The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is running September 24 to October 4, bringing filmmakers and audiences together for screenings and industry events.

This year, National Screen Institute alum have work screening throughout the festival, with contributions to feature films, documentaries and shorts. Alum are also taking part in the festival’s industry conference, sharing perspectives on completing and releasing a first feature film.

Please join us in celebrating the following alum and their work:

Festival screenings

• BID16 – produced by Ryan Bobkin (Telefilm Talent to Watch)
• Ceremony – directed and produced by Banchi Hanuse (NSI Art of Business Management)
• (Haboolm Ksinaalgat) Soul Catcher – co-directed, executive produced, produced and edited by Amanda Strong (NSI IndigiDocs) and co-written by Bracken Hanuse-Corlett (NSI IndigiDocs)
• How We Stand – directed, produced and written by Marie Clements (NSI Storytellers, Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, Elevate) and produced by Trish Dolman (NSI Features First)
• I Come Home – directed and produced by Glen Wood (NSI Features First) and executive produced by Paula Devonshire (NSI Features First, Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, NSI Totally Television)
• In Alaska – featuring Zorga Qaunaq (TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators)
• In the Heart of the South – produced by Laura Perlmutter (NSI Drama Prize) and featuring Rob Ramsay (NSI Totally Television) and Zorga Qaunaq (TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators)
• Lumi – produced by Scott Lepp (NSI Features First)
• Middle of Nowhere – co-directed, executive produced, produced and co-written by Alex Eskandarkhah (Access BIPOC Producers)
• Nitassinan – co-written by Emilie Porry (Access BIPOC Producers)
• Pocket Mirror – produced by Priscilla Galvez (Telefilm Talent to Watch)
• Strong Son – directed, produced, written and co-edited by Ian Bawa (NSI Totally Television, NSI Business for Producers, Telefilm Talent to Watch) and executive produced by Kyle Bornais (NSI Features First)
• The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony – produced by Amar Lohana (Access BIPOC Producers) and directed, produced and written by Habiba Nosheen (Access BIPOC Producers)
• The Snake – directed and executive produced by Jenna MacMillan (Telefilm Talent to Watch), produced by Sharlene Kelly (Telefilm Talent to Watch) and written and executive produced by Susan Kent (Telefilm Talent to Watch), who also appears in the film
• The Stunt Driver – directed, produced and written by Michael Dowse (NSI Drama Prize)
• The Wind’s Thirst – directed, produced and written by Alejandro Valbuena (Telefilm Talent to Watch), who also served as cinematographer
• Where the River Begins – directed and written by Juan Andrés Arango (Access BIPOC Producers)
• WWW: The Women’s Group – directed, produced and written by Wendy Hill-Tout (DramaLab)
• Yolkless Press – cinematography by Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi (Access BIPOC Producers)

Industry conversations

Megan Shott (Telefilm Talent to Watch) will moderate “From Dream to Debut: Completing Your First Feature” on September 27 at 1 p.m. in the Delta Hotel’s Selkirk Room. The panel brings together first-time feature filmmakers to discuss the challenges of completing and releasing a debut film. The conversation will explore festival strategy, distribution, marketing and reaching audiences, with speakers sharing lessons from their own experiences.

Congratulations to all National Screen Institute alum represented at CIFF this year.

If you have a project or event at this year’s festival that is not listed here, we’d love to hear from you. Please email ashna.sharma@nsi-canada. 

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The Edmonton International Film Festival (EIFF) celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, with screenings taking place September 24 to October 3. National Screen Institute alum are part of this year’s festival through their work as directors, writers and producers, as well as their contributions behind the scenes.

We’re pleased to celebrate their work and the stories they’re sharing with Edmonton audiences.

Film screenings

• Ceremony – directed and produced by Banchi Hanuse (NSI Art of Business Management)
• How We Stand – directed by Marie Clements (NSI Storytellers, Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, Elevate)
• Soul Catcher (Haboolm Ksinaalgat) – co-directed by Amanda Strong (NSI IndigiDocs)
• Strong Son – directed and written by Ian Bawa (NSI Totally Television, NSI Business for Producers, Telefilm Talent to Watch)
• təm kʷaθ nan – Namesake – co-directed by Evan Adams (Featuring Aboriginal Stories)
• Turtle Island Rap – directed and written by Alexandra Lazarowich (Indigenous Languages and Culture Documentary Project, NSI IndigiDocs)

Behind the scenes

Kerrie Long (NSI Global Marketing) contributes to this year’s festival as a programmer, writer and jury wrangler.

Congratulations to our alum and their collaborators, and to the Edmonton International Film Festival on its 40th anniversary!

If you have a project or event at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival that is not listed here, we’d love to hear from you. Please email ashna.sharma@nsi-canada.

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The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) begins today, bringing storytellers and audiences from around the world together in Toronto.

This year, National Screen Institute alum are represented throughout the festival, with their work screening at TIFF, recognition among the nominees for the 2026 Indiescreen Awards and participation in industry events and conversations.

As part of TIFF, The Creative Exchange brings together disabled producers and storytellers with partners from CBC, the Disability Screen Office, Accessible Media Inc. and the National Screen Institute for an afternoon of connection. The event includes “Shaping the Future of Producing: Takeaways from the NSI Disabled Producers Lab”, moderated by Disabled Producers Lab co-lead Ophira Calof in conversation with producers and lab alum Deydra Baptiste and Shay Erlich. National Screen Institute executive director Christine Kleckner and senior manager of programs and development Ursula Lawson will be in attendance.

Please join us in celebrating the following alum and their work.

Festival screenings

• Allegiance – produced by Erin Haskett (NSI Drama Prize)
• Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story – executive produced by Mark Montefiore (NSI Totally Television)
• How We Stand – directed and produced by Marie Clements (NSI Storytellers, Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, Elevate) and produced by Trish Dolman (NSI Features First)
• In the Heart of the South – produced by Laura Perlmutter (NSI Drama Prize)
• Permanent Damage – produced by Daniel Bekerman (NSI Features First)
• Strong Son – directed by Ian Bawa (NSI Totally Television, NSI Business for Producers, Telefilm Talent to Watch) and executive produced by Kyle Bornais (NSI Features First)
• The Stunt Driver – directed by Michael Dowse (NSI Drama Prize)
• Turtle Island Rap – directed by Alexandra Lazarowich (Indigenous Languages and Culture Documentary Project, NSI IndigiDocs)
• Where the River Begins – directed by Juan Andrés Arango (Access BIPOC Producers)

Industry events

• Building a Home for Independent Voices & Storytelling – Michael Dowse
• DGC Visionaries Session 1 – Heather Hawthorn-Doyle (NSI Global Marketing MIPTV)
• DGC Visionaries Session 3 (How We Stand) – Marie Clements
• DGC Visionaries Session 3 (moderator) – Danis Goulet (NSI Drama Prize)
• DGC Visionaries Session 3 (Turtle Island Rap) – Alexandra Lazarowich
• DGC Visionaries Session 5 (The Stunt Driver) – Michael Dowse
• Everything Old is IP Again – Michael Dowse
• From the Front Lines: Producer Advocates – Damon D’Oliveira (Telefilm Canada Spark Plug Program)
• From the Front Lines: Producer Advocates – Kyle Irving (NSI Global Marketing MIPCOM)
• Having a Moment: Canadian Documentaries – Alexandra Lazarowich
• Independent Film is Dead. Long Live Independent Film! – Daniel Bekerman
• North is Now: Indigenous Storytelling in the Arctic – Kerry Swanson (NSI Drama Prize)
• SeriesFest Pitch-A-Thon Roadshow – Christina Fon (NSI Global Marketing MIPTV)
• Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch 2026 – Mily Mumford (Disabled Producers Lab)
• When Ambition Outgrows the Workflow: Making the Leap to Bigger Stories – Ian Singh Bawa

2026 International Financing & Project Market projects

Feature Film

• The Gain – produced by Jason James (NSI Totally Television)
• My Only Sunshine – directed by Jessica Landry (Cinematoba, NSI Series Incubator)
• Savage – producer / directed by Darlene Naponse (NSI Features First)
• Sher – produced by Rajiv Maikhuri (Telefilm Spark Plug Program)
• The Vinyl Diaries – produced and directed by Glen Wood (NSI Features First)

Series

• The Brontës – produced by Natalie Urquhart (NSI Totally Television)
• The Knife – created and written by KC Carthew (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Features First)

Creative Development Programmes

• 2026 Series Creators’ Lab Projects – Eva Thomas, Darren Anthony (NSI Totally Television)
• 2026 TIFF Writers’ Lab Participant – Reem Morsi (NSI Series Incubator)

2026 Indiescreen Award nominees

Five National Screen Institute alum are among the producers recognized through this year’s Indiescreen Award nominations.

Feature Film Producer Indiescreen Award

• Permanent Damage, Daniel Bekerman
• How We Stand, Marie Clements and Trish Dolman

TV Producer Indiescreen Award

• Allegiance, Erin Haskett, Lark Productions
• Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story, Mark Montefiore, New Metric Media

The Indiescreen Awards, presented by the Canadian Media Producers Association, recognize independent producers whose work contributes to Canada’s screen-based media industry.

Congratulations to all National Screen Institute alum participating in TIFF this year.

If you have a project or event at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival that is not listed here, we’d love to hear from you. Please email ashna.sharma@nsi-canada.

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The Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF) returns July 22 – 26, bringing together filmmakers and audiences for five days of international cinema, industry events and conversation.

This year’s festival features National Screen Institute alum both on screen and behind the scenes, alongside institute-led programming that celebrates Indigenous storytelling and emerging talent.

Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill, manager of programs and development at the National Screen Institute, will moderate Every Story Has the Power to Inspire Change: Celebrating Indigenous Storytelling, Career Pathways and Industry Impact.

The panel will explore the importance of Indigenous storytelling, provide a behind-the-scenes look at CBC New Indigenous Voices 2026 and feature a conversation with alum Nathaniel Jordan Magbanua, Lindsay Jade, Matthew Shoup, Roger Boyer and Dinae Robinson. Together, they reflect on the lasting impact of the program, with participants representing cohorts from 2007 through 2024, before taking part in an audience Q&A.

Festival audiences can also see Catalogue, directed by Danielle Sturk, who recently served as a program advisor for NSI Intro to Production – Manitoba Francophone Edition.

Alum at GIFF

Please join us in celebrating the following alum whose work is screening at this year’s festival:

• Akashi – produced by Nach Dudsdeemaytha (Access BIPOC Producers)
• Black Zombie – produced by Jennifer Holness (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Global Marketing, Telefilm Canada Spark Plug)
• Blood Lines – produced by Paula Devonshire (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, NSI Totally Television) and featuring Dana Solomon (NSI Art of Business Management)
• Ceremony – directed and produced by Banchi Hanuse (NSI Art of Business Management)
• I for NDN – directed by Darryl Nepinak (NSI Aboriginal Youth Pilot Project)

RBC Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition

Congratulations to alum John Luke (CBC New Indigenous Voices), who has been named a finalist in the 15th annual RBC $15,000 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition for his film Sun Shower.

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The BANFF World Media Festival runs June 14 to 17, bringing together screen industry leaders, creators and professionals for four days of panels, keynotes, market access, networking opportunities and the Rockie Awards.

This year’s festival will see alumni taking part in the Indigenous Screen Summit, the Diversity of Voices: Elevate program, speaking on panels and as Rockie Award nominees.

Join us in celebrating their hard work and achievements. Congratulations!

Indigenous Screen Summit

• Holly Fortier (TELUS STORYHIVE)
• Jeremy Torrie (NSI Storytellers, NSI Aboriginal Cultural Trade Initiative)
• Janelle Wookey (NSI Business for Producers)

Diversity of Voices: Elevate

• Brishkay Ahmed (Access BIPOC Producers)

Rockie awards nominees

Docuseries

• Crip Trip – Catapult Pictures (Fred Kroetsch, NSI Business for Producers)

Social Issues & Current Affairs

• The Assembly – Small Army Entertainment (Sean De Vries, NSI Global Marketing)

BANFF World Media Festival speakers

• Meet a Filmmaker – Erica Meus-Saunders (NSI Business for Producers), Fred Kroetsch, Alyson Richards (NSI Drama Prize), Lisa Rose Snow (NSI Drama Prize)
• Optimists Only: Building Content Businesses in a “Shrinking” Market – Erin Haskett (NSI Drama Prize)
• Production Partners; Spotlight: Bell Media – Jennifer Harkness (NSI Features First)
• Canadian Producers: The Work Of Now; Production Partners – Kyle Irving (NSI Global Marketing)
• Banff World Media Festival – Lisa Meeches (NSI Storytellers)
• The Director’s Cut: AI, Automation, and the Value of Human Creativity – Lisa Rose Snow, Alyson Richards
• Becoming Creator-Savvy: Making the Affordable Hit – Mark Montefiore (NSI Totally Television)

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The National Screen Institute is proud to celebrate alum whose work was recognized at the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.

Held over three days from May 29 to 31, the awards recognize excellence in Canadian film, television and digital media.

Across this year’s awards, National Screen Institute alum were associated with 46 nominations and 10 wins. Their work spanned feature film, documentary, scripted and unscripted television, children’s programming and web series, highlighting the range of stories being brought to audiences by the institute’s alum community.

Please join us in congratulating the following alum on their achievements:

Winners

FILM

Best Feature Length Documentary 

• Endless Cookie – Daniel Bekerman (NSI Features First)

TV & DIGITAL MEDIA

Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series

• Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story – Ngardy Conteh George (Access BIPOC Producers), Alison Duke (Elevate)

Best Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series

• The Unstoppable Jenny Garcia – Mindy Laxer (NSI Global Marketing)

Best Direction, Comedy

• North of North – Zoe Hopkins (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program)

Best Direction, Documentary Program

• Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story – Alison Duke

Best Direction, TV Movie

• Dying in Plain Sight – Michelle Ouellet (NSI Totally Television)

Best Ensemble Performance, Comedy

• North of North – Zorga Qaunaq (TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators)

Best Picture Editing, Children’s or Youth

• Gangnam Project – Fabiola Caraza (Access BIPOC Producers)

Best Pre-School Program or Series

• Mittens & Pants – Norma Mendoza (NSI Drama Prize)

Best Writing, Documentary

• Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story – Alison Duke

Congratulations as well to the following alum whose work was nominated at the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards:

Nominees

FILM

Best Motion Picture

• 40 Acres – Jennifer Holness (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Global Marketing, Telefilm Canada Spark Plug)
• Blue Heron – Ryan Bobkin (Telefilm Talent to Watch), Sarah Wylie (Telefilm Talent to Watch), Sophy Romvari (Telefilm Talent to Watch)

Achievement in Direction

• Blue Heron – Sophy Romvari

Original Screenplay

• Blue Heron – Sophy Romvari

John Dunning Best First Feature Film Award

• Blue Heron – Ryan Bobkin, Sarah Wylie, Sophy Romvari
• 100 Sunset – Kunsang Kyirong (Telefilm Talent to Watch)

TV & DIGITAL MEDIA

Best Animated Short

• Ibuka Justice – Mylène Augustin (Access BIPOC Producers)

Best Achievement in Casting

• The Great Canadian Baking Show – Meredith Veats (NSI Lifestyle & Reality Series Producer)

Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series

• Beethoven’s Nine: Ode to Humanity – Jason Charters (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Global Marketing)

Best Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series

• Gangnam Project – Anthony Leo (NSI Totally Television, NSI Global Marketing)
• Collar of Duty Kids – Raj Panikkar (NSI Features First, NSI Global Marketing, Access BIPOC Producers)
• Green Squad – Mindy Laxer

Best Direction, Documentary Series

• Mafia: Most Wanted – Behind The Bosses – Trish Dolman (NSI Features First)
• Michelle Ross: Unknown Icon – Alison Duke

Best Direction, Drama Series

• Allegiance – Daddy Issues – Nimisha Mukerji (NSI Totally Television)

Best Direction, Factual

• Transplant Stories – The Life You Give – Sheona McDonald (NSI Global Marketing)

Best Direction, Lifestyle or Information

• Not Your Butter Chicken – Food is Sewa – Priyanka Desai (NSI Business for Producers, Access BIPOC Producers)
• Wild Rose Vets – Emergency Room – Frederick Kroetsch (NSI Business for Producers)

Best Direction, Web Program or Series

• FreeUp! Emancipation Day 2025 – Jokes, Jokes, Jokes – Chris Robinson – Ngozi Paul (Telefilm Canada Spark Plug Program, NSI Global Marketing)

Best Drama Series

• Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent – Erin Haskett (NSI Drama Prize)
• Wild Cards – Virginia Rankin (NSI Global Marketing)

Best Ensemble Performance, Comedy

• The Trades – Susan Kent (Telefilm Talent to Watch)

Best Guest Performance, Comedy

• Son of a Critch – The Last Stop – Susan Kent

Best History Documentary Program or Series

• The Christine Jessop Story – James Hyslop (NSI Features First)
• Mafia: Most Wanted – Trish Dolman

Best Lifestyle Program or Series

• Pamela’s Cooking with Love – Robert Hardy (NSI Totally Television), Trevor Hodgson (NSI Features First)

Best Live Entertainment Special

• Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025 – Stephanie Scott (NSI Storytellers), Vanessa Loewen (NSI Global Marketing), Adam Garnet Jones (NSI Storytellers, Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, NSI Diverse TV Director)

Best Pre-School Program or Series

• Bestest Day Ever with My Best Friend – Georgina López (NSI Drama Prize, Access BIPOC Producers)

Best Sound, Fiction

• North of North – Top of the World – Peter Murphy (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program)

Best TV Movie

• Dateless to Dangerous: My Son’s Secret Life – Jordana Aarons (NSI Totally Television, NSI Features First)

Best Web Program or Series, Fiction

• You’re My Hero – Colette Jeffs (NSI Features First)

Best Writing, Comedy

• Children Ruin Everything – Sex – Andrew De Angelis (NSI Totally Television)

Best Writing, Documentary

• Michelle Ross: Unknown Icon – Alison Duke

Spotlight Award for Best Direction

• The Way Home – I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song – Michelle Latimer (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Storytellers)

If you have a project or event at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards that is not listed here, we’d love to hear from you. Please email ashna.sharma@nsi-canada.

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The National Screen Institute is proud to celebrate alum whose work has been selected for the 2026 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, taking place June 2 to 7 in Toronto and June 8 to 14 online.

As a festival partner, the institute is pleased to support this year’s event. Executive director Christine Kleckner, operations manager Grace Bruinooge and manager of programs and development Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill will attend the festival in Toronto.

This year’s lineup includes 20 feature films, 82 shorts in a dozen curated programs, 13 digital and interactive works, 11 audio works and six exhibitions, representing 56 Indigenous Nations and 51 Indigenous languages from 20 countries. Among the selections are eight projects from National Screen Institute alum, including AKI by Darlene Naponse (NSI Features First), which opens the festival on June 2.

As we celebrate the achievements of alum at this year’s festival, we also take a moment to remember award-winning cellist and composer Cris Derksen, whose music is featured in AKI. Cris was a respected and influential voice in Indigenous arts and screen media, and their work touched countless creators and audiences. We extend our condolences to Cris’s family, friends and collaborators.

The National Screen Institute is honoured to recognize the following alum and their projects at the festival:

Features

• AKI – writer / director / producer Darlene Naponse (NSI Features First)
• Bloodlines – producer Paula Devonshire (NSI Features First, NSI Totally Television, Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program)
• Ceremony – writer / director / producer Banchi Hanuse (NSI Art of Business Management)
• Meadowlarks – director / screenwriter Tasha Hubbard (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, NSI IndigiDocs)
• Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising – director / screenwriter Shane Belcourt (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, NSI Totally Television)

Reality television

• APTN Presents: REZervations for Two – writer / director Vanessa Loewen (NSI Global Marketing)

Shorts

• cadèwašteya – writer / director / producer Nadine Arpin (NSI IndigiDocs)
• Niimi – director / screenwriter / producer Dana Solomon (NSI Art of Business Management)

If you have a project or event at this year’s festival that is not listed here, we’d love to hear from you. Please email as**********@********da.ca

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This year’s festival includes National Screen Institute alum nominated across Golden Sheaf Award categories, featured in the opening night screening and participating in industry panels and networking events.

National Screen Institute staff will also take part in festival programming, with director of partner support Chris Vajcner joining YFF Industry Connect and senior programs manager Ursula Lawson attending as a Yorkton Film Festival board member and co-chair of the festival’s industry programming committee.

From documentary and fiction to children’s programming, commercial work and factual series, the nominated projects highlight the range of stories these creators are bringing to audiences.

Please join us in congratulating the following alum.

Nominees

• Anorgasmia, also known as All the Things We Do to Survive – directed and produced by Jon Gustafsson (NSI Global Marketing)
  • Best feature drama / comedy over 70 minutes

• Ceremony – directed and produced by Banchi Hanuse (NSI Art of Business Management – Indigenous Edition)
  • Best feature documentary over 70 minutes
• Conexus: Different Perspective – produced by Allan Roeher (NSI Business for Producers – Saskatchewan Edition
  • Best commercial
• Crip Trip – episode 3, “Trippin’ through the Prairies” – directed by Frederick Kroetsch (NSI Business for Producers), Daniel Ennett and Rebecca Campbell
  • Lifestyle / WINNER
• daytoday – directed by Mark Wihak (NSI Drama Prize)
  • Experimental
• Game Changers – episode 111, “Bruce Horak” – directed by Chris McIvor (NSI Business for Producers)
  • Lifestyle
• HECKIN’ WEENS – produced by Simon Chan (TELUS STORYHIVE)
  • Outstanding colour grading
• History in 60 – Wheelchair Rugby – produced by Brent Kawchuk (NSI Drama Prize)
  • Kathleen Shannon Award
• Liam and Friends – directed and produced by Chad Blain (TELUS STORYHIVE)
  • Documentary science / nature / technology
• Love, Substitute – directed by John Barnard (NSI Features First)
  • Ruth Shaw Award – best of Saskatchewan
• Never Use Alone – directed by Colin Matthews (TELUS STORYHIVE)
  • Mental health / WINNER
  • Emerging filmmaker / WINNER
• Pencere / The Window – produced by Maytham Jbara (Access BIPOC Producers)
  • Indigenous award
• Pretty Blind – produced by Jenna MacMillan (Telefilm Talent to Watch)
  • Comedy / drama series
• Run the Marbles! – produced by Hoda Elatawi (NSI Global Marketing)
  • Children’s / youth
• SaskTel Business: Ripple Effect – produced by Allan Roeher
  • Best commercial
• SaskTel Cyber Security – produced by Allan Roeher
  • Best commercial
• Stories of the North – season 4 – directed and produced by Allia Janzen (NSI Crew Training for the Film + TV Industry – Saskatchewan), produced by Kyle Burgess (NSI Business for Producers – Saskatchewan Edition)
  • Children’s / youth
• The Assembly – directed by Heather Hawthorn Doyle (NSI Global Marketing), produced by Sean De Vries (NSI Global Marketing)
  • Factual documentary series
  • Kathleen Shannon Award / WINNER
• The Extraordinary Caterpillar – produced by Joanne Jackson (NSI Global Marketing)
  and Merit Jensen Carr (NSI Global Marketing)
  • Documentary science / nature / technology
• The Thawing of Ice – produced by Ziad Touma (NSI Totally Television)
  • Ruth Shaw Award – best of Saskatchewan, best feature drama / comedy over 70 minutes
• There Are No Words – directed by Min Sook Lee (Telefilm Canada Spark Plug Program)
  • Director fiction, best feature documentary over 70 minutes
• Treasure of the Rice Terraces – directed by Kent Donquines (TELUS STORYHIVE)
  • Multicultural / WINNER
• Uguen-Csenge Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising – directed by Shane Belcourt (NSI Totally Television, Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program)
  • Emerging filmmaker
  • Indigenous award / WINNER
• #vanlife – directed by Trevor Cameron (NSI Storytellers), produced by Anand Ramayya (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Totally Television, NSI Global Marketing, Access BIPOC Producers)
  • Best feature drama / comedy over 70 minutes

Festival screenings and industry programming

• Meadowlarks
  • Opening night screening
    Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m.
    Writer / director: Tasha Hubbard (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, NSI IndigiDocs)
• Panelist: Frederick Kroetsch
  • Crip Trip – Under the Hood of a Broken Down Van
    Friday, May 22 from 10:05 to 10:50 a.m.
• Panelist: Tasha Hubbard
  • The Full Frame: Including Wellness from Script to Screen
    Friday, May 22 from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m.
• Panelists: Adam Garnet Jones (NSI Storytellers, Diverse TV Director), Lynne Skromeda (NSI Global Marketing), Kyle Irving (NSI Global Marketing)
  • YFF Industry Connect: Make Meetings That Move Your Career or Project Forward
    Friday, May 22 from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.
• Panelists: Kyle Irving and Lynne Skromeda
  • Interprovincial Coproduction Case Study: From Concept to Collaboration
    Saturday, May 23 from 9:50 to 10:35 a.m.
• Panelist: Sean De Vries
  • Adapting the Format: Bringing The Assembly to Canada
    Saturday, May 23 from 10:40 to 11:25 a.m.
• Panelist: Lynne Skromeda
  • Stronger Together: Cracking the Code on Interprovincial Coproduction
    Saturday, May 23 from 9 to 9:45 a.m.

If you have a project or event at this year’s festival that is not listed here, we’d love to hear from you. Please email ashna.sharma@nsi-canada.

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CBC New Indigenous Voices offers 14 weeks of full-time, immersive training for Indigenous creators aged 18 and over. Participants learn from industry experts and gain hands-on experience across key areas of film and television production.

Applications for the 2026 edition close on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 12 p.m. Central Time. Learn more and apply

There is no fee to apply.

Topics discussed in the Q+A webinar include how the three phases of the program work, what to expect during the internship placement and how short film scripts are selected for production. Sarah also answers questions about eligibility, application requirements and what the selection committee looks for, as well as participant supports such as pay, transportation, meals, travel and accommodations.

The webinar also highlights the program’s learning environment, including mentorship from industry professionals, opportunities to build networks and the integration of cultural supports such as access to an Elder and optional cultural practices.

Training includes six weeks of workshops and sessions with industry professionals, a short film production where participants rotate through multiple crew roles with mentor support and a six-week internship with a production company, studio or broadcaster. Participants are paid Manitoba minimum wage during the program.

CBC New Indigenous Voices is an entry-level program. Applicants do not need formal film training and are encouraged to apply with a range of experience, including self-taught learning, high school coursework or post-secondary studies.

If you have further questions, please contact program manager Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill at sarahs [dot] yellowquill [at] nsi-canada [dot] ca.

• • •

CBC New Indigenous Voices 2026 is funded by Title, Presenting and Tuition Sponsor CBC; Program Partners Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, Neeginan Education, Training and Employment Services, Inc. (NETES), Telefilm Canada; Strategic Sponsors BC Film Foundation, The Winnipeg Foundation; Provincial Sponsor Manitoba Film & Music; Industry Supporters IATSE 856, On Screen Manitoba; Service Sponsor Line 21 Media Services. National Screen Institute Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council, Rogers. More sponsors will be added as confirmed.

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Wishing you a peaceful and joyful holiday season from everyone at the National Screen Institute.

We look forward to connecting with you again in 2026!

The post Holiday closure: December 19 – January 4 appeared first on National Screen Institute.

If you are in a position to do so, we invite you to make a gift that removes real barriers for storytellers across the country.

As we spend time reflecting, one moment from this year stays with us.

A young creator travelled from the Yukon to Winnipeg for training because the support they needed for travel was available at the right time. Their determination was unmistakable, but without that help, they would have missed out on a career-starting opportunity.

One barrier removed created a new path forward.

Give storytellers the gift of opportunity.

Your participation today – giving a gift – opens doors. Travel assistance, support for access needs and meaningful mentorship create space for storytellers from Indigenous, equity-deserving and underrepresented communities to enter their next chapter with confidence.

Thank you for being part of this community and standing with storytellers across the country.

With gratitude,

Christine Kleckner
Executive Director

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Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF) celebrated its 25th anniversary over the weekend. From July 23-27, the festival screened over 70 films, including several from our alumni. With features, short films and the GIFF Global Industry Summit, a whirlwind of filmmaking magic swept over the Manitoba town.

Festival goers enjoyed beach screenings at dusk and attended industry sessions which included masterclasses, presentations and a coffee talk with the National Screen Institute. The 14th annual RBC $15,000 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition was held on Saturday with the winner receiving a story-editing and directing mentorship from Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill, manager of programs and development at the National Screen Institute.

Join us in celebrating the following alumni whose films screened at the festival:

• Aberdeen – directed, written and executive produced by Eva Thomas (NSI Totally Television), directed, written and produced by Ryan Cooper (CBC New Indigenous Voices, NSI IndigiDocs), executive produced by Kyle Bornais (NSI Features First) and Chris Charney (NSI Features First)
• Endless Cookie – produced by Daniel Bekerman (NSI Features First)
• Inkwo for When the Starving Return – directed, written, produced and executive produced by Amanda Strong; written by Bracken Hanuse Corlett (both NSI IndigiDocs)
• Rumours – produced by Liz Jarvis (NSI Features First)
• The Track – directed, written and produced by Ryan Sidhoo (Telefilm Talent to Watch)

The post Alumni at Gimli International Film Festival 2025 appeared first on National Screen Institute.

The statement was unveiled on Monday, June 9 at the Banff World Media Festival by Joan Jenkinson, CEO of the Black Screen Office; Christa Dickenson, CEO of CPAC; and Mike Omelus, Executive Director of Content and Strategy at APTN.

It reflects 11 shared values – representation, reflection, reconciliation, equity, diversity, access, support, collaboration, sustainability, accountability and showcasing Canadian stories to the world – committing signatories to implement those values in ways that suit their own organizational mandates.

The National Screen Institute has signed on as a founding signatory to the following statement:

We endorse the following statement of values as a reflection of our shared vision and goals for the Canadian screen industries. These values have been adopted at the senior leadership level of our respective organizations and guide our interactions with staff, members, creators, partners and audiences. Each organization will implement these values in a manner appropriate to its structure and mandate.

Values:

1. Representation

We commit to fostering a business and creative environment that offers Canadians access to high-quality Canadian and Indigenous stories across all platforms.

2. Reflection

We believe that all Canadians across the country have the right to see themselves reflected on Canadian screens in both official languages, Indigenous and other languages.

3. Showcase

We recognize our collective responsibility to reflect Canada to Canadians and to share our creative work with the world.

4. Reconciliation

We commit to taking meaningful steps towards reconciliation with Indigenous storytellers and audiences.

5. Diversity

We believe that diverse perspectives, backgrounds and lived experiences (including those of individuals from diverse racial, sexual and gender identities and expressions, as well as those with disabilities) lead to stronger, more engaging and innovative content.

Join us. Sign on.

Show the world what Canada stands for.

6. Access

We commit to identifying and breaking down systemic barriers, including accessibility
barriers, so that Canadians can have opportunities to work and create in the Canadian
screen industries.

7. Support

We commit to supporting the Canadian creative economy as a vital contributor to both social cohesion and economic growth.

8. Collaboration

We commit to supporting opportunities for Canadians to collaborate with global
stakeholders and promote these values internationally, where practical for our organization.

9. Sustainability

We commit to fostering economic growth in the Canadian screen industry while working
toward environmental sustainability.

10. Accountability

We commit to setting clear, measurable goals and timelines for our organization to
implement these values in accordance with the needs and resources of our organization.

11. Equity

We commit to actively dismantling systemic discrimination, including racism, ableism and other forms of oppression, within our organizations and throughout the screen industry.

The signatories agree to work together to foster and support the Values across the Canadian screen industry, identify activities needed to implement the values at each organization and across the sector and to track and measure progress at our organization in implementing the Values.

• Add your organization
• See the list of signatories

The post Canadian Screen Industry Statement of Values appeared first on National Screen Institute.

BANFF World Media Festival is happening now! Running from June 8 – 11, the festival features keynotes, panels, market access and the Rockie Awards. Screen content creators and industry professionals from around the globe join to celebrate the industry, network, take meetings and handle business while enjoying the breathtaking views.

This year’s festival will see many alumni taking part in the Indigenous Screen Summit, Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative, speaking on panels and as Rockie Award nominees.

Join us in celebrating their hard work and achievements. Congratulations!

Indigenous Screen Summit

• Damien Eagle Bear (NSI IndigiDocs)
• Mike Gosselin (NSI Storytellers)
• Darcy Waite (CBC New Indigenous Voices, NSI IndigiDocs)
• Roxann Whitebean (Indigenous Languages and Culture Documentary Project, NSI IndigiDocs)

Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative

Pitch program

• Rosie Johnnie-Mills (TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators)
• Jessica Landry (NSI Series Incubator, Cinematoba)
• Raj Panikkar (NSI Features First, Access BIPOC Producers)
• Kamala Parel-Nuttall (Telefilm Talent to Watch)
• Patricia Scarlett (Access BIPOC Producers)

Professional development participants

• Praneet Akilla (Access BIPOC Producers)
• Jessica Brown (TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators)
• Patricia Chica (Access BIPOC Producers)
• Jim Compton (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program)
• Gursimran Datla (Access BIPOC Producers)
• Teresa M. Ho (Access BIPOC Producers)
• Mitra Knight (Access BIPOC Producers)
• Moniquea Marion (NSI Series Incubator)
• Adrian Neblett (NSI Series Incubator)

BANFF World Media Festival Rockie Awards International Program Competition – nominees

Live Action: Children

• Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock – director and creative producer Jordan Canning (NSI Drama Prize)
• The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy – creator and executive producer / supervising producer Georgina López (NSI Drama Prize, Access BIPOC Producers), director Lora Campbell (NSI Drama Prize)

Live Action: Youth

• Beyond Black Beauty – producer Borga Dorter (NSI Totally Television)

Sports Documentary

• The Death Tour – director Sonya Ballantyne (CBC New Indigenous Voices, NSI IndigiDocs)

Comedy Series: English Language

• Late Bloomer – executive producer Nicole Butler (NSI Lifestyle & Reality Series Producer)

Short Form Fiction Series

• I Will Bury You – writer, director and producer Ravi Steve (NSI Script to Screen)
• My Dead Mom – executive producer Lauren Corber (NSI Totally Television), consulting producer Cynthia Knight (NSI Drama Prize, Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program) / WINNER

BANFF World Media Festival speakers

• Meet a Showrunner or Director – Wendy Hill-Tout (DramaLab)
• Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum #3 Scripted Drama – Kyle Irving (NSI Global Marketing)

The post Alumni at BANFF World Media Festival 2025 appeared first on National Screen Institute.

Celebrating its 25^th anniversary, the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival returns from June 3-8 in Toronto and June 9-15 online. This celebration of Indigenous storytelling showcases entertaining, thought-provoking, beautiful work by Indigenous creators through screenings, exhibitions, special events and more.

This milestone edition of the festival includes 55 Indigenous Nations, 27 Indigenous languages, 16 countries, 77 emerging artists and 26 youth artists.

The festival’s official selections showcase 20 feature films, 11 short film programs, 14 digital and interactive works and 17 audio works.

National Screen Institute executive director Christine Kleckner and manager of programs and development Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill will be at the festival. Sarah will be participating in The Importance of Rest panel on June 7. If you see either of them in Toronto, please say hello!

The National Screen Institute is pleased to be a festival partner of imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival 2025.

Join us in celebrating the work of the talented alumni with projects at the festival:

Features

• Aberdeen – directed, written and produced by Ryan Cooper (CBC New Indigenous Voices, NSI IndigiDocs), directed, written and executive produced by Eva Thomas (NSI Totally Television), executive produced by Kyle Bornais (NSI Features First)
• Endless Cookie – produced by Daniel Bekerman (NSI Features First)
• Lucky Strikes – directed and written by Darcy Waite (CBC New Indigenous Voices, NSI IndigiDocs, NSI Series Incubator, Telefilm Talent to Watch), produced by Madison Thomas (Telefilm Talent to Watch)
• Seeds – executive produced by Eva Thomas (NSI Totally Television)
• #skoden – directed, written and produced by Damien Eagle Bear (NSI IndigiDocs), executive produced by Priyanka Desai (NSI Business for Producers, Access BIPOC Producers)
• Singing Back the Buffalo – directed, written and produced by Tasha Hubbard (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, NSI IndigiDocs) / WINNER, Documentary Feature Award in honour of Alanis Obomsawin with support from TVO

Shorts

• Amber Alert: A Fashion Statement for Truth and Healing – directed by Alex Manitopyes (TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators)
• Anishinaabemowin – produced by Jessie Anthony (NSI Art of Business Management) and Kaitlyn Redcrow (Telefilm Talent to Watch)
• Anywhere (Nooj Goji) – produced by Melanie Nepinak Hadley (CBC New Indigenous Voices)
• Aviliaq (Entwined) – executive produced by Danis Goulet (NSI Drama Prize)
• Bihttoš (Rebel) – executive produced by Danis Goulet (NSI Drama Prize)
• Confluence – directed and written by ODMK (CBC New Indigenous Voices) / WINNER, Innovation in Storytelling Award in honour of Kent Monkman with support from Kent Monkman
• Graduation Day – directed by Tasha Hubbard (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, NSI IndigiDocs)
• Inkwo for When the Starving Return – directed by Amanda Strong (NSI IndigiDocs) / WINNER, Animated Short Award with support from Blue Ant Media, Sun Jury Award with support from the Directors Guild of Canada
• Intemperance – directed, written and produced by Lisa Jackson (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program), executive produced by Danis Goulet (NSI Drama Prize)
• Mawtini (My Homeland) – story consultant Ben Kicknosway (NSI IndigiDocs)
• My Friend Saabe – produced by Laura Friedmann (Access BIPOC Producers)
• Ohskennón:ten Owí:ra (Little Deer) – produced by Jessie Anthony (NSI Art of Business Management)
• pîķîwî – directed, written and produced by Olivia Marie Golosky (NSI IndigiDocs)
• Regalia – directed, written and produced by Farrah Murdock (CBC New Indigenous Voices)
• Roberta – executive produced by Danis Goulet (NSI Drama Prize)
• Savage – directed and written by Lisa Jackson (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program)
• Settler – produced by Colin Van Loon (NSI Art of Business Management)
• Skyworld – directed and written by Zoe Hopkins (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program)
• The Light Before the Sun – consulting producer Jennifer Podemski (NSI Global Marketing, Telefilm Canada Spark Plug Program), associate produced by Eva Thomas (NSI Totally Television)
• Tsi tkahéhtayen (The Garden) – directed, written and produced by Zoe Hopkins (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program), produced by Laura Milliken (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program)

iNdigital Days

• Wilfred Buck’s Star Stories – Lisa Jackson (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program) / WINNER, Digital + Interactive Award with support from imagineNATIVE

Panels

• imagineNATIVE’s Journey – A Leadership Conversation – panelists Danis Goulet and Kerry Swanson (both NSI Drama Prize)
• The Importance of Rest – panelist Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill (manager of programs and development)

The post Celebrating alumni at imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival 2025 appeared first on National Screen Institute.

The televised broadcast, hosted by Canadian performer and comedian Lisa Gilroy, will stream live on Sunday, June 1 at 7 p.m. CT on CBC Gem.

Among this year’s nominees are many familiar faces from the National Screen Institute alumni family. We are sending a big congratulations to all of you!

Film

Best Motion Picture

• The Apprentice – Daniel Bekerman (NSI Features First) / WINNER

Best Feature Length Documentary

• Wilfred Buck – Lisa Jackson (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program)

TV

Best Drama Series

• Allegiance – Erin Haskett (NSI Drama Prize)
• Bones of Crows – Marie Clements (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, Elevate), Trish Dolman (NSI Features First)
• Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent – Erin Haskett (NSI Drama Prize) / WINNER
• Sight Unseen – Virginia Rankin (NSI Global Marketing)

Best Comedy Series, presented by Lionsgate Canada

• Children Ruin Everything – Mark Montefiore (NSI Totally Television), Andrew De Angelis (NSI Totally Television), Alyson Richards (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Features First) / WINNER
• Don’t Even – Nicole Butler (NSI Lifestyle & Reality Series Producer), Zoe Hopkins (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program)
• Late Bloomer – Nicole Butler (NSI Lifestyle & Reality Series Producer),
• One More Time – Jessie Gabe (NSI Script to Screen), Melanie Orr (NSI Diverse TV Director)

Best Lifestyle Program or Series

• Immigrant Kitchen: Lumpia – Orlando Braun (NSI Business for Producers)

Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series

• Women of this Land – Jessica Brown (NSI Business for Producers, TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators)

Best Pre-School Program or Series

• The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy – Georgina Lopez (NSI Drama Prize, Access BIPOC Producers)

Best Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series

• Beyond Black Beauty – Borga Dorter (NSI Totally Television) / WINNER

Best Children’s or Youth Non-Fiction Program or Series

• Indigenous Art Adventures – Lance Cardinal (TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators)
• Sunny’s Quest – Mindy Laxer (NSI Global Marketing)

Best Factual Series

• Little Big Community – Angie Pepper O’Bomsawin (NSI Art of Business Management)

Best Direction, Drama Series, presented by DGC Ontario

• Allegiance – Nimisha Mukerji (NSI Totally Television)
• Bones of Crows – Marie Clements (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, Elevate) / WINNER

Best Direction, Comedy, presented by Cinespace Studios

• Children Ruin Everything – Melanie Orr (NSI Diverse TV Director)
• Don’t Even – Zoe Hopkins (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program)

Best Direction, Documentary Series

• Fluid: Life Beyond the Binary – Michelle Mama (Access BIPOC Producers)
• The Knowing – Courtney Montour (NSI IndigiDocs)
• Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music – Alison Duke (Elevate)

Best Direction, Children’s or Youth

• All-Round Champion – Graeme Lynch (NSI Drama Prize)

Best Writing, TV Movie

• Bootcamp – Gemma Holdway (NSI Features First, NSI Totally Television)
• Obsessed to Death – Jessica Landry (NSI Series Incubator, Cinematoba)
• ‘Twas the Date Before Christmas – Ramona Barckert (NSI Script to Screen)

Best Writing, Drama Series

• Allegiance – Sarah Dodd (NSI Features First)
• Bones of Crows – Marie Clements (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, Elevate)

Best Writing, Comedy

• Children Ruin Everything – Andrew De Angelis (NSI Totally Television)
• One More Time – Jessie Gabe (NSI Script to Screen)

Best Writing, Documentary

• The Knowing – Courtney Montour (NSI IndigiDocs) / WINNER

Best Photography, Drama

• Beyond Black Beauty – Amy Belling, CSC (NSI Features First) / WINNER

Best Ensemble Performance, Comedy

• The Trades – Susan Kent (Telefilm Talent to Watch)

Best Achievement in Casting, Non-Fiction

• The Great Canadian Baking Show – Meredith Veats (NSI Lifestyle & Reality Series Producer)

Digital Media

Best Web Program or Series, Fiction

• My Dead Mom – Lauren Corber (NSI Totally Television)

The post Alumni nominees at the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards appeared first on National Screen Institute.

Yorkton Film Festival runs from May 21 to May 25. With 78 years of history behind it, the festival remains dedicated to the promotion of the best screen-based media content. Today, the film Celebrating 75 Years Together screens at SaskAbilities. Following the opening night feature on Thursday, in-person screenings will run throughout Friday and Saturday with on-demand screenings running from Friday to Sunday.

Among the festival’s board of directors is the National Screen Institute’s senior programs manager, Ursula Lawson. She will be joined at the festival by Danielle Audette, manager of programs and partner support and Grace Bruinooge, operations administrator.

This year’s Golden Sheaf Awards nominees include many alumni and a few current program participants. Please join us in celebrating the following nominees and panelists.

Nominees

• 7TH GEN – “Curtis Howson” – directed and produced by Dinae Robinson (CBC New Indigenous Voices), produced by Lisa Meeches (NSI Storytellers, co-creator of CBC New Indigenous Voices) and Kyle Irving (NSI Global Marketing)
  • Documentary history and biography
• AMI – Our Community – Scope Society – directed and produced by Brent Kawchuk (NSI Drama Prize)
  • Mental health
• Am I the Skinniest Person You’ve Ever Seen? – directed by Eisha Marjara (NSI Features First), produced by Joe Balass (NSI Features First, Access BIPOC Producers)
  • Documentary social / political, Kathleen Shannon Award
• Bodies for Rent – produced by Amar Lohana (Access BIPOC Producers)
  • Documentary social / political, Kathleen Shannon Award
• Boutique – directed by Brishkay Ahmed (Access BIPOC Producers)
  • Short subject – fiction (over 15 minutes)  / WINNER
• Brotherly – directed and produced by Gavin Seal (Access BIPOC Producers), produced by Jen Viens (NSI Business for Producers)
  • Director fiction / WINNER, Multicultural, Short subject – fiction (15 minutes and under)
• Healing Hearts – directed and produced by Amy Belling (NSI Features First)
  • Short subject – non-fiction
• Inkwo for When the Starving Return – directed and produced by Amanda Strong (NSI IndigiDocs)
  • Animation / WINNER, Director fiction, Indigenous / WINNER
• Judith Jacquie Grace – directed by Amy Belling (NSI Features First)
  • Documentary POV (Point of View)
• My Dead Mom –produced by Lauren Corber (NSI Totally Television)
  • Series
• My Son Went Quiet – directed and produced by Ian Bawa (NSI Totally Television, NSI Business for Producers, Telefilm Talent to Watch), produced by Markus Henkel (Telefilm Talent to Watch)
  • Director fiction, Multicultural, Short subject – fiction (15 minutes and under) / WINNER
• OBSCURA – directed and produced by Arnold Lim (NSI Features First)
  • Director fiction, Short subject – fiction (15 minutes and under)
• Rosa’s Flowers – produced by Fonna Seidu (NSI Business for Producers, Access BIPOC Producers, Telefilm Talent to Watch)
  • Experimental
• “SaskTel Business – Eero WiFi” – Allan Roeher (NSI Business for Producers)
  • Best commercial, Best Saskatchewan commercial
• Singing Back the Buffalo – directed and produced by Tasha Hubbard (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, NSI IndigiDocs)
  • Indigenous
• Stories of the North – Season 3 – produced by Kyle Burgess and Allia Janzen (both NSI Business for Producers)
  • Children’s / youth production / WINNER
• Why Am I – Season 6 – produced by Dawn Bird (NSI Business for Producers, Access BIPOC Producers, NSI Series Incubator)
  • Children’s / youth production
• You’re My Hero – directed by Greg Jeffs (NSI Features First), produced by Colette Jeffs (NSI Features First)
  • Series

Panelists

• Danielle Audette, manager of programs and partner support; Grace Bruinooge, operations administrator
  • Industry 1-on-1s
• Melanie Nepinak Hadley (NSI Aboriginal Youth Pilot Project)
  • View from the Top
• Leslea Mair (NSI Global Marketing)
  • The Art of the Re-enactment

The post Alumni at Yorkton Film Festival 2025 appeared first on National Screen Institute.

National Canadian Film Day celebrates our stories and the incredible achievements of filmmakers while connecting our cultures and shared values.

This year, we are excited to share the award-winning short film The Difference Between Us written and directed by Dabi Anele, who collaborated with co-participants from last year’s NSI Intro to Production – Manitoba Edition to bring the film to life.

For today only, The Difference Between Us is available for exclusive viewing above from 12 a.m. CT to 11:59 p.m. CT.

After watching the film, enjoy the Q+A below with Dabi Anele and the National Screen Institute’s communications and outreach manager Abiola Agbayewa, introduced by Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill, manager of programs and development.

Q+A with Dabi Anele

We hope you’ll watch (and rewatch) the film while it’s still available on our website. Include us in your #CanFilmDay celebrations by tagging us (@nsicanada), @canfilmday and @reelcanada on Instagram.

Enjoy this massive, one-day celebration of Canadian cinema!

About The Difference Between Us

Rebecca, a young white woman, learns unexpected news that unsettles the already fragile dynamic with her boyfriend — a relationship built more on expectation than love. Beneath it all lies a long-suppressed longing for Emmanuel, her closest friend, a Black man she’s never dared to love openly.

One impulsive night brings buried feelings to the surface leading to a tense conversation where they confront their fears and what they really want.

The Difference Between Us explores race, desire and the courage to choose your own path over the one prescribed.

About writer/director Dabi Anele

Dabi Anele is an award-winning filmmaker whose incisive storytelling examines the complexities of human connection. His short film The Difference Between Us won Best Student Film at the Black Actors and Film Guild Canada’s Canadian Black Screen Awards 2025, establishing him as a compelling new voice in cinema.

With a multifaceted background spanning acting, screenwriting, directing, advisory and production, Dabi’s work is informed by his training at the National Screen Institute and experience across Canadian television. His filmmaking combines technical precision with emotional resonance, creating narratives that challenge audiences while remaining grounded.

Instagram: @itsdabii_

• • •

NSI Intro to Production – Manitoba Edition offered hands-on training to refugees and newcomers to Manitoba who arrived in Canada within the last five years and were interested in working in film and television. The program began with online workshops focused on scriptwriting, followed by a six-day, in-person workshop where participants collaborated on a short film written by one of their peers.

2024 NSI Intro to Production participants:

• Roula Al-Kayal
• Dabi Anele
• Alireza Bayat
• Katnancy Cumti
• Heady Fortuna
• Vira Mylyan-Monastyrska
• Elijah Oyibu
• Hossam Presly
• Sukhmanpreet Singh
• Kateryna Starikova

All participants resided in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the time of training.

• • •

NSI Intro to Production – Manitoba Edition was funded by Program Partner Manitoba Arts, Culture and Sport in Community Fund, Strategic Sponsors Telefilm Canada and Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada, Provincial Sponsor Manitoba Film and Music, Industry Supporters Reel Canada and On Screen Manitoba. Core Funders: Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

The post Happy National Canadian Film Day 2025! appeared first on National Screen Institute.

This edition supports the creation of 20- to 45-minute locally reflective documentaries, scripted films or series pilots. In addition to funding, each selected project will receive National Screen Institute-facilitated mentorship from industry experts and will be distributed on TELUS Optik TV and the STORYHIVE YouTube channel.

Celebrating Pan-Asian voices

The Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition celebrates the breadth and depth of narratives from Pan-Asian creatives in Canada, aiming to showcase the unique and diverse experiences of Asian communities. The program is open to new and emerging filmmakers in British Columbia and Alberta who are of Asian descent from any region of continental Asia.

Whether you’re telling stories rooted in heritage, identity, community or personal experience, TELUS STORYHIVE is looking to amplify voices that reflect the richness of Pan-Asian perspectives.

Applications are open until May 15, 2025.

For more information and to apply, visit https://www.storyhive.com/programs/editions/edition-pan-asian-storyteller

The post STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Storyteller Edition now open for applications appeared first on National Screen Institute.

In this Q+A webinar, program manager Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill provides an overview of CBC New Indigenous Voices, alum Matthew Shoup shares his experiences as a participant and then Sarah answers audience questions. This Q+A webinar was recorded on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Sarah’s contact information is below.

CBC New Indigenous Voices offers 14-weeks of full-time, immersive training for Indigenous creators aged 18 and over to learn from industry experts and gain hands-on experience in the essential elements of film and television.

Applications close on Thursday, March 27 at 12 p.m. CT. Apply now!

There is no fee to apply.

Topics discussed in the Q+A webinar include the internship process, what the selection committee looks for in applications and accommodation and travel assistance for participants outside Manitoba. Additionally, Sarah talks about industry mentorship and networking opportunities.

Training begins in May 2025 with two weeks of online sessions followed by six weeks of in-person workshops and short film production on Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This multi-phase format offers comprehensive skills development, short film production experience and an internship placement.

If you have further questions, please contact program manager Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill, sarahs [dot] yellowquill [at] nsi-canada [dot] ca.

• • •

CBC New Indigenous Voices 2025 is funded by Title, Presenting and Tuition Sponsor CBC; Program Partners Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, Neeginan Education, Training and Employment Services, Inc. (NETES), Telefilm Canada; Provincial Sponsor Manitoba Film & Music; National Screen Institute Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council. More sponsors will be added as confirmed.

The post Watch: CBC New Indigenous Voices 2025 Q+A webinar appeared first on National Screen Institute.