Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Congratulations to JJ Neepin (NSI IndigiDocs) who has been selected for Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) CBC Films Talent Development Award, a $10,000 story development prize supported by CBC Films.

The prize covers story and leadership program tuition plus a fee for a story consultant. JJ was selected for Luminous, her debut feature about an Indigenous woman who has the power of second-sight.

JJ shares the prize with Meeshelle Neal. Both will be matched with story consultants to help them take their scripts to the next draft.

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First Contact by executive producer/producer Vanessa Loewen (NSI Global Marketing), executive producer Stephanie Scott (NSI Storytellers) and director Jeff Newman (NSI associate faculty) was just featured at the 2019 世界公視大展精選 Best of INPUT in Tapei, Taiwan.

This event showcases films from around the globe to help shed light on important human rights issues happening around the world.

Canadians’ opinions about the Indigenous people of this country are formed without any knowledge of the culture’s true history or firsthand experience of the present-day communities. This may explain the prevalence of racist, unsympathetic and generally prejudicial attitudes that are often directed towards Indigenous peoples.

First Contact takes six Canadians on a 28-day journey intended to challenge these attitudes and shed a light on the true Indigenous experience. The travellers, all with ignorant views about Indigenous people, have been invited to leave their everyday lives behind and embark on a unique journey, travelling deep into the Indigenous communities throughout Canada including the nation’s capital, Algonquin Anishanabek Territory, Labrador, Saskatchewan and the Yukon.

It is a journey that will challenge their perceptions and confront their prejudices about a world they never imagined they would see. This exploration of the true Indigenous experience in Canada will change the participants’ lives forever.

First Contact is streaming now on APTN lumi

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At the National Screen Institute, we’re blessed to see firsthand the difference training makes in the lives of storytellers. On our website throughout December we’re sharing impact stories from many of our talented alumni who’ve told us how NSI training transformed their lives and careers.

Today’s featured alumnus is producer Angus Swantee who, in 2010, made The Fiddler’s Reel through NSI Drama Prize alongside writer/director partner Marc Almon.

Angus is a filmmaker living on the east coast. His films have screened at over 100 festivals around the world and won a number of awards, including the Canadian Comedy Award for best short film.

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How did your training through NSI help you get to the place you’re at in your career today?

I learned things at NSI that were ahead-of-the-curve, and that I hadn’t experienced before.

Completing NSI training opened doors for me. By adding it to applications for other programs or for funding, it gave decision makers the reassurance I had the skills to complete larger projects.

What was most memorable or helpful about NSI training?

I found the training to be an all-encompassing, immersive experience. I learned so much about all aspects of filmmaking from telling better stories, to finding funding sources, to marketing, to directing actors.

One of the most memorable moments was the opportunity to run auditions. This process was new to me but it’s an activity that’s crucial to the film. Learning how to work with actors in that moment has been helpful many times since and, most importantly, has helped me to create better films.

Did you make enduring connections with peers and industry folks?

Yes. The NSI Drama Prize program was intensive and everyone quickly got to know each other. We all worked together to improve each others projects; it was a very supportive environment.

Have you continued to work with any of those people?

Geography (and tax credits) made that difficult but I’ve got a regular team I work with on most projects.

What advice or encouragement would you give a prospective applicant considering NSI programs?

Start preparing your materials as early as possible to enable you to provide your best work. But, most importantly, complete and submit the application. Don’t let things slip by! Persistence and tenacity will get you far.

What has your career trajectory looked like between when you completed training and now?

I completed two more programs. The first was the (now defunct) CBC-Film Nova Scotia Bridge Award where I produced the short film Game with writer/director Josh MacDonald. The other was Film5 with the Atlantic Filmmaker’s Cooperative (AFCOOP) where I directed the short Torturous. The films screened at over 100 film festivals worldwide and won a number of awards including the Canadian Comedy Award for best short. After that I was a producer for the Independent Production Fund web series Everyone’s Famous which was broadcast on CBC television.

What was the most transformative part of your learning experience?

It gave me a new approach and mindset for filmmaking. I learned things at NSI that I had not been aware of prior, and it drove home to me how organizations like NSI can fill gaps in the learning and growth process, as well as the need for content creators to continue to learn and adapt.

What project(s) are you currently working on?

Most recently, I co-wrote/co-directed a short film called Grave Sight that screened at Toronto After Dark Film Festival and is in the midst of its festival run. Currently, I’m working towards that elusive feature film deal while refining another draft of a horror/comedy. Wish me luck!

Where can people find out more about your work online?

You can find some of the shorts I’ve worked on at my YouTube channel.

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Keep the story going and donate today

At NSI, we’re passionate about nurturing storytellers because stories connect us all.

Now we’re in the giving season, please consider a donation to support our students as part of your charitable giving. Big or small, your gift will provide value-added essentials that make their training experience really special.

For as little as $10, you can help fund an item from the NSI Gift Guide. Things like a weekly bus pass, the cost of hiring a van for a student trip, food for a traditional feast or help hiring a mentor are all ways you can help.

Tax receipts are issued for all gifts. Thank you for considering a donation.

The post NSI alumnus Angus Swantee: completing NSI training opened doors for me appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

Three new films in this week’s NSI Online Short Film Festival from directors Candace Maracle, Pierce Csurgo and Catharine Parke.

Yakonnhéhkwen (It Sustains Her)

Yakonnhéhkwen (It Sustains Her) | Documentary, 16:49, English, ON, 2019 | Director: Candace Maracle

One woman’s journey from the depression that brought her to the brink of suicide, to the realization of her value as an Onkwehonwe woman and artist.

Takeoff

Takeoff | Drama, 10:01, English, ON, 2018 | Director: Pierce Csurgo

On the eve of his departure, an unhappy young man faces the explosive fallout his decision to travel causes in his relationship.

Lifelines

Lifelines | Drama, 8:30, English, BC, 2018 | Director: Catharine Parke

Overwhelmed by the trials and tribulations of high school, Arielle finds refuge in a dangerous habit – until her best friend discovers her secret.

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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 awarded over $125K to Canadian media artists. Over 1,000 films are available to watch in the archives.

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 Sponsors A&E Television Networks, Directors Guild of Canada; and Industry Partner the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

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