Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Congratulations to producer Shannon Fewster (NSI Drama Prize) on being named a finalist in the 2018 Cayle Chernin Awards (media) for her work on web series The Girl Code.

Shannon created the series to encourage teen girls in STEM subjects by giving them comedic role models of girls who code, invent and make mischief.

The Cayle Chernin Awards are presented to emerging or transitioning female artists to assist in the creation of a new work. The awards gala takes place on May 16 in Yorkville.

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Three new films in this week’s NSI Online Short Film Festival from directors Martyna Koleniec, Shikher Kalyan and Christopher Angus.

Alien Scars

Alien Scars | Music video, 4:58, English, MB, 2018 | Director: Martyna Koleniec

A narrative music video, Alien Scars tells the story of a boy and his childhood pal and of finding comfort through a powerful memory.

John vs. The Parents

John vs. The Parents | Comedy, 10:30, English, ON, 2017 | Director: Shikher Kalyan

John, an unsuccessful man-child and failed musician, comes up with a perfect plan to get money from his wealthy, unsupportive father.

John soon finds out that his father has some skeletons hidden in his closet, and the plan quickly spirals out of control.

The Urge 2 – It Lies Within

The Urge 2 – It Lies Within | Animation, 8:00, English, MB, 2014 | Director: Christopher Angus

During a bizarre series of events, a vampire discovers that harmless forest creatures, and even his own body, have turned against him.

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Call for films / submit by June 4

We’re accepting films through FilmFreeway until Monday, June 4, 2018.

If your film is programmed, you have a chance of winning the A&E Short Filmmakers Award for best film. We accept films released after January 1, 2013.

All NSI Online Short Film Festival winners receive a complimentary Friend membership for the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and are qualified to be nominated for a Canadian Screen Award (if award criteria are met).

See the most recent winners.

Your film must be less than 30 mins long. Drama, comedy, animation, documentary, sci-fi, horror, music video and experimental are all eligible and must be made by a Canadian writer, director or producer.

Submit your film

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

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NSI Features First-developed Adventures in Public School (previously known as Public Schooled), the acclaimed comedic feature film from writer/director Kyle Rideout and writer/producer Josh Epstein, celebrates its theatrical release this week in select theatres across Canada.

The film opens on April 27 in select cities with additional screenings on April 28 and May 1 – a total of 11 Canadian cities including Winnipeg, Victoria and Ottawa. Find your city.

“We’re so excited to bring this film to the public after a successful festival run over the last year. The acclaim and awards it’s received are wonderful, and now we get to introduce Canadians to our film and its talented and charming cast,” said Kyle and Josh. “Again, big thanks to the National Screen Institute for giving this project its start.”

Adventures in Public School, developed through NSI Features First in 2014, tells the story of socially awkward Liam (Daniel Doheny) who has been homeschooled his entire life. When he falls in love with a popular one-legged girl he abandons his mother’s suffocating love and enrolls in public school, getting a crash course in sex, drugs and social mayhem. Judy Greer (Arrested Development, The Descendants), comedian Russell Peters and Grace Park (Hawaii 5-0) lead the cast.

“It’s great to see Kyle and Josh bring Adventures in Public School to an even wider audience now with several festival wins under their belts,” said Shelly Quade, NSI Features First program manager. “The National Screen Institute is proud to be one of the vital first stops in making this film a reality.”

Previously, the comedy had its world premiere at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and was selected by TIFF as one of Canada’s Top 10 Features of 2017.

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NSI Features First is funded by Presenting Sponsor Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsor Super Channel, Corus Entertainment and Breakthrough Entertainment; Provincial Sponsor Creative BC through the Daryl Duke and William Vince Scholarship Fund; and Service Sponsor William F. White. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

NSI Features First 2014 was funded by Presenting Sponsor Telefilm Canada; Program Partners The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation and Shaw Media; Supporting Sponsors Entertainment One; Super Channel and Corus Entertainment; Industry Partner The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (ACCT) and Provincial Sponsor Alberta Film.

About NSI Features First

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. Teams meet with top-level experts throughout the program and receive $7,500 towards the final development and packaging of their feature film project. Since NSI Features began in 1997, one out of four films developed through the course have been produced.

About the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI)

Renowned for having given many emerging filmmakers, television writers and producers their first breaks, the National Screen Institute provides training and production support through courses like NSI Totally Television, CBC New Indigenous Voices presented by NSI, NSI Features First, NSI Business for Producers, NSI IndigiDocs and TELUS STORYHIVE Web Series and Digital Shorts.

NSI also offers exposure through the NSI Online Short Film Festival and provides resources and support to those in the film, television and digital media industries at nsi-canada.ca.

All media enquiries

Laura Friesen, Manager, Communications & Alumni Relations
Tel: 204.957.2999 or email: laura.friesen@nsi-canada.ca

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