Emerging filmmakers from Quebec, Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia chosen for NSI Drama Prize

Winnipeg - Today at NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival, filmmakers from Quebec, Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia were named as the next participants for NSI Drama Prize, presented by CBC Television – a professional training program coordinated by the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI), which culminates in the production of a 10-minute short film.

From the 74 submissions, 16 were short listed for jury consideration. The following five teams were chosen for the 2006-2007 NSI Drama Prize training program.

Les Grands (Quebec)
Producer: Christine Falco
Writer/Director: Chloe Leriche
Award Sponsor: CBC Television

Lawrencetown (Nova Scotia)
Producer: Drew Hagen
Writer/Director: Eva Madden
Award Sponsor: Telefilm Canada

Apparent Woes (Ontario)
Producer: Karitsa Tye
Writer/Director: Lisa Robertson
Award Sponsor: Rogers Telefund

Silver Road (Ontario)
Producer: Elise Cousineau
Writer/Director: William Taylor
Award Sponsor: Alliance Atlantis

The Cabinet (British Columbia)
Producer: Karen Wong
Writer/Director: Karen Lam
Award Sponsor: Citytv Vancouver

These teams receive one year of professional training and support from established filmmakers including director, E. Jane Thompson – herself an alumni of the NSI Drama Lab program, the precursor to NSI Drama Prize – whose credits include Cold Squad; producer, Jeff Peeler from Frantic Films, whose producing credits include Leaving Metropolis and The Nature of Nicholas; and Shereen Jerrett, who teaches screenwriting at the University of Manitoba and whose writing/directing credits include The Woman Upstairs and The Waltz.

“Every year, our jury is impressed by the submissions and the selection choice becomes harder,” said Program Manager Brandice Vivier-Burns. “NSI Drama Prize has proven to be a springboard for many of its alumni. The accolades grow every year. We’re excited to welcome these new participants to the training program and look forward to their continued success.”

NSI Drama Prize is a respected program in the Canadian film industry, because of its support and training commitment to its participants.

“NSI Drama Prize is NSI’s longest running program and its participants have gone on to achieve enormous success,” said Susan Millican NSI’s CEO. “Noise, by writer-director Greg Spottiswood and producer Jason Charters (NSI ZeD Drama Prize 2004) was recently chosen for the prestigious Clermont Ferrand Short Film Festival – the first NSI Drama prize short to be selected for this festival.”

Following their week-long intensive training sessions in Winnipeg, this year’s selected NSI Drama Prize participants will return home to work on their films - scheduled for their world premiere at the 2007 NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival.

NSI Drama Prize, presented by CBC Television, offers participants one year of professional support and training to make a short film. Up to five Canadian teams receive $9,500 in cash support and over $16,000 in services, customized training in writing, directing, producing and access to professional contacts and mentors.

The 2005-2006 NSI ZeD Drama Prize teams will be celebrating their world premieres this week during NSI FilmExchange, March 1-4 in Winnipeg. Each short film will screen prior to a feature film during NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival at the Globe Cinema, Portage Place and during the Showcase of Canadian Shorts, shown each afternoon. The 2005 films are:

The Janitors by producer Clinton Carew, and writer-director Daniel Arnold (Alberta)

Wednesday, March 1 at 1:30 p.m. and Thursday March 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Meaning of Max by producer Billie Knight, and writer-director Chris Roberts (Manitoba)

Thursday, March 2 at 1:30 p.m. and Friday. March 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The Year I Ran in the Woods by producer Louisa Ferguson, and writer-director Sean Hoy (Saskatchewan)

Thursday, March 2 at 1:30 p.m. and Friday, March 3 at 9:45 p.m.

The Letter by producer Joseph Antaki and writer-director Martin Doepner (Quebec)

Friday, March 3 at 1:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 4 at 2:00 p.m.

Gravity Boy by producer Calum MacLeod, and writer-director Scott Burton (British Columbia)

Friday, March 3 at 1:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 4 at 8:30 p.m.

“CBC Television is proud of our continued partnership with the NSI Drama Prize,” said Carl Karp, CBC Television Area Executive Producer. “CBC ‘s commitment to creating Canadian drama is stronger than ever. Our support for emerging writers, director and producers helps nurture the next generation of Canadian filmmakers and we look forward to the growth of the chosen teams.”

Tickets from www.ticketmaster.ca or telephone: 204.253.ARTS (2787) or 204.780.3333. Agency fee applies. Students receive a 20% discount.

 

The National Screen Institute – Canada presents NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival, the largest established film festival showcasing 100% Canadian short and feature films each March in Winnipeg.

The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) is the oldest of Canada’s nationally recognized film and television training schools. 2006 marks the 20th anniversary of NSI. Celebrations will start at NSI FilmExchange.

CBC Television is the national presenting sponsor of NSI Drama Prize. The program partner is The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation. Service Sponsors for NSI Drama Prize are: Deluxe Laboratories, Kodak Canada Inc., Multimedia Risk Inc. Consultants and Insurance Brokers, PS Production Services Ltd., William F. White International Inc., BC Film and MANITOBA FILM & SOUND.

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 and The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, Partner: Warner Bros. Entertainment Canada Inc., and financial assistance provided by the Winnipeg Arts Council.

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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

Chris Vajcner
NSI FilmExchange Publicist
Email: chris.vajcner@nsi-canada.ca

Telephone: (204) 957-2998