Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Shelagh Carter scores best director in Warsaw

Posted: 03 Dec 2019 01:07 PM PST

Congratulations to Shelagh Carter (NSI Drama Prize) who recently won best director for Into Invisible Light at East Europe International Film Festival: Warsaw Edition 2019.

In the film, confronted by an odd directive from her late husband’s estate, Helena Grayson is inspired to reawaken a long-buried desire to write. When she’s unexpectedly drawn into an encounter with an old flame she is further challenged to explore her creative voice. The film is a story of forgiveness, second chances and the revitalizing power of art.

Into Invisible Light has screened in Gimli, Madrid, Whistler, Houston, Brussels and Toronto.

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Santa’s Helper by Alex Hatz + 3 more films in this week’s NSI Online Short Film Festival

Posted: 03 Dec 2019 12:50 PM PST

Four new films in this week’s NSI Online Short Film Festival from directors Alex Hatz, Ryan Couldrey, Nauzanin Knight and Beth Wishart MacKenzie.

Santa’s Helper

Santa’s Helper | Comedy, 9:58, English, ON, 2018 | Director: Alex Hatz

A down-on-his-luck elf must deliver a lump of coal on Christmas Eve to earn his way back into Santa’s good books but when an eight-year old girl, who’s definitely on the naughty list, catches him in the act the elf must find a way to escape by any means necessary.

The Trainee

The Trainee | Comedy, 7:15, English, ON, 2019 | Director: Ryan Couldrey

A gritty anti-hero’s interrogation of a criminal mastermind is derailed when her naïve sidekick arrives on the scene.

My Lyric I Never Knew

My Lyric I Never Knew | Drama, 9:08, English, AB, 2019 | Director: Nauzanin Knight

A young Indigenous singer decides whether or not to debut a song internationally that will expose her turbulent past and the adoption of her child.

From a Light Within

From a Light Within | Documentary, 10:22, English, AB, 2019 | Director: Beth Wishart MacKenzie

A heartwarming story of brotherly love at the darkest time of year.

Each year, despite his challenges, Bill decorates his house with Christmas lights. Memories of days gone by inspire and guide his work. This year Bill decorates with special purpose: his brother is coming!

• • •

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is a year-round Canadian short film showcase with new films added every week. Since launching in 2008, the festival has awarded over $125K to Canadian media artists. Over 1,000 films are available to watch in the archives.

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is made possible through the support of Festival Partner Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsors Corus Entertainment, CBC Gem, Super Channel; Award Sponsors A&E Television Networks, Directors Guild of Canada; and Industry Partner the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

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Register now for All Access 2020; early bird deadline is December 12

Posted: 03 Dec 2019 12:41 PM PST

Get your tickets today for All Access 2020 – an intimate three-day industry forum powered by On Screen Manitoba (OSM), the provincial industry association.

Taking place from January 13 to 15 at the Fairmont in Winnipeg, All Access features interviews, case studies and panels exploring current themes and trends in the media production industry today with programming for both the English and French language markets.

Whether you produce content for theatrical, broadcast or direct to digital distribution, All Access offers sessions and networking opportunities designed to advance your business or career.

On Screen Manitoba recently announced featured speaker Catherine Tait (pictured above), president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada. See the current guest lineup. More will be added as confirmed.

Early bird registration ends at 5 p.m., December 12

Regular registration rates effective as of 5 p.m., December 12

Register now to take advantage of early bird rates.

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Baroness Von Sketch Show wins Rose d’Or award for best comedy

Posted: 03 Dec 2019 11:47 AM PST

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Baroness Von Sketch Show which won best comedy prize at the annual Rose d’Or Awards in London, England this past weekend.

Mike Fly (NSI Drama Prize) and Jeremy Lalonde (NSI Totally Television) are editors, and Jeff Peeler (NSI Global Marketing) is supervising producer.

Fast paced and irreverent, Baroness von Sketch Show is a single-camera comedy, shot on location, that offers a witty take on everyday concerns. From the politics of ordering a coffee to entitled coworkers to open relationships, this satirical sketch show holds a fun house mirror up to modern life.

The prestigious Rose d’Or Awards define the gold standard for excellence and achievement in entertainment programming.

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NSI alumna Elise Swerhone: NSI training taught me that my voice had a place in the national dialogue

Posted: 02 Dec 2019 10:00 PM PST

At the National Screen Institute, we’re blessed to see firsthand the difference training makes in the lives of storytellers.

On our website throughout December we’re publishing a series of impact stories from many of our talented alumni who’ve told us how NSI training transformed their lives and careers.

In celebration of Giving Tuesday today we’re sharing Elise Swerhone’s story with you.

Producer/director Elise took one of NSI’s first courses back in 1985: DramaLab.

Elise is an award-winning filmmaker who has made over 30 documentaries which have been shown around the world and includes work for the NFB, CBC, Global TV, HGTV, Vision, National Geographic and Discovery US.

• • •

How did your training through NSI help you get to the place you’re at in your career today?

The training I got over 30 years ago from NSI DramaLab was seminal to my career. Without NSI I’m not sure I would have continued to make my living in Winnipeg, making films for over 30 years.

What was most memorable or helpful about NSI training?

NSI training was very complete and directed at me: a woman who wanted to continue to live outside Toronto and who also wanted to be a filmmaker. NSI said that was okay.

Did you make enduring connections with peers and industry folks?

All of the people I met in NSI DramaLab have continued to make films – some in Alberta, some in BC, some in Saskatchewan and some in Toronto. We still recognize how important our early training at NSI was.

Have you continued to work with any of those people?

I have worked with, conferred with and continue to have coffee with many of the people I met through NSI.

What advice or encouragement would you give a prospective applicant considering NSI programs?

I would definitely encourage anyone considering an NSI course to just go ahead and apply. The training is superb and, once you’re in the NSI family, the staff and acquaintances you make will be there for you in your career. I know how much staff bond with students and how they want everyone to succeed.

What has your career trajectory looked like between when you completed training and now?

I went from knowing next to nothing about film production to having national and international broadcasts of award-winning films. The great thing about NSI is that it not only trained me but it trained my community and that has given me success because it takes a community to make a film. The producers and writers I have worked with have all received NSI training at some point in their careers and it’s made us all better.

What was the most transformative part of your learning experience?

NSI training took me out of my immediate community and introduced me to filmmakers in other parts of the country. That allowed me to expand my thinking and to think that my voice had a place in the national dialogue, maybe even the international dialogue. NSI gave me permission to be me and the audacity to think that my views were worth turning into films.

• • •

Today only: donate $25 or more to NSI and we’ll get an extra $5 from CanadaHelps

Make a gift today. Tax receipts are issued for all gifts. Thank you for considering a donation.

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