Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

New short from Cody Kennedy, Tim Rutherford premieres at SXSW

Posted: 11 Feb 2019 10:53 AM PST

The Video Store Commercial, a new short from Cody Kennedy and Tim Rutherford (TELUS STORYHIVE), will have its world premiere at SXSW Film Festival next month in Austin, Texas.

In the film, a desperate video store owner hires a crew to shoot a commercial in his shop. But when they accidentally destroy a cursed VHS, suddenly all their lives are in danger. And worse yet, the commercial may never get finished …

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Sound of Tears

Posted: 08 Feb 2019 12:28 PM PST

Amina and her family have fled the city to escape her estranged lover and the stamp of shame from their patriarchal community.

Creative team

Writer/director/producer: Dorothy A. Atabong

Filmmaker’s statement

Sound of Tears is a story about a woman who finds herself at a crossroads and must choose between a husband in a forced marriage and her lover. She must choose. There is no in-between.

The story for Sound of Tears came about when I stumbled upon a newspaper article about a young woman who found herself in a conflict situation for going against her family’s wishes. As I researched the topic, I found similar stories of women around the world finding themselves in the same predicament, many falling victims to honour-based violence.

After having conversations with human rights advocates and organizations it became evident this was an epidemic. Almost every country in the world has had several incidents. All the advocates and experts agreed many more cases go unreported.

I felt the most effective way to raise awareness was to create in the medium of film to reach as many people as possible worldwide. I then wrote what was the first draft of nine pages, a story that grew and matured as years passed.

The making of this film has been a very fulfilling and awe-inspiring process. Wearing so many hats posed an inherent challenge that would never have been overcome without our incredible cast and crew. I relied heavily on faith, instincts and words of advice from the wonderful and talented people that surrounded me, working very long hours determined to realize this short film with a cause so paramount, to the very end.

We hope you take from this piece the many elements and the message we’ve all worked so very hard to deliver.

About Dorothy A. Atabong

First-time director Dorothy A. Atabong was born and raised in Cameroon, Central Africa and educated in the US and Canada. She obtained a BSc. in biochemistry from Michigan before changing coats and moving on to graduate from the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre in New York with a degree in dramatic arts. At age 19 she published her novel The Princess of Kaya, which she later adapted into a screenplay.

Dorothy is an award-winning actress both on stage and screen. She has been featured in the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, National Post, BBC World Cup Magazine and ScreenAfrica, and was invited to participate in the Women in The Director’s Chair workshop in Banff, Canada.

Her feature-length screenplay Daisy’s Heart won the 2011 best low-budget script at the Female Eye Film Festival, and is currently in development.

Sound Of Tears has screened at over 35 festivals worldwide and has won numerous awards, including the African Movie Academy Award in 2015. She is currently developing a short film with the working title Love, Bruises & Love, about tolerance and inclusivity.

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