Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Trans Atlantic Partners is accepting feature films and TV drama projects for its 2018 program which provides intensive training and networking for experienced film and TV producers from Europe, Canada and the US.

This two-module co-production program takes place in Berlin in June and September in Halifax.

The program is designed for producers with a minimum of five years of professional experience in the film and television industry and at least one feature film or TV drama series produced (mid to senior level producers).

The only program worldwide dedicated to trans-Atlantic co-production, Trans Atlantic Partners is celebrating its 10^th anniversary in 2018.

Apply by April 3, 2018. Please read the full program information before applying.

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Telefilm’s Talent to Watch Program (formerly the Telefilm Micro-Budget Production Program) is back for its sixth year.

The program provides financing for the production, digital distribution and promotion of a first feature-length film or other format of narrative-based audiovisual content made specifically for online distribution.

As a partner organization, NSI can recommend to Telefilm:

• up to two feature film projects and one web project under the Main Component, and
• up to two feature film projects and one web project for the Indigenous Component

This is a competitive process – NSI can only make up to a total of six recommendations to Telefilm for this program.

The project team’s writer and director must be graduates of, or currently enrolled in, an NSI program.

NSI students/grads from 2013 to 2018 are eligible.

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Please note: we have set our own deadline of Monday, April 2, 2018, 4:30 p.m. Central Time ahead of Telefilm’s final submission deadline of April 16 – 23, 2018. This allows us to work with the teams to refine their submissions in advance of submitting to Telefilm.

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NSI requires the following items emailed to Brendon Sawatzky, NSI’s director of programming, to qualify for a recommendation from us:

1) A video pitch (max. 5 minutes) that will: 

• state the project’s working title; 
• identify the key creative team involved in the project and their individual track records (including samples of past work if applicable or relevant); 
• identify the genre, type and length of project; 
• provide a synopsis of the story; 
• outline the creative team’s vision/visual treatment of the material; 
• outline any other relevant information that sets the project apart (e.g.: confirmed appearance by an established actor, successful crowdfunding campaign, relationship with VFX professionals or animators); and
• identify the target audience and present ideas on reaching and engaging the target audience through a digital marketing and social media strategy; 

2) a written synopsis (max. 200 words) of the project including a description of the creative team’s vision; 

3) a one-page visual treatment of the project; 

4) a completed screenplay; 

5) a link to previous work, if available; 

6) a one-page promotion and distribution plan including a digital marketing and social media strategy that demonstrates how the target audience will be reached; 

7) a production schedule (from pre-production to digital release) that will ensure completion of the project within 18 months of the receipt of Telefilm’s invitation to apply, as described below; 

8) the budget top sheet for the project (download a template from Telefilm); and

9) any other information that sets this project apart (eg: successful crowdfunding campaign, confirmed cameo by a well-known actor, established fan base on social media). 

The above documents must be included in Word, Excel or PDF formats. Please provide the video pitch as a YouTube or Vimeo link.

Once NSI has determined which projects we’ll support with a recommendation, we’ll work with the teams to refine their submissions in advance of Telefilm’s April 16 – 23, 2018 deadline. At that time, the recommended projects must submit to Telefilm via a microsite. NSI suggests that all applicants create their microsites in advance.

It is strongly recommended that you read Telefilm’s full set of guidelines and FAQ (PDF) before approaching NSI.

Contact Brendon Sawatzky, NSI’s director of programming, with queries about submission requirements.

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The Talent to Watch Program – Funding of First Feature Films and Web Projects from Emerging Filmmakers (the “Program”) aims to support emerging filmmakers, accelerate their career development, and allow them to develop an expertise in digital marketing and promotion of audiovisual projects.

Completed projects must be made available to the public through one or more digital platforms (e.g. web portals, video portals such as YouTube or iTunes, video on demand, mobile platforms/devices). 

Telefilm Canada’s (“Telefilm”) support under this Program will be provided through three separate streams: Selective Stream, Fast Track Stream and Festival Selection Stream. 

Under the Selective Stream, financing will be given to projects chosen among those recommended by designated industry partners for each component of the Program. 

See a list of designated industry partners for the Main Component, the Indigenous Component and the Official Language Minority Community (OLMC) component (links to PDFs).

These partners all have a strong connection to emerging talent and include recognized training institutions with a film training program, film cooperatives and film festivals with talent incubators. 

NSI invites every qualified student/grad seeking a recommendation from NSI to forward the required documents for review by Monday, April 2, 2018, 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Only complete applications will be accepted.

If you have general questions about the Telefilm Talent to Watch Program, please contact your regional Telefilm officer.

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Three new films in this week’s NSI Online Short Film Festival from directors Kimberly Smith, Kelly Saxberg and Dianne Brothers, and Kim Nelson.

ReArranged

ReArranged | Drama, 14:23, English, ON, 2016 | Director: Kimberly Smith

Faced with an arranged marriage proposal, an Indian woman seeks to thwart her parents’ plans and their so-called traditional values only to meet an unexpected suitor in the process.

Long Walk Home: The Incredible Journey of Sheila Burnford

Long Walk Home: The Incredible Journey of Sheila Burnford | Documentary, 30:00, English, ON, 2017 | Directors: Kelly Saxberg, Dianne Brothers

In 1961, Sheila Burnford’s first book, The Incredible Journey, became an international bestseller and, eventually, a popular Walt Disney film.

On Girls

On Girls | Drama, 15:00, English, ON, 2016 | Director: Kim Nelson

Looking at the stricken faces of other women waiting at an abortion clinic, Melissa must consider whether to stay or run.

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Call for films / submit by March 12

We’re accepting films through FilmFreeway until Monday, March 12, 2018.

If your film is programmed, you have a chance of winning over $3K in cash awards. We accept films released after January 1, 2013.

All NSI Online Short Film Festival winners receive a complimentary Friend membership for the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and non-acting award winners are qualified to be nominated for a Canadian Screen Award (if award criteria are met).

See the most recent winners.

Your film must be less than 30 mins long. Drama, comedy, animation, documentary, sci-fi, horror, music video and experimental are all eligible and must be made by a Canadian writer, director or producer.

Submit your film

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is made possible through the support of Festival Partner Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsors Entertainment One, Super Channel, Corus Entertainment, Blue Ant Media, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation and Breakthrough Entertainment; Award Sponsors A&E Television Networks, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation and Blue Ant Media; and Industry Partner the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

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The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) is pleased to announce its collaboration with the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDII) on a documentary film and training project associated with ILDII’s Strengthening and Revitalization of Indigenous Languages & Cultures initiative.

A trailer for the documentary premiered earlier today, March 6, at the National Gathering in Membertou First Nation (Sydney, Nova Scotia) with the full documentary following this spring.

“We’re excited to be able to premiere the film trailer to the attendees of this week’s National Gathering,” said Melanie Dean, Director, Executive Training at ILDII. “The documentary is one part of a larger project engaging First Nation, Inuit and Métis leaders and language experts across the country, so it’s a good time to celebrate the work that’s been done so far.”

The objective of the collaboration is to provide training and mentorship to four NSI alumni who directed segments of the documentary and provided their own perspective on the cultural and filmmaking journey of this initiative.

“It’s an honour to be part of the Strengthening and Revitalization of Indigenous Languages & Cultures initiative and to help capture these communities and their languages on film,” said Alexandra Lazarowich, documentary director and NSI grad. “Throughout the filming process, the knowledge sharing and conversation I witnessed is a testament to the unique and vital beauty of Indigenous traditions.”

“It’s inspiring to be part of an initiative that aims to strengthen traditional culture and communication across so many Indigenous communities,” said John Gill, National Screen Institute CEO. “NSI welcomes the opportunity to contribute our expertise in filmmaker training and development to this project.”

The filmmakers and facilitators involved in the project are:

Directors/Participants

• Petie Chalifoux (NSI IndigiDocs)
• Alexandra Lazarowich (NSI IndigiDocs)
• Roxann Whitebean (NSI IndigiDocs)
• Mike Black (CBC New Indigenous Voices)

Videographers/Mentors

• Mike Bourquin
• Mike Maryniuk
• Ivan Hughes
• Charles Konowal

The final documentary will be edited by Ivan Hughes with supervising director Dennis Jackson (NSI Aboriginal Cultural Trade Initiative, NSI Totally Television). The program is managed by NSI’s Kaya Wheeler.

Funding for this project is provided by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).

About the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI)

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 Business for Producers, NSI IndigiDocs and TELUS STORYHIVE Web Series and Digital Shorts.

NSI also offers exposure through the NSI Online Short Film Festival and provides resources and support to those in the film, television and digital media industries at nsi-canada.ca.

National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) operates with ongoing funding from Core Funders: Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage, the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council; Benefactors: TELUS, Telefilm Canada; Patrons: Bell Media, CBC; Builders: APTN, Strategic Sponsors: Directors Guild of Canada, Super Channel, Corus Entertainment, Blue Ant Media; Friends: Manitoba Film & Music, RBC Emerging Artists Project, documentary Channel, The Winnipeg Foundation, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, Breakthrough Entertainment, Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD).

About the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDII)

The Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Inc. is a non-profit organization established to build leadership capacity in Indigenous people. We are run by Indigenous people and directed by a volunteer board reflecting the diversity of the Indigenous community.

All media enquiries

Laura Friesen, Manager, Communications & Alumni Relations
Tel: 204.957.2999 or email: laura.friesen@nsi-canada.ca

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