Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008.

News release: December 18, 2008

Rogers and Women in Media Foundation (WIMF) have partnered to contribute $147,500 over four years to the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI), further underlining their commitment to training Canadian women writers, directors and producers in film and television.

Specifically, this funding supports training opportunities for women from Alberta and Manitoba, and in particular women of Aboriginal heritage, of colour, from ethnocultural communities, or women who have disabilities. NSI training programs receiving this funding include NSI Storytellers, NSI New Voices, NSI Drama Prize and NSI Totally Television.

“Rogers is proud to support the NSI and the essential training it has long been providing to content creators from coast to coast, including women” says Alain Strati, VP, Specialty TV and Development for Rogers Media - Television. “This new funding will help ensure the continued training and advancement of women in the industry, particularly those of diverse backgrounds who bring very valuable perspectives to film and TV.”

Dr. Sylvia Hamilton, Chair, Women in Media Foundation (WIMF) adds, “The Foundation’s vision is based on diversity, equity, innovation, creativity and excellence towards inspiring more women to prepare, participate in and to lead Canada’s broadcast, film and new media industries. This particular funding contribution will help women drawn from diverse and vibrant communities in Manitoba and Alberta, who might otherwise not have the opportunity, to advance their careers in the industry through NSI’s excellent training programs.”

“NSI is privileged to receive the support of Rogers and WIMF to provide industry training to diverse women,” says Susan Millican, CEO, National Screen Institute. “It’s important for women to have the opportunity to grow and develop their careers and our programs have been providing accessible market-driven training for over 22 years. Access to training for women wanting to advance in the industry was not available when I started my career, but it would have been invaluable. I’m pleased that NSI has the faith and support of great partners like Rogers and WIMF to help us open doors to the next generation of diverse women within the film and television industry.”

NSI Storytellers

The National Screen Institute in association with APTN designed NSI Storytellers to develop above-the-line broadcast talent. It provides training for emerging Canadian Aboriginal writers, directors and producers during the development of a scripted TV serial broadcast on APTN. Cashing In - the culmination of these three streams of training - is currently in post-production and slated for broadcast in winter 2009.

NSI New Voices

This full-time program for young Aboriginal adults aged 18 to 35 offers skills development training and a paid internship in an industry setting. It aims to inspire participants by exposing them to a variety of creative and challenging job opportunities, and to provide a culturally-sensitive, well-rounded understanding of industry job requirements.

NSI Drama Prize

Training is provided to teams in writing, directing and producing; successful teams receive up to $10,000 in cash and up to $30,000 in services to produce a professional quality short film (10 minutes or less) under the guidance and mentorship of senior industry professionals.

NSI Totally Television

This program trains teams to develop and produce a series for Canadian audiences and work towards a development deal with a broadcaster. Students learn about market conditions, trends, the viability of certain genres, marketing and pitching. Wapos Bay (APTN), ‘da Kink in My Hair (Global) and Less Than Kind (Rogers) were all developed through NSI Totally Television.

About the National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

The National Screen Institute is a national training school widely known for its prestigious training programs for Canadian writers, directors and producers working in film, television and digital media. Most programs are part-time so students keep their day jobs while they train. Participants do not have to relocate – intensive training happens in one place and participants return home to work with a mentor for the rest of their program. All training is delivered by senior industry experts.