Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Alex Bailey: NSI IndigiDocs provided a supportive community that valued my independent voice

Posted: 15 Dec 2020 08:11 AM PST

Storytelling is more important than ever as we all face the unique challenges this year has brought us.

Stories entertain, inspire and transform. They remind us of where we come from and where we can go. We need more stories to free our imaginations and open our hearts to create a path of understanding and healing.

To mark the season of giving during December, we’re sharing impact stories from our alumni and board members to show the power of story in action.

Current NSI students are blessed by the commitment of NSI’s Board of Directors – 100% of whom have donated to NSI’s annual fund. Please join them in supporting our students by donating today and making the power of story even more powerful.

Today’s impact story comes from Alex Bailey – NSI IndigiDocs alumna.

Alex’s IndigiDocs film, êmîcêtôsêt: Many Bloodlines, has been celebrated at film festivals across North America. Most recently, it was named as one of Canada’s Top Ten Shorts of 2020 at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Alex receives encouragement and inspiration from her NSI mentors Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and Shane Belcourt – even after the program concluded.

Alex is proud to be part of a community that wants to see her succeed.

• • •

If you could describe your experience with NSI in three words what would they be?

Uplifting, educational and impactful.

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

My training through NSI IndigiDocs helped me launch my career in documentary filmmaking.

NSI IndigiDocs created meaningful connections and provided the support that allowed me to make a film that is reflective of the type of work I want to continue creating. This film [êmîcêtôsêt: Many Bloodlines] has given me the opportunity to continue working on projects I am passionate about.

How did your instructors, mentors and peers influence you to become a better storyteller?

Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and Shane Belcourt went above and beyond as mentors during NSI IndigiDocs. Not only did they offer incredible support, insight and technical wisdom during the program, but they continue to support my journey as a filmmaker a whole year after the program has ended.

NSI IndigiDocs has built a beautiful, supportive, caring community that I am proud to be a member of.

There are so many mentors, instructors and peers in the program that have been incredibly generous with their knowledge that I could not list them all here. From learning about their lived experiences, professional advice and forming lifelong friendships I am so thankful for my time at NSI.

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

Apply with a story close to your heart! Submit what feels right to you.

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

Since completing the program I’ve transitioned from working in commercial film to documentary and narrative filmmaking.

What was the most transformative part of your learning experience?

The most transformative part of my learning experience was being part of a supportive community that wants everyone to succeed, and values independent voices.

NSI is a space that focuses on developing careers, and supports the participants in reaching their goals in an extremely personalized way, from carving a career path to tangible next steps. Being able to work in a space that helped to prioritize my goals and the goals of the other participants was very beneficial.

What skills did you acquire in your course that you did not have before?

Working closely with broadcasters and funding bodies was a skill I acquired during NSI IndigiDocs. I’m very grateful for the opportunities available through broadcasters and funding bodies. NSI mentors generously shared how they successfully applied for funding and it has made all the difference for me.

What project(s) are you currently working on?

I am currently working on a photography series exploring confined spaces, a short documentary coming out in spring 2021 and a feature narrative, dramatic script that I hope to see come to fruition in 2021.

Where can people find out more about your work online?

Visit my website, or check out my Instagram @alexfbailey.

What is your favourite Canadian film, and why?

It would be difficult for me to choose one Canadian film, as there are many.

I’m thankful and inspired by the trailblazing work of Indigenous female filmmakers such Alanis Obomsawin, Amanda Strong and Elle-Máijá.

Not only is their work strong, authentic and inspiring, their dedication to carving a path for other folks to tell their stories has opened many doors and opportunities for filmmakers like myself. It is their voices, strength and dedication to others that is inspiring.

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Creators of NSI Totally Television show sign option agreement with Buck Productions

Posted: 14 Dec 2020 02:19 PM PST

Ian Bawa (left) and John Titley (right)

Congratulations to John Titley and Ian Bawa (NSI Totally Television), who recently signed an option agreement with Sean Buckley and Emma Fleury of Buck Productions for their 2019 NSI Totally Television project, The Lucky Ones.

The Lucky Ones, written by John and produced by Ian, is an anthology series about the dark side of the lottery.

John and Ian worked on their project throughout the pandemic, and they are looking to pitch to Canadian and US broadcasters in the new year.

The NSI Totally Television program has successfully produced six series.

NSI Totally Television is made possible by Presenting Sponsor Bell Media; Program Partner Telefilm Canada; and Supporting Sponsors Super Channel, Corus Entertainment and CBC Gem; Provincial Sponsor Creative BC through the Daryl Duke and William Vince Scholarship Fund. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

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Call for submissions: Yorkton Film Festival early bird pricing ends December 18

Posted: 14 Dec 2020 01:33 PM PST

Submit your projects now to Yorkton Film Festival (YFF) and qualify for early bird pricing.

YFF submissions must be from Canadian filmmakers or producers, 60 minutes and under in length and produced between February 2019 and January 2021. Films will be submitted based on 17 categories. For a full list of entry rules, please check the YFF website.

Early bird pricing is $75, with regular submission price at $95. Student submissions and early bird pricing are being accepted until December 18. Regular submissions will be accepted until January 31, 2021.

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Five alumni projects receive funding through Harold Greenberg Fund’s Script Development Program

Posted: 14 Dec 2020 01:05 PM PST

Congratulations to the five alumni projects selected to receive support from Harold Greenberg Fund’s Script Development Program.

The projects will be supported through various stages of the scriptwriting process.

The Harold Greenberg Fund aims to support the development of Canadian dramatic features through story optioning, script development and short-to-feature development. Since 1986, they have invested over $85 million in the Canadian film and television industry.

The Harold Greenberg Fund also announced Anand Ramayya (NSI Totally Television) has joined the selection committee as an industry juror.

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Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers joins National Screen Institute as co-manager of IndigiDocs training program

Posted: 14 Dec 2020 10:06 AM PST

The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) is proud to announce that acclaimed filmmaker Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Bihttoš (Rebel), c̓əsnaʔəm, the city before the city, The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open) will join the organization to co-manage the NSI IndigiDocs short documentary training program alongside Kaya Wheeler. Elle-Máijá will also serve as director advisor for the program.

NSI IndigiDocs is a two-phase, part-time, online program offering customized training for Indigenous filmmakers. Applications are currently being accepted until December 28, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. ET. Find out more and apply.

Elle-Máijá and Kaya will guide up to eight students as they learn about writing, producing and directing, and develop a script for a 10-minute documentary film.

Elle-Máijá’s films have screened at various international film festivals, and she is recognized for her work rooted in social justice. Accolades include a Kodak Image Award, the Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award as an emerging filmmaker. She was named one of CBC’s “Young Indigenous Leaders: 5 Under 30 To Watch in 2015 and her autobiographical short film Bihttoš (Rebel) was named one of the Top Ten short films at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival. It was also awarded best documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival in 2015.

At the 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival, Elle-Máijá and co-director Kathleen Hepburn received the Best BC Film Award for The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open. She also won the BC Emerging Filmmaker Award, Toronto Film Critics Association and Vancouver Film Critics Circle best Canadian film awards as well as two Canadian Screen Awards for best directing and writing.

Elle-Máijá is a member of the Kainai First Nation (Blood Tribe, Blackfoot Confederacy) as well as Sámi from Norway.

“We’re very excited to have Elle-Máijá join the NSI IndigiDocs team,” said Joy Loewen, NSI CEO. “She’s been intimately involved with this training program in the past and has incredible experience to share so it feels like a natural step for her to serve in this role.”

“It is an honour to be working with NSI in this capacity,” said Elle-Máijá. “There is no shortage of Indigenous talent in this country and I look forward to supporting the work of emerging Indigenous voices through the IndigiDocs program.”

Renowned filmmaker Shane Belcourt (Amplify, Red Rover) is the story advisor. Lisa Meeches is NSI’s Indigenous training programs advisor.

NSI IndigiDocs 2020 is funded by Program Partners APTN, Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and RBC Emerging Artists Project; Indigenous Training Programs Partner Directors Guild of Canada (DGC); Boot Camp Presenting Sponsor Manitoba Film & Music; Strategic Sponsor documentary Channel; Supporting Sponsors Telefilm Canada, Super Channel, CBC Gem, Corus Entertainment and A&E Networks; Provincial Sponsors Manitoba Film & Music and Creative BC through the Daryl Duke and William Vince Scholarship Fund, Creative Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association and Northwest Territories Film Commission; Industry Partner the National Film Board of Canada; Industry Supporters imagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival, Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and Service Sponsors Line 21 Media and iSplice Films. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

About the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI)

The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) is a charitable, not-for-profit organization. Charitable registration: 103836722 RR0001.

Renowned for having given many content creators their first breaks, NSI provides customized training, mentorship and production support through programs like NSI Totally Television, CBC New Indigenous Voices, NSI Business for Producers, NSI IndigiDocs, NSI New Northern Voices and TELUS STORYHIVE.

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