Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Queering the Script, a feature documentary from producer Stephanie Ouaknine (NSI Totally Television) exploring the history of queer female representation on television, has its world television premiere on Thursday, January 9 at 9 p.m. ET on Hollywood Suite.

The film also airs nationally on OUTtv on Friday, January 10 at 9 p.m. ET.

Queering the Script explores the rising power of the fans shaping representation on television, the relationship between fandom and activism, and what lies ahead for visibility and inclusiveness. Stars, including Ilene Chaiken, Stephanie Beatriz, Lucy Lawless and Angelica Ross, join with the voices of numerous kickass fangirls in this fast-paced history of queer women’s representation of contemporary television.

Queering the Script is a Hollywood Suite Original Documentary produced by Shaftesbury Films, written and directed by Gabrielle Zilkha. Hollywood Suite owns and operates four HDTV channels in North America.

Read more on Hollywood Suite.

The post World TV premiere of Stephanie Ouaknine’s Queering the Script, January 9 appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

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 sharing impact stories from many of our talented alumni who’ve told us how NSI training transformed their lives and careers.

Today’s featured alumna is Alex Lazarowich who, in 2015, made Cree Code Talker through NSI IndigiDocs alongside producing partner Cowboy Smithx.

Alex is a Cree producer, director and screenwriter whose work has premiered at film festivals around the world. She is passionate about telling Indigenous stories. Her most recent documentary Fast Horse premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2019 winning Alex a Special Jury Award for directing.

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

I think the training I had through NSI IndigiDocs really uplifted my career through the creation of our short documentary Cree Code Talker. It allowed us to produce an exquisite film that premiered at festivals around the world.

The mentorship with NSI staff and our film mentor director Sturla Gunnarsson also allowed us to create meaningful relationships and networks within the documentary community.

What was most memorable or helpful about NSI training?

I think what was most helpful was the business and legal portion of training. It helped create long-term goals and allowed me to move more confidently in the world of independent producing.

Did you make enduring connections with peers and industry folks?

This was most valuable to me. I’ve made long lasting connections and collaborations with industry folks and grads from NSI programs. It really became an important network allowing me to see and support the amazing films and things other Indigenous grads are doing, such as Roger Boyer who created the Indigenous Film Summit with his team in Winnipeg.

Have you continued to work with any of those people?

I’ve worked with or mentored a few grads which has been exciting. We support each other through social media promotion and are all cheering for one another from the sidelines. When one grad has success it’s success for all of us.

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

Submit your application (even if you think you’re not ready). You’ll always feel not ready, but do it anyway! You’ll learn so much, and it will open your network. The support of NSI staff and mentors is invaluable and will push your career forward.

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

My career trajectory has exploded in the past five years. I went from doing NSI IndigiDocs to winning an award at Sundance Film Festival 2019. It wouldn’t have happened without the creation of Cree Code Talker through the NSI program. I learned so much and was able to take the skills I learned and apply them to future films like Fast Horse.

What was the most transformative part of your learning experience?

It gave me a new approach and mindset for filmmaking. I learned things at NSI that I hadn’t been aware of prior. It drove home to me how organizations like NSI can fill gaps in the learning and growth process, as well as the need for content creators to continue to learn and adapt.

What project(s) are you currently working on?

We’re currently in the middle of the 2020 awards season for Fast Horse, and I’m just finishing up series producing season 6 of CBC’s hit television series Still Standing.

Where can people find out more about your work online?

You can watch my latest film Fast Horse on Vimeo. It was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick. For a list of more of my work you can visit my website.

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Keep the story going and donate today

At NSI, we’re passionate about nurturing storytellers because stories connect us all.

Please consider a donation to support our students as part of your charitable giving. Big or small, your gift will provide value-added essentials that enhance their training experience.

For as little as $10, you can help fund an item from the NSI Gift Guide. Things like a weekly bus pass, the cost of hiring a van for a student trip, food for a traditional feast or help hiring a mentor are all ways you can help.

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

The post NSI alumna Alex Lazarowich: the support of NSI staff and mentors is invaluable and will push your career forward appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

Detention Adventure, a CBC Kids digital original series from Joe Kicak (NSI Drama Prize), Ryan West, Karen Moore (both NSI Features First) and Lauren Corber (NSI Totally Television), has been licenced to the UK’s ITV and ABC Australia by Blue Ant International.

The serialized family adventure show sees three nerds and the bully that’s always picking on them overcoming their differences and putting their science knowledge to the test in order to rediscover the fabled lost laboratory of Alexander Graham Bell.

Detention Adventure is produced by Ryan and executive produced by Lauren, Karen and Joe (also a director on the series). The show is available to stream on CBC Gem.

• • •

Keep the story going and donate today

At NSI, we’re passionate about nurturing storytellers because stories connect us all.

Please consider a donation to support our students as part of your charitable giving. Big or small, your gift will provide value-added essentials that enhance their training experience.

For as little as $10, you can help fund an item from the NSI Gift Guide. Things like a weekly bus pass, the cost of hiring a van for a student trip, food for a traditional feast or help hiring a mentor are all ways you can help.

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

The post Detention Adventure licenced to UK’s ITV and ABC Australia by Blue Ant International appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).