Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Writer/producer teams working on first or second feature: apply for NSI Features First

Posted: 17 Jul 2017 11:31 AM PDT

The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) is now accepting applications for its NSI Features First course, presented in association with Telefilm Canada.

NSI Features First is a renowned development training launch pad for writer/producer teams working on their first or second feature film. 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 the course launched 20 years ago, one in four NSI Features First-developed films have been made – an impressive track record,” said program manager Shelly Quade. “I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s applications and helping the selected teams refine their projects.

“I’d like to thank outgoing program advisor Melissa Kajpust for her enthusiasm and commitment to this course as she departs to focus on her work at Super Channel. And we extend a warm welcome to Al Magee, joining the NSI Features First faculty as program advisor.”

Producer, writer and showrunner Al Magee brings over 30 years’ experience to the role, with over 50 feature film credits as a writer and story editor on independent Canadian feature film breakouts like Roadkill and Highway 61, Rude and Cube.

Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. CT on Monday, September 11, 2017. The selection committee is looking for projects with strong commercial appeal.

Apply now.

The course gets results: 19 feature films developed through the program have been produced since the course launched. Most recently, The Sun At Midnight from Kirsten Carthew premiered in Fort McPherson in September and Josh Epstein and Kyle Rideout are in post-production on their 2014 NSI Features First-developed Public Schooled.

Other films developed through NSI Features First include Bang Bang Baby, The Dark Stranger, Two 4 One, I Declare War, Every Emotion Costs, Foodland, Love and Other Dilemmas, Fetching Cody, 7 Times Lucky, On the Corner, Goldirocks, Turning Paige, Flower & Garnet, Leaving Metropolis, Inertia, My Father’s Angel, Violet and The Bend.

NSI Features First is funded by Presenting Sponsor Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsors Entertainment One, Super Channel, Corus Entertainment and Breakthrough Entertainment; and Service Sponsor William F. White. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

About the National Screen Institute

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 IndigiDocs, NSI Business for Producers, Movie Central Script to Screen, Corus Diverse TV Director, TELUS STORYHIVE Web Series and Digital Shorts, and TELUS Optik™ Local.

NSI also offers exposure through the NSI Online Short Film Festival and provides vast 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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Her Friend Adam

Posted: 12 Jul 2017 02:34 PM PDT

A boyfriend’s jealous impulse spirals out of control in 16 minutes of romantic doom.

Creative team

Writer/director: Ben Petrie
Producer: Kristy Neville

About Ben Petrie

Ben Petrie is a Canadian independent filmmaker.

Recently, he wrote, directed, edited and performed in Her Friend Adam, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and proceeded to screen as part of SXSW, Rooftop Films and across North America as part of the Sundance Short Film Tour.

In 2016, he was featured in Filmmaker Magazine’s annual series, 25 New Faces of Independent Film. He is currently writing his first feature.

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The Wexford

Posted: 12 Jul 2017 02:32 PM PDT

Nearly 60 years ago, Tony and Tommy Kiriakou founded The Wexford Restaurant.

For generations, its welcoming atmosphere, hot coffee, and freshly-squeezed OJ has ensured its position as the cornerstone of the local community.

Creative team

Director: Michael Barry
Producer: Lila Karim

Filmmaker’s statement

The Wexford is my first film – we shot over two days in spring 2016.

Institutions like The Wexford are a dying breed and I wanted to capture ‘a day in the life’ of the restaurant. Like stepping back in time, the restaurant is filled with memorabilia from over six decades!

Should you ever find yourself in Scarborough in need of breakfast, make sure you go – it’s a wonderful experience.

About Michael Barry

The Wexford is Michael’s Barry directorial and editorial debut.

When not making films, Michael spends a lot of time curating them as the co-founder/programmer of the Toronto Irish Film Festival.

And when not screening/curating/programming, Michael loves to write music for film – you can sample his work at Soundcloud.

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