Bridge Award Recognizes Emerging Talent

N.S. FILM DEVELOPMENT CORP.--Bridge Award Recognizes Emerging Talent

The camera lights are getting brighter for Nova Scotia filmmakers Tarek Abouamin and Brad Horvath.

Mr. Abouamin and Mr. Horvath are the 2005 winners of the CBC/Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation Bridge Award. As winners, they each receive an investment of $20,000 from the film development corporation, along with a $10,000 licence fee and $10,000 worth of production services from the CBC. The total value of the award is $40,000 per person.

Bridge award winners also receive an opportunity to air a 30-60 minute production on CBC.

"Congratulations to these deserving winners," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Economic Development. "And congratulations to CBC-TV and the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation for investing in the future of Nova Scotia's already vibrant film and television industry."

"This award truly is a bridge for emerging filmmakers," said Ann MacKenzie, chief executive officer of the film development corporation. "It provides an invaluable opportunity for up-and- coming talent to advance their careers by producing a program that will be broadcast throughout the region. Since the award program began in 2003, we have been impressed with the creative abilities of the applicants and are confident that Tarek's and Brad's productions will be successful."

Mr. Abouamin will produce The Motorcycle -- a half-hour drama that tells the story of Joseph, a young boy who is haunted by the memories of his dead sister while he is lost in the woods. The Motorcycle was written and will be directed by Marc Almon.

One Hit Wonder -- which will be produced by Mr. Horvath -- is a half-hour drama about a disillusioned song stylist, Remy Royale, who realizes there are more important things in life than a hit song. This production was written and will be directed by Chaz Thorne.

Mr. Abouamin and Mr. Horvath will produce the dramas under the mentorship of two prominent local filmmakers. Thom Fitzgerald will mentor Mr. Abouamin and Camelia Frieberg will mentor Mr. Horvath. Both programs will air throughout the Atlantic region on CBC-TV.

"CBC Television is delighted with the calibre of the winning proposals," said Ron Crocker, regional director of television in the Maritimes, and senior director of programming for CBC-TV Atlantic. "Past recipients of the award have won accolades for their work. We fully expect that these projects will be just as accomplished and look forward to working with the filmmakers on them."

A jury of industry representatives reviews applications for the Bridge Award. This year's jury included producers Paul Kimball of Redstar Films and Janice Evans of Creative Atlantic; Ron Crocker and Mary Elizabeth Luka of the CBC; and Ann MacKenzie and Linda Wood of the film development corporation.

For more information on the Bridge Award, please visit the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation website at www.film.ns.ca/programs_bridgeaward.asp .