Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Films from NSI grads nominated for Manito Ahbee’s 2019 Indigenous Film Award

Posted: 07 May 2019 02:59 PM PDT

Run As One: The Journey of the Front Runners from director Erica Daniels (CBC New Indigenous Voices, pictured left) and Headdress from director JJ Neepin (NSI IndigiDocs, pictured right) are nominated for the first ever Manito Ahbee Indigenous Film Award.

In Run As One: The Journey of the Front Runners, members of the 1967 Pan Am Games Indigenous torch-running team reunite 50 years later to share their memories and to discuss the injustice and disappointment they faced at the end of their journey.

In Headdress, filmmaker JJ Neepin recreates her great-grandfather’s portrait with the help of photographer Nadya Kwandibens, exploring the responsibility of wearing a headdress.

The Indigenous Film Award is presented at the Indigenous Music Awards ceremony, held May 17 at Club Regent Event Centre in Winnipeg.

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Web series Tokens from producer Trinni Franke premieres on YouTube

Posted: 07 May 2019 10:33 AM PDT

Tokens, a new web series from writer/director Winnifred Jong and producer Trinni Franke (NSI Features First), is now available to stream on YouTube.

The series follows the actors of an on-call casting agency specializing in diversity. Whoever is ‘on call’ is randomly sent by dispatcher Betty to producers desperate to hit their diversity quotas, often cast in a role they least expect. Think Uber for actors.

The series is a fun-loving, tongue-in-cheek look at the challenges of making film and television in the era of political correctness.

Watch all eight episodes on YouTube.

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Biker Bob’s Posthumous Adventure by Cat Mills + 2 more films in this week’s NSI Online Short Film Festival

Posted: 07 May 2019 10:18 AM PDT

Three new films in this week’s NSI Online Short Film Festival from directors Cat Mills, Tristin Greyeyes and Heather Taylor.

Biker Bob’s Posthumous Adventure

Biker Bob’s Posthumous Adventure | Documentary, 18:09, English, ON, 2019 | Director: Cat Mills

When Bethany and Caleb Harding were walking along China Beach on Vancouver Island in 2016, the last thing they expected to find was a message in a bottle. It said, “Biker Bob. If you find me, turn me loose.”

Also in the bottle: Bob’s ashes.

On the back of the message, another note was scribbled in newer ink: “It seems like Bob was the type of guy who enjoyed a drink. I took him out for a beer, you should do the same.”

Throughout 2016, the bottle washed ashore three times. Each time, a different person took Bob out for for a celebratory pint, then tossed him back to sea. But who was Biker Bob? And how did he end up travelling the West Coast in a bottle?

Biker Bob’s Posthumous Adventure follows the bizarre mystery of Biker Bob and his afterlife visits across Vancouver Island. It’s a truly remarkable story – with twists and turns – about a man on a motorcycle, a group of strangers who became friends and the enduring power of love.

I’m Not Next

I’m Not Next | Drama, 9:10, English, SK, 2018 | Director: Tristin Greyeyes

A mother escapes an abusive relationship with her daughter. They go to the only place they feel safe: their reserve.

The mother learns she is always going to be a target of violence. She takes back her power by fighting not only for herself but also for her daughter. Will it be enough to get home?

Stitched

Stitched | Sci-fi/Horror, 3:35, English, AB, 2016 | Director: Heather Taylor

A sheltered woman, reeling from the death of her mother, shows her sister how far she will go to be heard.

• • •

Call for films / submit by June 14

We’re accepting films through FilmFreeway until Friday, June 14, 2019. Films chosen during this call period will play in the NSI Online Short Film Festival from June 24 to September 13, 2019.

We accept films released after January 1, 2014. If your film is programmed, you have a chance of winning the A&E Short Filmmakers Award for best film.

All NSI Online Short Film Festival winners receive a complimentary Friend membership for the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and are qualified to be nominated for a Canadian Screen Award (if award criteria are met).

Read about the most recent winner.

Your film must be less than 30 mins. Drama, comedy, animation, documentary, sci-fi, horror, music video and experimental are all eligible and must be made by a Canadian writer, director or producer.

Submit your film

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is made possible through the support of Festival Partner Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsors Corus Entertainment, CBC Gem, Super Channel; Award Sponsor A&E Television Networks; Industry Partner the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

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