Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

On National Canadian Film Day, join me in supporting the filmmakers who create our stories

Posted: 17 Apr 2019 08:13 AM PDT

Danishka Esterhazy on the set of NSI Features First-developed Level 16 with actress Celina Martin

Happy National Canadian Film Day!

Today is all about celebrating Canadian movies and empowering the creators behind them. In the words of National Canadian Film Day (NCFD) themselves, film – more than any other medium – has the power to capture the soul of a nation.

I feel lucky to tell the kinds of stories I want to tell on the big screen. My film, Level 16, was a labour of love, and NSI’s training was an important part of the journey to getting it made. I want to make sure other creators get the same kind of support when they translate the stories in their heads to award-winning films on the screen.

NSI-developed projects like mine reflect all kinds of perspectives and experiences. They show that Canadianness is not one singular thing. They’re as diverse as the people who create them, and that’s vital. We need to continue making sure Canadian filmmakers have a place to develop their unique stories and they reach as wide an audience as possible.

When we give to NSI, we create those opportunities for new voices, making artistic careers possible and audiences across Canada proud of the stories we tell. I want to get to a place where our films are as widely seen and loved as their American or European counterparts – that every day is like National Canadian Film Day.

A donation to NSI helps make that happen. Together, we make amazing Canadian stories come to life.

• • •

To celebrate Canadian Film Day, Reel Canada, NSI and Urban Shaman Gallery co-present a free screening of Angelique’s Isle in Winnipeg this evening from directors Michelle Derosier and Marie-Hélène Cousineau. Catch the film at the Park Theatre at 7 p.m. The film’s co-director Michelle Derosier will be in attendance and a Q&A will be held after the screening.

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Documentary Finding Fukue wins best film in NSI Online Short Film Festival

Posted: 16 Apr 2019 10:14 AM PDT

Congratulations to directors Daniel Roher and Edmund Stenson, and producer Felicity Justrabo whose short documentary Finding Fukue is the latest winner of the $1,250 A&E Short Filmmakers Award for best film in the NSI Online Short Film Festival, run by the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI).

The team also receives a complimentary Friend membership to the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.

In Finding Fukue, a woman who spent part of her childhood in Japan, returns to the country to try and solve the mystery of her long-lost friend with whom she lost contact almost 30 years ago.

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is a year-round Canadian short film showcase with new films added every week. Since launching in 2008, the festival has programmed hundreds of films and awarded over $125K to Canadian media artists. Many of the films are available to watch in the festival archives.

The latest award selection was made by an independent jury: filmmaker and programmer Trudy Stewart, Calgary International Film Festival and Calgary Underground Film Festival programmer Brennan Tilley, and recent A&E Short Filmmakers Award winner Dylan Rhys Howard.

Our jurors had this to say about Finding Fukue:



Trudy Stewart: “A well told, captivating story about the unbreakable bonds of friendship. Heartfelt, touching and impactful, this short documentary follows the reunification of two long-lost childhood friends in Japan.”

Brennan Tilley: “A moving documentary about the importance of childhood friendships and the meaningful bonds that remain. It’s a film that will resonate with anyone who has had a short but deeply-felt connection with someone.”

Dylan Rhys Howard: “An expertly crafted short documentary that highlights a simple-yet-powerful story of lost connection and friendship. It’s guaranteed to leave you feeling uplifted – a poignant reminder of humanity’s most endearing traits.”

Finding Fukue producer Felicity Justrabo said, “We were so honoured to hear that our film was chosen to receive the A&E Short Filmmakers Award. It has been incredibly moving to see the different ways this film has resonated with audiences around the globe. We are thankful to everyone who contributed to the film and gave us the support to share this story.”

About the jury

Trudy Stewart is a Cree writer, director, producer and film programmer based in Regina, Saskatchewan. She is currently writing her first feature film, The Women of Julia House.

Brennan Tilley is shorts programmer for Calgary International Film Festival and lead programmer for Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF) and CUFF.Docs. When not watching films, he’s probably just grabbing chips and will be right back.

Dylan Rhys Howard is a Canadian filmmaker whose work has been described as “quiet and upfront, honest, real, rich, fertile, built on characters with depth and complexity.” He lives and works in Edmonton, Alberta.

Call for films / submit by June 14

Film submissions for the NSI Online Short Film Festival are being accepted through FilmFreeway until Friday, June 14, 2019.

If your film is programmed, you have a chance of winning the $1,250 A&E Short Filmmakers Award. We accept films released after January 1, 2014.

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

Submissions must be less than 30 mins. 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, CBC Gem, Super Channel; Award Sponsor A&E Television Networks; and Industry Partner the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

All media enquiries

Laura Friesen, Manager, Communications & Alumni Relations
Phone: 204.957.2999 or email: laura.friesen@nsi-canada.ca

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