We all know that the Canadian feature film business has a long way to go.

We have a labyrinthine infrastructure, pitiful distribution, no money for promotion (which makes or breaks a picture's success), and completely lack any kind of star system. Well the Government of Canada is launching a new initiative to ensure that our country has a brighter cinematic future. We need more triumphs like The Red Violin.

The Canadian Feature Film Policy "signals a major shift in the federal government's support of Canadian feature films." Rather than focussing on building an industry (which we've obviously got - witness all the Hollywood films being shot north of the border), the new policy's aim is on building audiences.

Cultural bureaucrats spent more than two years talking to industry reps, film experts and members of the movie going public, to determine what was needed to succeed. They arrived at four clear objectives:

"Develop and retain talented creators. Foster the quality and diversity of Canadian feature films. Build larger audiences at home and abroad for Canadian feature films. Preserve and disseminate our collection of Canadian feature films for audiences today and tomorrow."

So how are they going to do it? Here's the skinny straight from the horse's mouth:

"The new Canadian Feature Film Policy addresses each of these goals by refocusing the public investment in Canada's feature film industry using a comprehensive script to screen approach to funding. It establishes the Canada Feature Film Fund to provide assistance for screenwriting, production, marketing and other promotional activities. It also introduces a new way of supporting the industry by taking a performance-based approach to funding Canadian producers and distributors."

And that's not all. The policy allows for extra money and resources to help foster professional, creative development. (Gee, does this mean they're actually going to help some new voices get their movies made or do Robert Lantos and Patricia Rozema get to go Cannes together?)

Plus, the policy plans on making sure that Canadians are ensured access to indigenous films. They're aiming to snatch 5% of the domestic box office in five years. What I think this last promise means is that the policy will try to break the stranglehold American films currently have in the Canadian box office. I'd be mighty curious to find out how they plan to make this one work.

And now to what you've all been waiting for…The dispersal of cash. "The Government of Canada will invest $15 million in 2000-01 and $50 million annually beginning in April, 2001, to implement the new policy. This will approximately double the government's total annual investment in Canadian feature films - bringing a greater diversity of Canadian voices to cinemas in every corner of the country and other parts of the globe."

I think it's great the government is trying to up our cultural ante. And the $50 million sounds good. But will it be enough to properly foster and promote our own product, and more important, will it be enough to help us step out of the shadows of Hollywood South?