New generation of Canadian filmmakers prepare for short film production

Today at NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival emerging filmmakers from Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg and Calgary were announced as the newest participants for the NSI Drama Prize training program, presented by CBC Television with support from program partner The Brian Linehan Foundation.
Coordinated by the National Screen Institute, NSI Drama Prize is a professional training program which culminates in the production of a short film. Up to five teams receive one year of professional training, $9,500 cash, over $30,000 in services and customized training in writing, directing, producing and access to professional contacts and mentors.
From the recent submissions, 12 were short-listed for jury consideration.

The following five teams were chosen for the 2007-2008 NSI Drama Prize program.
The Auburn Hills Breakdown (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Producer: Katie Weekley
Writer/director: Geoff Redknap
Award sponsor: Telefilm
Dinx (Edmonton, Alberta)
Producer: William Minsky
Writer/director: Trevor Anderson
Award sponsor: The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation
Marjorie O'Brien's Trip to the Fridge (Toronto, Ontario)
Producer: Alyson Richards
Writer/director: Pat Mills
Award sponsor: Rogers Telefund
Night Travellers (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Producer: Michael Linton
Writer/director: Shelagh Carter
Award sponsor: NSI Alumni Fund
Tigers at the Gate (Calgary, Alberta)
Producer: Patrick McLaughlin
Writer/director: Sonal Sudra
Award sponsor: Alliance Atlantis
"Year after year we see huge successes from each of our NSI Drama Prize teams as their films are shown at festivals and win awards around the world - from the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival to the Vancouver International Film Festival and beyond," said Susan Millican, National Screen Institute CEO. "These emerging filmmakers continue to prove themselves and make us very proud."
"CBC is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the NSI Drama Prize," said Carl Karp Area Executive Producer, Program Development, CBC Television. "Our support speaks to CBC's commitment to emerging writers, directors and filmmakers from across Canada. This year's NSI Drama Prize films are particularly strong. CBC looks forward to showcasing them to the entire country on Canadian Reflections."
Following their week-long intensive training sessions in Winnipeg, this year's selected NSI Drama Prize participants will return home to work on their films - scheduled for their world premiere at the 2008 NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival in Winnipeg.
The 2006-2007 NSI Drama Prize teams celebrate their world premieres this week. Each short film will screen prior to a feature film during NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival at the Globe Cinema, Portage Place, Winnipeg and during the Showcase of Canadian Shorts, shown each afternoon.
The films are:
Apparent Woes (Toronto, Ontario)
Producer: Karitsa Tye
Writer/director: Lisa Robertson
Screening times: Mar. 2 at 1:30 PM & 7 PM - Globe Cinema
Eastern Shore (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
Producer: Drew Hagen
Writer/director: Eva Madden
Screening times: Mar. 1 at 7 PM & Mar. 3 at 1:30 PM - Globe Cinema
Les Grands (Montreal, Quebec)
Producer: Christine Falco
Writer/director: Chloé Leriche
Screening times: Mar. 2 at 9:45 PM & Mar. 3 at 1:30 PM - Globe Cinema
Silver Road (Toronto, Ontario)
Producer: Elise Cousineau
Writer/director: William Taylor
Screening times: Feb. 28 at 1:30 PM & Mar. 3 at 8:30 PM - Globe Cinema
The Cabinet (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Producer: Karen Wong
Writer/director: Karen Lam
Screening times: Mar. 1 at 1:30 & 9:45 PM - Globe Cinema
CBC Television is the national presenting sponsor of NSI Drama Prize. The program partner is The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation. Service Sponsors for NSI Drama Prize are: Deluxe, Kodak Canada Inc., Multimedia Risk Inc. Consultants and Insurance Brokers, PS Production Services Ltd., William F. White International Inc., British Columbia Film and MANITOBA FILM & SOUND.
Tickets for the NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival are available at the Prairie Theatre Exchange Box Office, 3rd Floor, Portage Place, Winnipeg, 204-942-5483.
Full and daily delegate passes for the festival can be purchased through the National Screen Institute, 400-141 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, 204-956-7800 / 800-952-9307.
Visit www.nsi-canada.ca for more information about NSI Drama Prize and NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival including all film listings for the Showcase of Canadian Shorts, feature films and the Telefilm Canada Industry Centre sessions.
The National Screen Institute – Canada, with headquarters in Winnipeg, is Canada’s oldest nationally-recognized film and television training school. The National Screen Institute helps emerging writers, directors and producers bring their stories to life to share at home and abroad. Its market-driven programs have led to employment for National Screen Institute graduates by giving them a competitive edge — according to the latest National Screen Institute Alumni Survey, 97% of respondents are working in the industry.