NSI & MOVIEOLA GIVE SMALL FILMS BIG EXPOSURE

Winnipeg – The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) has teamed up with Movieola—The Short Film Channel to present the NSI National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest 2006.

Canadian* amateur filmmakers are being called on to bring their ideas to life and make a short film – up to five minutes long. Finalists can win cash prizes and big exposure including a premiere at NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival held in Winnipeg in March 2006 and a world broadcast premiere on Movieola—The Short Film Channel.

Submission deadline: January 20, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. Central Time.

Visit www.nsi-canada.ca/filmexchange/nex for an application form or call 1-800-952-9307.

2006 heralds the first year that NSI will be collaborating with Movieola—The Short Film Channel as the presenting partner of NSI National Exposure. Movieola will also host online voting for the first time, via their website at www.movieola.ca. This voting component will decide the winner of a new award: Movieola—The Short Film Channel Viewers’ Choice Award, worth $1,000.

In February 2006, Movieola will broadcast films from the semi-final round of the contest. From those semi-finalists, an industry jury will select 12 finalists. In late February 2006, Movieola viewers will be able to vote for their favourite from the 12. The Movieola—The Short Film Channel Viewers’ Choice winner will be announced at the NSI National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest event at the Globe Cinema during NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival in Winnipeg from March 1-4, 2006.

Audience members attending the screening also get to choose their favourite film and will decide who takes home the NSI FilmExchange People’s Choice Award, worth $1,000.

Eight additional awards, chosen by the jury, will also be announced at the event in March 2006:

1) Best Actor
2) Best Director
3) Best Film from Eastern Canada**
4) Best Film from Manitoba
5) Best Film from Western Canada**
6) Best Film Under 18
7) Best Screenplay

Each of these awards is worth $100. The jury will also present another new award:

Best Overall Film, worth $500.

Liz Hover, Coordinator for the NSI National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest said, “It’s fantastic to have Movieola on board. What could be better than more exposure for beginning filmmakers through this unique specialty channel? As a finalist in the contest not only do you stand the chance of winning some great awards and cash prizes, but your film will also be seen by a national audience. You never know who’s watching and where it could lead.”

Romen Podzyhun, Chairman & CEO of Channel Zero Inc. – the parent company of Movieola—The Short Film Channel, adds, “Movieola is thrilled to be working with NSI and to be part of the National Exposure Contest. Amateur and emerging filmmakers are the next generation of storytellers for our country, and we are excited to give them an opportunity to have their stories seen and heard.”

The National Screen Institute — Canada, with headquarters in Winnipeg, is one of Canada’s four nationally recognized film and television training schools helping emerging writers, directors and producers bring their stories to life and to audiences at home and abroad. Its market-driven programs have led to employment for NSI graduates by giving them a competitive edge — according to the 2005 NSI Graduate Survey, 97% of respondents are working in the industry.

The National Screen Institute — Canada operates with ongoing funding from Telefilm Canada through Canadian Heritage, and Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism. Additional support provided by Patrons: CTV and CBC Television, Partner: Warner Bros. Canada Inc., and financial assistance provided by the Winnipeg Arts Council.

Movieola—The Short Film Channel launched in 2001, and was the first of six digital services to be offered by Channel Zero Inc. Movieola—The Short Film Channel presents the very best of action, comedy and drama films that can all be enjoyed in under 40 minutes. It's A Feature Film Experience in A Fraction of the Time™.

 

*The contest is open to all residents of Canada except residents of Quebec, employees (and those persons with whom they are domiciled) of National Screen Institute - Canada, Doowah Design, Movieola—The Short Film Channel and of the corporations, the contest jury, and the advertising and promotional agencies involved in the Contest.

**Western Canada includes British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and Eastern Canada includes Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

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For more information contact:

Liz Hover, Publicist, National Screen Institute – Canada,

Email: liz.hover@nsi-canada.ca
Telephone: 204-956-7800 ext. 212

David MIller, Director of Communications, Channel Zero Inc.,

Telephone: 416-492-1595 ext. 241

Click here to see the promotional poster for the NSI National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest,

presented by Movieola – The Short Film Channel