Steven and four other filmmakers were chosen by an independent jury for the live pitch competition which will be broadcast on Saturday, July 24 at 12 p.m. CDT during GFF.
Finalists will have three minutes to pitch their short film idea to a jury of industry professionals and a live online audience, followed by a five-minute question period from the jury.
The jury will select one filmmaker to receive $10K in production funds through RBC, mentorship from the National Screen Institute, one-year membership with On Screen Manitoba, a $5K Equipment Rental Grant Certificate courtesy of William F. White International, a $500 equipment credit and free membership for Winnipeg Film Group and a premiere screening of their completed film at Gimli Film Festival 2022.
Watch the pitch competition for free on GFF’s website and vote for your favourite finalist.
South Asian producer, Alex Sangha (NSI Business for Producers), was featured on CBC discussing his new LGBTQ documentary and his personal struggles surrounding coming out to his family.
Alex’s documentary, Emergence: Out of the Shadows developed through NSI Business for Producers, follows Kayden, Jag and Amar as they come out to their conservative, South Asian families. The film offers comfort, compassion and inspiration to individuals and communities struggling with acceptance.
The film was directed by Vinay Giridhar of Surrey, BC who is making his directorial debut.
Alex told CBC he hopes the film will ease the coming out process for many queer people and their families.
Emergence: Out of the Shadows has been entered into film festivals around the world and will premiere at Kwantlen Polytechnic University this fall on National Coming Out Day, October 11.
Read the CBC article to learn more about Alex’s story.
The day features three events celebrating different Canadian shorts and features, followed by Q&As with industry delegates.
Congratulations to the alumni with films featured at NFMLA:
Midnight Shine – Lonely Boy – directed by Cliff Hokanson (TELUS STORYHIVE) Trashed – written and directed by Alyson Richards (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Features First) Receiver – written, directed and produced by Cavan Campbell (NSI Drama Prize) Mutts (Clebs) – cinematography by Anna Cooley (TELUS STORYHIVE) Beans – directed and co-written by Tracey Deer (NSI Storytellers, Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program)
