Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2008.
News release: July 22, 2008
The National Screen Institute is proud to announce the $25,000 target for the Jim Murphy Filmmakers Bursary has been met, thanks to the generosity of Jim’s circle of friends, former employers, colleagues, associates, students and admirers.
“That we met our target so quickly is a testament to the high regard people in the industry had for Jim,” said Jane Gutteridge, close friend and member of the bursary committee. “His contribution to Canadian film and his generous mentoring nature are being honoured and remembered with affection. He is greatly missed.”
In response to the support received towards the bursary, the target has been increased to $30,000 to account for cost-of-living increases over the 10 year run of the bursary.
The Jim Murphy Filmmakers Bursary is a $2,500 award that will be presented annually to a team going through the NSI Features First program that develops an inventive and creatively-integrated marketing plan as part of the program requirements in the first phase of training.
“This award recognizes two aspects of the business Jim was passionate about: marketing and training,” said Brendon Sawatzky, NSI Features First Program Manager. “We are excited to see the impact this award will have on the winning team’s marketing proposal.”
To make a contribution please visit the Jim Murphy Filmmakers Bursary page on the NSI website. Any amount is gratefully accepted and tax receipts will be issued.
The NSI Features First program is currently accepting applications. The deadline for is Monday, September 22, 4:30 p.m., Central Time.
The initial $25,000 goal was achieved through the generosity of over 40 individual and company donations and the founding $15,000 donation from longtime colleagues and friends René Malo (Fondation René Malo), Stephen Greenberg (President, Incendo Media Inc.), Dan Lyon (Regional Feature Film Executive for Telefilm Canada who worked closely with Jim at Astral, Motion and T.V.A.) and the National Screen Institute.
About Jim Murphy
Jim Murphy had over 35 years experience in commercial feature film distribution with Canadian companies Bellevue Films, Astral Films, Malofilm Communications, Motion International and T.V.A. Films. Through these companies he also represented a number of US studios.
He was involved in the acquisition and marketing of hundreds of Canadian and international productions including Dead Ringers, Ginger Snaps, Duct Tape Forever, Better Than Chocolate, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Art of War, Once Were Warriors, Margaret’s Museum and Century Hotel. Jim was also in senior management for several years with the Ontario Film Development Corporation (now OMDC).
In 2003 Jim joined NSI as program manager of NSI Features First. Participants in the program benefited from his advice, experience-sharing, contacts, encyclopedic knowledge of film and genuine interest in and commitment to training Canada’s emerging filmmakers. One of his legacies will be the films developed through NSI Features First that premiere on screens across Canada and the world.
NSI Features First was launched in 1997 in association with Telefilm Canada. This program is for writers, producers and directors working on their first or second feature film. It aims to help filmmakers hone their script while also understanding the business aspects of feature film development.
Significantly, eleven of 38 features developed through the program have gone on to be produced. The films have won awards, debuted at prestigious festivals and played in commercial theatres. They are: Love and Other Dilemmas, Fetching Cody, 7 Times Lucky, On the Corner, Goldirocks, Leaving Metropolis, Flower & Garnet, Turning Paige, Inertia, Violet, My Father’s Angel.
Media enquiries
Glynis Corkal, Marketing & Communications Manager
Tel: 204-957-2995 | Email: glynis.corkal@nsi-canada.ca
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