Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Production has begun on Kayaking for Beginners, a new feature produced by Scythia Films’ Daniel Bekerman (NSI Features First) and directed by Zoe Hopkins (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program).

The film follows a young girl determined to stop oil tankers from passing through the waters of her homeland.

Filming is set to wrap October 29.

TELUS STORYHIVE is now accepting pitches for digital shorts: animation edition.

Ten creators who submit a winning pitch will get a $10K grant to make a short animated film.

Everyone can apply – this edition is open to all creators in BC and Alberta. Submissions must be in the form of an animated comedy, drama or documentary and are being accepted until November 7, 2016.

Find out more about how to apply and submit your pitch.

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STORYHIVE is a community-powered funding program that allows members of the community to influence what projects will receive funding from TELUS.

The program allows content creators in British Columbia and Alberta to submit their story ideas to an online public platform. The community then votes for the project that should receive funding and go into production.

NSI delivers training for the selected projects and their creators once they’re chosen through the STORYHIVE process.

The Dark Stranger, an NSI Features First film from writer/director Chris Trebilcock and producer Glen Wood, along with producer Paula Devonshire (NSI Features First, NSI Totally Televison), was released last Friday in the US through Terror Films and is now available on Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, VUDU, Xbox, PlayStation, YouTube, Vimeo On Demand and iTunes.

Two new clips of the film have also been released. Watch them on Horror Movies.

The Dark Stranger, developed through NSI Features First in 2013, is a psychological thriller about an agoraphobic, young graphic novelist recovering from a traumatic event in her past. Her latest artistic creation may be coming to life, or is she just losing her mind?

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NSI Features First is funded by Presenting Sponsor Telefilm Canada; Program Partner The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation; Supporting Sponsors Entertainment One, Super Channel, Corus Entertainment and Breakthrough Entertainment; Provincial Sponsors Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), Innovation PEI and Creative Saskatchewan; and Industry Partner Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

This animated, poetry-driven webisode follows Bandages, an old man haunted by The Judge (his dark past), as he embarks on his journey towards forgiveness.

Creative team

Writer: Sheri-D Wilson
Director/producer: Doug Cook

Filmmaker’s statement

While enduring a grueling year in my personal life, I longed to make a film in solitude.

I’ve always loved the art of stop-motion and the magical feeling that only miniatures and puppets can create. I decided to dive into a short stop-motion/live-action mixed film and to do as much as possible on my own. With the help of a few colleagues and many YouTube tutorials I managed to pull it together.

During my most stressful times, I would often reflect on memories and emotions from my past. Some were good memories and others came with frustration and anger. I didn’t feel that these thoughts and feelings were strong enough to base a film on – but the underlying feeling of ‘letting go’ did feel like something I should channel.

With that, I came up with the title, concept and character of the film. Making this film was cathartic and it came from a place of therapy rather than artistic expression.

The icing on the cake was connecting with Calgary poet, Sheri-D Wilson. After our first meeting Sheri really absorbed and understood my vision for the film. The poem flowed out of her almost immediately. Her words became the connecting force of the film.

About Doug Cook

Audiences have come to recognize Doug’s signature style, whether it has sci-fi, futuristic or mysterious themes.

Doug’s attention to detail in prop-use and production design elevate his work to the highest standard and, regardless of budget, his final film always reflects innovation and meticulousness.

Above all, the key to his success is his talent of bringing a message, melody or lyric to life in a way that’s inventive and a natural reflection of the music, artist, story.

Doug’s technical competence, bold visual interpretations and unusual use of props, along with his collaborative process and professionalism have distinguished him as a unique independent filmmaker.

A lonely man sets up for his 39^th birthday party.

He’s made all the right preparations. He’s sent out invitations to friends and family, and even invited everyone from the office.

Did he buy the right amount of refreshments? What about the cake? Is there enough to go around?

Creative team

Writer/director: E. M. Walker
Producer: Kegan Sant

Filmmaker’s statement

I’ve always wondered what a weekend or birthday was like for that quiet person in the office – the one nobody really talks to. So I set out to tell a story about this guy named Bill O’Donnell.

I looked at the film as a test: what kind of story could I tell with as little as possible? I challenged myself to keep my script under 10 pages, the locations minimal and, lastly, I could only ever have our protagonist appear on screen.

We shot the film in one long, yet rewarding, 16-hour day all thanks to our stellar crew. Every single person involved brought their A-game, from sound mixer to set dresser, producer to PAs and everyone in between – it was nothing but top-notch work all around.

The truth of it is that the film rested on the shoulders of our only actor Christian McKenna and, wow, did he ever do an amazing job!

My favourite scene takes place in the bathroom where Bill rehearses his greetings. There is this brief moment where he pauses glancing down at his hands. He’s so emotionally naked and vulnerable. We’re just flies on the wall of this tiny apartment watching this poor schlub shuffle about. You the viewer are the only guest at the party and Bill doesn’t even know you’re there.

It’s a dark story – sad, kind of depressing. But there is something of a silver lining, even if it is just for the audience alone.

About E.M. Walker

E. M. Walker is a self-taught movie buff turned filmmaker who’s been volunteering and working in the industry in a variety of positions since early 2011. He’s had a hand in everything from features and music videos to short films and commercials.

In 2013 E. M. wrote and executive produced a proof of concept for one of his feature length scripts entitled Shadows (directed by Colin Berry).

In February of 2015 Shadows was posted on a number of premium video outlets. Surprisingly enough the one that garnered it the most attention was World Star Hip-Hop, where it racked up over 100,000 views in less than 24 hours.

In the summer of 2015, E. M. wrote and directed one short film a month from April to June: Neighbours, Curiosity Killed the Cat and, lastly, Bill’s Birthday Bash.