Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008.
News release: July 16, 2007
The National Screen Institute — Canada in association with Telefilm Canada and program partner The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, is seeking Canadian filmmaking teams to participate in NSI Features First 2007 – a professional development program designed to help emerging filmmakers advance their first or second feature film.
Up to five teams are chosen for this 10-month, three-phase program. Teams are selected based on the strength of their film concepts and the potential development and packaging of their film projects. The curriculum includes script and story development, market research, legal requirements, pitching, financing, distribution as well as marketing and sales training - delivered by leaders in the Canadian film industry. The teams chosen for the program are not required to pay tuition fees or relocate and, after initial training, learning opportunities are developed close to home.
Teams must apply with a feature film script.
Guidelines and application forms are available at: www.nsi-canada.ca/featuresfirst.
Applications must be received by Friday, September 28, 2007.
Since the program began in 1997, 11 out of 33 projects developed through NSI Features First have been produced.
Love and Other Dilemmas by writer Deb Peraya, director Larry Di Stefano and producer Clare Hodge is the most recent film to be developed through NSI Features First. In 2006 the film had its world premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival and in 2007 was showcased at the NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival.
Fetching Cody by writer/director David Ray and producer Carolyn Allain had its world premiere at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival. The film won the Director's Choice: Best Feature award at the 2006 Sedona International Film Festival and has screened at many festivals around the world.
7 Times Lucky, written and directed by Gary Yates and produced by Liz Jarvis had its world premiere at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, won a Genie Award for Best Achievement in Music — Original Song (2006), won Best Picture and Best Screenplay at The Method Fest Independent Film Festival in Los Angeles and was nominated for two Directors Guild of Canada Awards.
NSI Features First is presented in association with Telefilm Canada. Additional funding generously provided by Program Partner, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation.
Media enquiries:
Glynis Corkal, Marketing and Communications Manager
Tel: 204-957-2995 | Email: glynis.corkal@nsi-canada.ca