NS Pulse January 2012

by Chris Pauley

• Congratulations to Ashley McKenzie, whose short film Rhonda’s Party was recognized by the Toronto International Film Festival’s annual “Canada’s Top Ten”.  For the other winners, please visit http://tiff.net/topten/shorts. Jason Eisner’s Hobo With a Shotgun received similar recognition in the feature films category; the other winners can be found at http://tiff.net/topten/features

• Also, congratulations to Ashley McKenzie and producers Nelson MacDonald and Martha Cooley, whose short film, When You Sleep is being produced through the National Screen Institute’s Drama Prize

• The 2012 Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival (HIFF) is dedicated to the exhibition of film and video as art, in a noncompetitive setting free from commercial agendas, and focuses on the short film as a form of expression for Canadian artists.  It will take place from April 10-14, 2012.  Screening themes are “Atlantic Canada Narrative Screening” (celebrating films in narrative form from all four Atlantic provinces),  “Atlantic Women in Film Screening” (in partnership with WIFT-AT, celebrating films from Atlantic Canadian women), and “Atlantic Canada Experimental Screening” (seeking the unusual and unique from across the Atlantic provinces).  The deadline for entries is February 10, 2012, and submission materials can be found here.  For information on HIFF sponsorship opportunities please contact Greg Morris-Poultney at 902-405-4474 ext 3 or via email at admin@afcoop.ca.

• Film Nova Scotia will be holding information sessions on Thursday, January 19th, 2012 to prepare producers for the 2012 funding deadlines. All sessions will be held in the Acadia Room on the first floor of the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, 1919 Upper Water Street, Halifax, NS. The sessions will include a Bridge Award Information Session, wherein an overview of the program guidelines and components of a good application package will be covered. Sessions will also include an overview of Film Nova Scotia program and tax credit guidelines, including   information on the EastLink TV Independent Production Fund.  Finally, producers will have the opportunity to hear an overview of the next steps to take once film financing is received. The session will focus on what producers need to know when going to the bank including required materials and next steps to follow.  Please RSVP to Maureen Joudrey at joudremf@gov.ns.ca before the end of the day January 16th, 2012, outlining which sessions you will be attending.

• AFCOOP launches new “Storytellers Contribute” fundraiser in support of its many film-related initiatives. The new campaign offers the community a chance to contribute to AFCOOP’s various initiatives through its web-based “Storytellers Contribute” fund-raising program, which seeks to provide essential filmmaking tools, training, and opportunities to its members and the community.  The project’s goal is to raise $17,000 before the end of January 2012. Donations can be made through AFCOOP’s fund-raising website at www.storytellerscontribute.ca. Gifts in excess of $25 are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

Related posts:

1. NS Pulse
2. PEI Pulse January 2011