Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Ashley McKenzie talks to Film Comment about the making of Werewolf

Posted: 13 Mar 2018 12:01 PM PDT

Ashley McKenzie (NSI Drama Prize) recently talked to Film Comment about the making of her award-winning debut feature Werewolf.

Read the interview and get Ashley’s perspective on how location influences atmosphere, working with non-professional actors, and incorporating anti-scenic Cape Breton into the film.

Werewolf depicts a couple struggling with methadone treatment and its impact on their lives while living in a small town.

NSI nominated Werewolf for the Telefilm Canada Micro-Budget Production Program in 2015.

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Award wins for NSI Features First-developed films Adventures in Public School & Venus

Posted: 13 Mar 2018 11:56 AM PDT

NSI Features First-developed Adventures in Public School (pictured) from Josh Epstein and Kyle Rideout won audience choice feature film at the Omaha Film Festival which wrapped up on Sunday.

Eisha Marjara and Joe Balass’s film Venus, also developed through NSI Features First, won best narrative feature film (drama) at Cinequest.

Also at Cinequest, The Go-Getters from Jeremy Lalonde and Jordan Walker (both NSI Totally Television) won best narrative feature film (comedy).

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NSI Features First is a development training launch pad for producer/writer teams looking to produce their first or second feature film with strong commercial appeal.

NSI Features First 2018 is funded by Presenting Sponsor Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsors Entertainment One, Super Channel, Corus Entertainment and Breakthrough Entertainment; and Service Sponsor William F. White. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

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Mayumi Yoshida wins Matrix Award at Vancouver International Women in Film Festival

Posted: 13 Mar 2018 09:28 AM PDT

TELUS STORYHIVE digital short Akashi from Mayumi Yoshida won the Matrix Award for outstanding achievement in a short film over the weekend at the Vancouver International Women in Film Festival.

Presented by Matrix Production Services, these awards are presented to the top three BC short films in the festival.

Akashi is about a woman who returns to Japan after her grandmother passes only to find her modern ways clash with the traditional values of her homeland.

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STORYHIVE is a community-powered funding program that allows members of the community to vote for their favourite projects.

The program allows content creators in British Columbia and Alberta to submit their story ideas to an online public platform.

NSI delivers mentoring through the STORYHIVE mentorship program in partnership with NSI.

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Tomorrow’s Shadows by Geordie Sabbagh + 2 more films in this week’s NSI Online Short Film Festival

Posted: 13 Mar 2018 09:27 AM PDT

Three new films in this week’s NSI Online Short Film Festival from directors Geordie Sabbagh, Jonathan MacPherson and Samuel Larson.

Tomorrow’s Shadows

Tomorrow’s Shadows | Sci-fi/Horror, 7:07, English, ON, 2016 | Director: Geordie Sabbagh

Where futures are known and happiness is guaranteed by G.O.D., a mother is given a choice – her child or her perfect future.

The Wake Up

The Wake Up | Drama, 12:08, English, BC, 2014 | Director: Jonathan MacPherson

Bleary-eyed, Mike wakes up one morning to find a strange man in his kitchen eating his cereal and drinking his coffee, as he calmly states: “I’m Carl. I’ll be replacing you today.”

Oil Men

Oil Men | Drama, 6:36, English, ON, 2017 | Director: Samuel Larson

Oil Men is the first film to share the story of Canada’s controversial oil sands through the lens of female characters.

Leanne Romanko, a young oil and gas chemist, has her conscience tested when she must decide between environment and economy, and what will hold the brightest future for the one she loves most.

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

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