Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

The history of Wahbung, Our Tomorrows, and how it was a catalyst for First Nations peoples’ right to self-determination.

Creative team

Writer: Nicole Magne
Directors: Nicole Magne, David Robertson
Producer: Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (MFNERC)

Filmmakers’ statement

During the development of this film, we were taken on a wild ride as we began the research into the history of the Wahbung position paper.

We had heard rumours about a film that had been shot in 1971 called Wahbung. The film was purported to contain footage of the Manitoba Chiefs and events surrounding the signing of the position paper Wahbung, Our Tomorrows.

We spent several months trying to locate a copy of the film, and ultimately did find an original 16mm version, forgotten in a storage closet.

We were extremely lucky to be able to use this rare and important footage in Our Tomorrows Today. Without it, our story would not be as impactful because, with it, we can hear the thoughts and comments from those who were actually there and involved in these important events of Manitoba’s history.​

About Nicole Magne

Nicole Magne is a Winnipeg-based videographer and multi-disciplinary visual artist. For over a decade, she has specialized in producing educational video content.

This is Nicole’s first documentary film. Nicole has been employed as a multimedia developer for MFNERC since 2004, producing educational content for specialists within the organization, and creating promotional videos and other material for communities throughout the province.

Nicole studied video and media development, earning a diploma in digital multimedia technology from Red River College in 2004. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2006 with a bachelor of fine arts majoring in video.

About David Robertson

David Alexander Robertson, of Irish, Scottish, English and Cree heritage, is a graphic novelist and writer who has been recognized for his work in the field of Indigenous education and won the John Hirsch Award for most promising Manitoba writer in 2015.

David has created several bestselling graphic novels and was a contributor to the anthologies Manitowapow: Aboriginal Writings From the Land of Water, Moonshot: The Indigenous Comics Collection and Love Beyond Body, Space and Time. His work has been featured in CV2 and Prairie Fire. His first novel, The Evolution of Alice, was published in fall 2014.

David is currently the publishing and communications administrator at MFNERC where he has published numerous Indigenous titles and, most recently, co-directed the film Our Tomorrows, Today: Wahbung 1971.

The post Our Tomorrows, Today: Wahbung 1971 appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

Bree and Drew just broke up. Panicking to pack up their stuff before the movers arrive, they fall back on witty repartee to mask their true feelings as Drew tries to force Bree to take back the ring she never wanted.

Creative team

Writer: Amelia Wasserman
Directors/producers: Nick Wilson, Amelia Wasserman

Filmmakers’ statement

Full disclosure: we made this film together about our break-up, after our break-up. In hindsight maybe not the best idea but hey, it seemed like a good idea at the time!

We wanted to show a couple on their last legs who are choosing defensiveness and humour over honesty and vulnerability until they can’t mask their true feelings any longer.

About Nick Wilson

Nick Wilson is an award-winning director, cinematographer and editor whose most recent directing credits include the VICE documentary, Armed & Reasonable: Guns Nuts in Canada.

Other credits include his award-winning CBC documentary Prince of Pot: The US vs Marc Emery as well as the comedic short film The Floaters. He is currently developing his first feature film.

About Amelia Wasserman

Amelia Wasserman is a writer and producer with a long history in storytelling in various mediums.

In 2014, Amelia competed in CBC’s ComedyCoup Accelerator where her team placed top five with their digital series Charlie and Yoni #Lifeafter30. Since then she has written and produced a handful of comedic shorts, including The Floaters, which premiered at the Canadian Film Festival in 2015 and earned her an LA Shorts Award for best screenplay.

In 2017 and 2018, she produced two short films, Robot Bullies and New Kid Placement Committee with Evan Goldberg’s And Action! film initiative and is currently developing her first feature film with NSI’s Features First program.

The post Bree and Drew (Me & You) appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

A woman deals with trauma during a guided meditation session with her therapist.

Creative team

Writer/director/producer: Trevor Kristjanson

Filmmaker’s statement

The imagery for this film came to me several years ago, but I was unable to find a meaning or coherent storyline in all the visuals I had in mind. As with most of my scripts, the theme revealed itself to me many years later, and when I was working on a completely different movie!

A few people have interpreted the film as being about trauma, abuse, addiction, environmental degradation, guilt, etc.

I just hope you enjoy the film and get something out of it.

The film would not have been possible without the generous funding of the Winnipeg Arts Council, Manitoba Film & Music, ACTRA Manitoba, The Winnipeg Film Group, and William F. White in Winnipeg.

About Trevor Kristjanson

Trevor has written and directed several short films and webisodes, as well as acted in dozens of short films, web series, music videos and feature films.

His award-winning short film Boy Toys screened on Canada’s national broadcaster CBC as part of the televised series Short Film Face-off in summer 2017.

In 2017, Trevor directed two dramatic short films, Surfacing and Platypus, the latter of which was awarded funding from Canadian television channel Bravo!

The post Surfacing appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).