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NSI’s Shelly Quade attends WIFT-AT’s Women Making Waves Conference

Posted: 06 Mar 2017 10:23 AM PST

It was an incredible feeling to be a part of the Women Making Waves Conference which took place in Halifax, NS, March 3 – 5. The conference, in its seventh year, is presented by Women in Film and Television Atlantic (WIFT-AT).

I finally got to meet Jan Miller, co-founder of the National Screen Institute. She was as wonderful and enthusiastic in person as she had been on our phone calls. Jan ran NSI Features First from Halifax back in the day, and still has a soft spot for all things NSI.

As the WIFT-AT founding chair, Jan coordinated the weekend celebration of women and industry.

My morning workshop was with Christina Piovesan, award-winning producer and founder of First Generation Films in Toronto. Christina’s vision is to tell stories about her own experience as a first generation Canadian, and to share her commitment to the development and production of culturally diverse and commercially viable projects.

We got some great practical advice on producing. Christina did a case study on one of her first features, Amreeka (a film I loved which was filmed in my hometown of Winnipeg). I think we all walked away with a great sense of how everyone starts out not knowing it all but, through experience and creativity, we can find success.

Christina reminded producers to think of themselves as global and not just Canadian, to learn the value of their film and also how patchwork financing works. Christina is a true role model for up-and-coming producers. I recommend you attend any session where she is speaking.

The afternoon was spent in a workshop with Robin Smith, president of Kinosmith. He led a distribution workshop exploring financing, going to market and understanding sales options. Essential information for filmmakers navigating the world of sales and distribution. I learned a lot of things that I’ll pass on to our NSI Features First producers at boot camp in a couple weeks.

For example: without a strong marketing package or plan your film will NEVER get made, do the groundwork before talking to a distributor and create ‘want’ for your project but turn it into a need. Robin’s overall message was that professionalism is key. (Robin is a friend of NSI who has always been more than willing to present at our boot camps.)

I’ll savour and share my notes from the workshops. I feel rejuvenated to learn more about our ever-evolving industry. As a newly-transplanted Maritimer, I would love to spread the message of the great work we do at NSI, so please feel free to reach out.

Shelly is the program manager for NSI Features First. Reach her by email shelly.quade@nsi-canada.ca or phone 204-232-9755.

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