History

What is the National Screen Institute — Canada (NSI)?

 
  

NSI, a non-profit organization with headquarters in Winnipeg, is Canada's national film, television and digital media training school for writers, directors and producers. Training is anchored in the philosophy that the best way to learn is by doing.

Our market-driven training programs have led to employment and successful careers for graduates by giving them a competitive edge. According to the 2008 NSI alumni survey, 96% of respondents are working in the film and TV industry.

  • Training programs are led by experts in film, television and digital media – they deliver workshops and seminars and mentor participants. 
  • Participants do not pay tuition fees or relocate.
  • Training is intensive. Participants train in one centre for a short period and then return home to work with local mentors on their projects under the leadership of the program manager.

Find out about all the training programs provided by the National Screen Institute.

After more than 23 years of training and with over 600 alumni, NSI continues to develop and deliver training to meet the industry's needs. We produce works that:

  • appeal to Canadians
  • help advance careers that will grow the Canadian industry and contribute to the regional and national economies stimulating employment for the long term.

NSI leads in the design and delivery of programs that provide training to Canada's visible minority and Aboriginal screen professionals.

NSI also commits to showcasing Canadian short films and providing professional development resources online.

How can I keep up to date with NSI news?

There are three ways to do this.

  1. Subscribe to the NSI weekly newsletter
  2. Subscribe to our email updates
  3. Subscribe via our RSS feed. What is RSS? And what is a feed reader?

How is the National Screen Institute structured?

A board of directors (up to 20 members), co-chaired by Brad Pelman and Raja Khanna, oversees the operations of NSI. Susan Millican, CEO, reports directly to the board.

How is the National Screen Institute funded?

For fiscal 2008-09 NSI is proud that it derived 41% of its total revenues from corporate sponsorships demonstrating the industry's strong support of our initiatives.

Another 1% came through earned revenues from our programs and the remaining 58% was derived from various federal, provincial and municipal government and agency sources, including National Training School support from the Department of Canadian Heritage, as administered through Telefilm Canada.

With the elimination of the National Training Program in the Film and Video Sector in the 2009-10 fiscal and in consideration of the global economic situation, NSI executive management and board are working to ensure that no NSI training programs are cancelled.

Various new streams of revenue are being explored and the organization looks forward to new and renewed partnerships with its family of private sector and remaining government sponsors.

What is the National Screen Institute's mission?

NSI delivers professional, market-driven, innovative and cutting-edge programming that meets the needs, direction and future trends of the Canadian and global media marketplace leading participants to successful careers as content creators.

How did the organization start?

The first meeting

In 1984, filmmakers from coast to coast converged in Edmonton. At the first Local Heroes Film Festival they showcased independent Canadian short films and features from around the world. It was the first time Canadian filmmakers discovered there was a voice in regions across the country and they discussed strategies for getting these voices heard.

The result was DramaLab, a hands-on professional development program for producers, directors and writers. For the next two years, emerging professional filmmakers honed their creative, technical and business skills under direct guidance from industry experts, with the goal of producing 15-minute, 30-minute and feature length films.

NSI is formed

On April 7, 1986, The Canadian Screen Institute was formed to meet an increased demand for comprehensive film and television training outside the huge metropolitan centres. It was the first of its kind in the country. The Institute adopted DramaLab and Local Heroes as its two flagship programs. The organization’s name was changed to National Screen Institute – Canada later that year.

Evolving with the industry

In 1990, after an in-depth evaluation, the National Screen Institute's Board of Directors introduced a new flagship program, NSI Drama Prize, to adapt to the industry's ever-changing needs. Now the longest running program at the National Screen Institute, NSI Drama Prize participants build their skills while producing their short films. The unique format combines production incentives, mentorship and professional development workshops.

In 1997, NSI Features First was introduced for writers, directors and producers working on their first or second feature film - the ultimate goal of DramaLab.

NSI Global Marketing was introduced in 2001 and NSI Totally Television in 2002 completing the circle of the early plans of the organization to develop stories for the big and small screens, ensuring Canadian film and television stories reach homegrown audiences.

In 1998, the National Screen Institute opened a second office in Winnipeg and the following year introduced a second Local Heroes to Winnipeg that screened exclusively Canadian film and videos.

In spring 2001 the National Screen Institute consolidated its operations in Winnipeg, transferred the Edmonton Local Heroes to the Edmonton International Film Festival Society and refocused and renamed the Winnipeg festival to NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival.

NSI today

The main objective of the organization hasn’t changed in over 20 years: the National Screen Institute strives to give its students the training required to have sustainable careers in film and television, and now digital media.

After more than two decades and with over 600 alumni, the National Screen Institute delivers more programs and continues to develop training to meet the industry’s needs, and produce works that appeal to Canadians.

After much consideration, NSI FilmExchange was retired in 2007.

In 2008 NSI significantly redeveloped its website including two new market-driven initiatives: the NSI Online Industry Centre where resources including exclusive interviews, blogs and other unique content guides, educates and inspires writers, directors and producers; and the NSI Online Short Film Festival where Canadian short films can be viewed 24/7, 365 days a year.

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