going up against features with 80 million dollar budgets, we'd have laughed in their face

This is simply beyond belief.

We are blown away that our movie has found such an audience

To think we're on the same list as Steven Spielberg is simply indescribable.

In creating this short, we didn't expect this to be a financial success

This deal opens doors to aspiring directors and producers.

In March, CENTIGRADE became the first Canadian film to qualify for the 2009 Oscars when it won the Best Narrative Short at the Cinequest Film Festival, an Academy Awards-sanctioned event. The film, which was produced by Vancouver's Madison Graie, was made on a $20,000 budget.

"We are blown away that our movie has found such an audience," says Graie, who is keeping her fingers crossed in hopes of an Oscar nod. "To think we're on the same list as Steven Spielberg is simply indescribable."

Through the distribution deal with Shorts International, CENTIGRADE is available for download and rental in Canada, the United States and Great Britain. The move to e-commerce also heralds a new era for shorts. Previously, filmmakers only hope of making money on a short film was to receive backing for a feature-length production.

"In creating this short, we didn't expect this to be a financial success," says Graie, who encouraged Cunningham, her long-time collaborator, to develop the script. "This deal opens doors to aspiring directors and producers."

Cunningham and Graie are also in discussions to turn CENTIGRADE into a feature. The film, which is about a man trapped in a trailer that is slowly burning up, captured five Leo Awards, which honor the British Columbia Film and Television Industry, and has qualified for Genie Awards, the annual fête that recognizes Canadian filmmakers.

Under the distribution deal with Shorts International, which has a licensing agreement with iTunes' creator, Apple Inc., CENTIGRADE joins a handful of short films available for download and rental. The other movies include animated shorts from Pixar as well as previous Academy Awards nominees and honorees.

To learn more about CENTIGRADE, its writer, director and lead actor Colin Cunningham and its producer Madison Graie, visit http://www.centigradethemovie.com.

Watch the CENTIGRADE trailer online at http://www.centigradethemovie.com/2007/08/11/teaser-trailer/.

About CENTIGRADE

CENTIGRADE (www.centigradethemovie.com) is an intense, no-holds-barred thrill ride into one man's living hell. Intelligent and uncompromising, CENTIGRADE won Best Narrative Short at Cinequest Film Festival, Best Short at New Hampshire Film Festival, Best Actor (Colin Cunningham) at Method Festival and five Leo Awards (British Columbia Film Awards), including Best Short Drama, Best Male Performance in a Short Drama and Best Direction in a Short Drama. It was also nominated for Best Short Film at Method Festival and Best Emerging Director (Colin Cunningham) at Vancouver International Film Festival. CENTIGRADE has also received official selections from Cannes Short Film Corner, Festival Des Films Du Monde, Jackson Hole Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Film Festival and has earned a coveted Academy Awards qualifying spot.

CENTIGRADE was written and directed by its lead actor, Colin Cunningham, and produced by Madison Graie.

For more information, contact:

Elevation PR
(Elevation Public Relations)
T: 1.888.214.4383
E: info(at)elevationpr.com
W: http://www.elevationpr.com

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centigrade colin cunningham madison graie vancouver acting short film itunes oscar awards canadian film scene acting pr short film festivals

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