Posted on Monday, October 06, 2008.
News release: October 6, 2008
Emerging Canadian filmmakers are encouraged to apply now for the National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) Drama Prize training program 2009.
Teams must submit a complete application including a script with a projected running time of ten (10) minutes or less.
Full details are available here. Apply by Thursday, November 13, 2008.
NSI Drama Prize is an ambitious program which provides a year of professional support and training in filmmaking.
Up to four teams of Canadian filmmakers will receive customized training in writing, directing and producing. After training, teams have two months to complete a project development assignment. Following assessment of the assigned work, selected teams will be eligible to receive year-long mentoring from established industry leaders, $10,000 in cash support and over $30,000 in services toward production of a short film.
“NSI Drama Prize is an extremely prestigious program that has helped develop very talented filmmakers who continue to work in Canada’s film and television industry,” said Joy Loewen, Program Manager, NSI Drama Prize.
“Not only have NSI Drama Prize participants screened their short films around the world, they’ve moved into feature film and television production, proving that a solid foundation of training is the starting point for a successful career.”
Adds E. Jane Thompson, Program Advisor, “The custom training that our expert faculty provide, combined with valuable advice from industry mentors gives participants a chance to focus on what they want to learn, allowing them to develop their skills as filmmakers and grow in their careers.”
All 2007/08 NSI Drama Prize films premiered at the CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival in June.
NSI Drama Prize 2007/08 graduates Nina Sudra and Patrick McLaughlin celebrated the screening of their NSI Drama Prize short
Tigers at the Gate at the 2008 Vancouver International Film Festival.
The Auburn Hills Breakdown (NSI Drama Prize 2007/08) by producer Katie Weekley and writer/director Geoff Redknap won "Best Humour Film" at 2008 Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival (San Diego). It also screened at 2008 Calgary International Film Festival; 2008 Fantastic Fest, Austin, Texas; and the 2008 Lund International Fantastic Film Festival, Lund, Sweden. This short will be made into a feature: In April 2008
The Auburn Hills Breakdown received Telefilm Canada financing from the development component of the Canada Feature Film Fund (CFFF).
Apparent Woes (NSI Drama Prize 2006/07) by producer Karitsa Tye and writer/director Lisa Robertson won a Silver Remi Award for best short comedy at the 41st Annual WorldFest-Houston, Houston, Texas in 2008.
Les Grands (NSI Drama Prize 2006/07) producer Christine Falco and writer/director Chloé Leriche (Montreal) was selected for the inaugural top 10 Canadian short films of 2007 by the Toronto International Film Festival Group.
NSI Drama Prize alumnus Robert Cuffley is also a graduate of
NSI Features First. His most recent feature film
Walk All Over Me starring Leelee Sobieski had its world premiere at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival. The film’s US distribution rights were picked up by the Weinstein Company.
NSI Drama Prize is made possible by Presenting Sponsor Telefilm Canada; Program Partners The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation and Canwest; Award Sponsors Rogers, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, Telefilm Canada and the NSI Alumni Fund; Service Sponsors Deluxe, Kodak Canada Inc. and PS Production Services Ltd.; Risk Management Consultants Multimedia Risk Inc.; as well as William F. White International Inc.
Media enquiries
Glynis Corkal, Marketing & Communications Manager
Direct line: 204-957-2995 | Email:
glynis.corkal@nsi-canada.ca
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