Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Eagle Vision, the Winnipeg-based production company run by Lisa Meeches (NSI Indigenous programs advisor) and Kyle Irving (NSI Global Marketing), has received nominations for the 2017 Beyond Borders ECPAT International’s Canada Media Award in English electronic media for the Fonassa Bruyere and Cherisse Houle episodes of Taken.

Read the media release [PDF].

Taken, which recounts stories of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls, will be awarded March 1, 2018 at a full-day conference in Winnipeg entitled Child Sexual Abuse and Trafficking: Tackling the Problem Within our Borders and Beyond.

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Snowed Inn Christmas, a new TV movie from Gary Yates (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Features First), premiered on W Network over the weekend and airs again on December 21.

In the movie, two journalists have nowhere they want to be for Christmas so they volunteer for a special writing assignment.

After a snowstorm forces their plane to land in Santa Claus, Indiana, the two are placed in a Christmas Wonderland and the focus of their story shifts to saving the historic town inn.

Have a listen to a recent episode of The Inadequate Life podcast from Keith Tomasek (NSI Drama Prize) featuring an interview with Snowed Inn Christmas lead Bethany Joy Lenz on working with Gary and shooting in Winnipeg.

The post Gary Yates’ new film Snowed Inn Christmas airs on W Network, December 21 appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

Catch films from NSI grads screening at next month’s Vancouver Short Film Festival (VSFF).

• TELUS STORYHIVE digital short Akashi from Mayumi Yoshida

• Echoes in the Ice from BJ Verot (NSI Drama Prize)

• TELUS STORYHIVE animated short Soggy Flakes from The Affolter Bros.

The festival runs January 26 – 27, 2018.

The post NSI grads at Vancouver Short Film Festival 2018 appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

Death touches a little girl’s soul by granting her fondest wish on Christmas Eve.

Creative team

Writer/director: Chad Costen
Producer: Timo Puolitaipale

Filmmaker’s statement

I envisioned Death Wish from the following point of view: “What would my favourite Christmas specials from childhood have been like if the likes of Peter Jackson or Guillermo Del Toro had made them?”

I’ve always wanted to make a dark comedy. I’ve already made short films that have made people laugh, or built suspense and depicted gore, and Death Wish involves both of these aspects, which is double the fun.

Death Wish is for the adult who grew up loving the twisted holiday entertainment they watched as a kid while waiting for Santa to slide down their chimney on Christmas Eve … and break his freaking neck.

About Chad Costen

Chad’s background lies in animation and props production, having spent many years developing his skills on both personal projects and commercial productions including Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (TV), Blade 2, Dream Keeper and Caitlin’s Way.

Chad’s talents vary from costume design and creature effects to puppetry and art production, but his true interest lies in visual storytelling. The desire to share thoughtful work with the world and combine his other interests into a single career has led him to pursue a life of independent filmmaking. Chad is an instructor at the Vancouver Film School.

Chad’s first short film I Hate Broccoli began a career of working with puppets and special effects costumes in film. Chad also directed the feature film The Coming and most recently The Legend of Zelda: A Missing Link. He not only directed the films but also designed and built costumes, puppets and creature effects, and created the visual effects with a team of artists.

Chad is a full-scholarship recipient and graduate of the VFS film production program.

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

Rodolfo Ignacio’s green card marriage is in danger because he thinks he’s a telenovela character. The worst part? It’s contagious.

Creative team

Writer: Léa Maurizi
Director: Jesse Lupini
Producers: Léa Maurizi, Gloria Peña, Khadidiatou Diouf, Natasha Backlin, Myles Simon

Filmmaker’s statement

Jesse Lupini was immediately drawn to the comedy of the script. He loved the over-the-top satire of the telenovela genre and saw many opportunities to add jokes and visual gags.

About Jesse Lupini

Jesse Lupini is a Canadian director.

He has been making movies since he was a kid with a handicam, but recently moved into the professional film world.

In 2015 he directed and produced a commercial for Digitech’s new flagship guitar pedal.

He has several short films in post-production. In August he directed the pilot for a new web series called Crime and Wisdom.

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