Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Sandi Somers on how NSI Features First offers a uniquely tailored training experience

Posted: 28 Aug 2018 01:06 PM PDT

Are you thinking about applying for NSI Features First? We recently talked to some of our program alumni to get their thoughts on how the program changed their careers and why they think you should apply.

Current student and Hailey Rose (formerly known as Wilting Iris) writer Sandi Somers (pictured) shared her thoughts about how NSI Features First is a tailored training experience and what participants can bring to the course in order to make the most of it.

What were your expectations for NSI Features First going into it? Did these change over the course of the program?

I didn’t quite know what to expect, but I knew NSI Features First was there to support me in getting my script ready for shooting.

Over the course of the program I realized that the support was really tailored to each of the individual teams. We were all in different places with our scripts and required different mentorship – that’s what I found to be unique. Yes, we had the agenda of working with story editors to help advance the script, and Scott (Lepp, Hailey Rose producer) was interacting with potential distributors and companies, but to be able to receive assistance for our specific project was invaluable.

Our project is a co-production, and meeting the right people and companies from Eastern Canada was something we could work on with NSI Features First.

Do you have any tips or advice for folks thinking of applying to the course?

My advice would be to have a strong connection with your teammate. Making a feature takes a lot of dedication and perseverance, and you spend a lot of time with your co-worker and being aligned is helpful.

Having a good understanding of what it takes to get a feature made helps. The further you are in the process, the more you can get out of the program. And having a script that is unique and tells a great story helps too.

Why would you recommend NSI Features First?

I’d recommend it because NSI Features First and the course faculty want to see your script go into production and they will help you in any way possible. You have access to story editors, producers, financers, distributors, agents and more.

I also had a remarkable time at the Toronto Screenwriting Conference, which was made possible by the program. I feel anyone who wants to make a feature or get going on their second one could benefit from NSI Features First.

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NSI recently hosted a question and answer webinar with alumni from the program who shared their knowledge, tips and advice. Watch the webinar.

Find out more and apply for the course by September 14, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. CST.

NSI Features First is funded by Presenting Sponsor Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsors Super Channel, Corus Entertainment and Breakthrough Entertainment; Provincial Sponsor Creative BC through the Daryl Duke and William Vince Scholarship Fund; and Industry Supporters William F. White and Deluxe. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

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Tracey Deer’s new project Beans gets support from CFC Features in partnership with Women in View

Posted: 28 Aug 2018 12:27 PM PDT

The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) and Women in View (WIV) recently announced the two projects that will receive support through CFC Features. Beans, from co-writer and director Tracey Deer (NSI Storytellers, Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program), has made the cut.

Beans is a heart-wrenching coming-of-age story told from the perspective of a 12-year-old girl during the Oka Crisis. Award-winning Mohawk filmmaker Tracey Deer, co-creator of hit TV series Mohawk Girls, will direct the script, which she co-wrote with screenwriter and story editor Meredith Vuchnich.

This is the first time that CFC Features has partnered with WIV to gather filmmaker and project nominations from culturally and regionally diverse women creators. A special advisory committee made up of well-respected Canadian women in film assisted with the final selections.

The process was based on the innovative and highly successful Five in Focus model championed by WIV, which encourages leaders and decision-makers to actively support media creators who deserve greater opportunities.

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Entre les lignes (Between the lines) by Sebastian Furtado + 2 more films in this week’s NSI Online Short Film Fest

Posted: 28 Aug 2018 09:17 AM PDT

Three new films in this week’s NSI Online Short Film Festival from directors Sebastian Furtado, Jennifer Walden and Bita Joudaki.

Entre les lignes (Between the lines)

Entre les lignes (Between the lines) | Experimental, 6:34, No dialogue, QC, 2018 | Director: Sebastian Furtado

A portrait of Montreal dance crew Corpus Collective, highlighting their ability to move as a single organism.

Painted Girl

Painted Girl | Drama, 13:08, English, NT, 2015 | Director: Jennifer Walden

When Maddie receives an unexpected package in the mail, her world is turned upside down. Then a startling discovery inside the package gives her the tools to fix it.

Rachel

Rachel | Drama, 8:09, English, ON, 2017 | Director: Bita Joudaki

The first few days after a break-up, Rachel finds comfort in destructive habits.

Rachel is a meditation on loneliness, endings and beginnings.

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Call for films / submit by September 4

We’re accepting films through FilmFreeway until Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

If your film is programmed, you have a chance of winning the A&E Short Filmmakers Award for best film. We accept films released after January 1, 2013.

All NSI Online Short Film Festival winners receive a complimentary Friend membership for the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and are qualified to be nominated for a Canadian Screen Award (if award criteria are met).

See the most recent winners.

Your film must be less than 30 mins long. Drama, comedy, animation, documentary, sci-fi, horror, music video and experimental are all eligible and must be made by a Canadian writer, director or producer.

Submit your film

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is made possible through the support of Festival Partner Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsors Corus Entertainment, Blue Ant Media and Breakthrough Entertainment; Award Sponsor A&E Television Networks; and Industry Partner the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

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