Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008.
News release: Dec. 3, 2008
The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) is pleased to announce the successful filmmakers who will develop their feature film projects through the
NSI Features First training program run by the National Screen Institute, in association with Presenting Sponsor Telefilm Canada.
NSI Features First is a 10-month professional development program for Canadian filmmakers working on their first or second feature.
The selected film projects (with synopses) and teams for 2008/09 are:
Hunter Hunter | writer/director Shawn Linden; producer Megan Heke (Winnipeg, MB)
A rugged fur trapper tracks a renegade wolf through the woods, and stumbles upon the grisly dumping site of a serial killer. Instead of calling police, the experienced hunter lays out bear traps around the bodies, and waits in hiding for the predator to return with another victim...
Rebel Angels | writer Bradley Sawatzky; director Shereen Jerrett; producer Polly Washburn (Winnipeg, MB)
Thomas Steiner, a WW2 double agent, awakes in a hospital suffering from shell shock. As he struggles to piece together his shattered memories, he must decide if the doctors are treating him or attempting to break his cover.
The Retreat | writer/producer Alyson Richards; director Pat Mills (Toronto, ON)
Attempting to revive their troubled relationship, Mandy takes her girlfriend on a romantic getaway to a secluded spa in the woods. When the other guests start being killed off one by one, the two women find themselves trapped at The Retreat – and someone is watching.
The Summer We Ran | writer/director Bill Taylor; producer Richard Blonski (Toronto, ON)
Two boys run away from summer camp and must confront the wilderness and themselves for the first time.
The teams begin their training in December in Toronto under the guidance of
Program Manager Brendon Sawatzky and Program Advisor Marguerite Pigott. They will continue work on their projects in their home communities with several critical deadlines to be met throughout the year in order to continue with the training. Participants whose projects meet all the deadlines will conclude their training next September at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Jim Murphy Filmmakers Bursary
Jim Murphy was a valued friend of the National Screen Institute and former NSI Features First program manager. He was one of the strongest advocates and supporters for the Canadian film industry. To honour Jim’s memory, NSI established the
Jim Murphy Filmmakers Bursary to be awarded annually to a NSI Features First team.
Beginning with this session, a $2,500 award will be given annually to an NSI Features First program team that develops an inventive and creatively-integrated marketing plan as part of the program requirements in the first phase of training. After phase one, marketing plans will be reviewed. The team with the most original, innovative and dynamic marketing plan that complements and showcases their feature film project will be awarded the bursary. Only teams that apply to and are selected for NSI Features First are eligible for the Jim Murphy Filmmakers Bursary.
For more information on the bursary or to make a contribution visit the NSI website. All amounts are gratefully accepted and tax receipts will be issued.
About NSI Features First
Since its launch in 1997, films developed through NSI Features First have won or been nominated for a plethora of industry and festival awards and debuted at prestigious festivals across the world. These films have also gone on to play in commercial theatres across Canada and on national networks and specialty channels including CBC, Movie Central and The Movie Network. Eleven features developed through the program have been produced.
About the National Screen Institute (NSI)
NSI is 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.
NSI Features First is made possible by Presenting Sponsor Telefilm Canada; Program Partners The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation and Canwest; Supporting Sponsor Corus Entertainment Inc.; Provincial Sponsor MANITOBA FILM & SOUND; and Service Sponsor William F. White International Inc.