Local Filmmakers Receive Funding for First Feature

Two Nova Scotian filmmakers are closer to making their first feature film.

Announced at the 2012 Atlantic Film Festival Awards reception on Thursday, Sept. 20, local producer Rebecca Sharratt and writer/director Greg Jackson have been selected as the recipients of the First Feature Project, a collaboration between Film Nova Scotia and Telefilm Canada.

In its second round, the project provides funding to a producer-director-writer team to produce their first feature film. Ms. Sharratt and Mr. Jackson will receive $115,000 in production financing from the Canada Feature Film Fund and Film Nova Scotia to produce their feature film Bunker 6.

"I am thrilled we will get to make this dramatic film next year," said Ms. Sharratt. "Greg Jackson is a uniquely talented writer and director and I'm very excited to see his vision come to life on screen. I am extremely fortunate to have the experienced support of Bill Niven as our executive director and with the added experience and creativity of our line producer Jessica Brown, I feel we have an amazing team to tackle all of the challenges of producing a feature film."

Bunker 6 follows the story of 21-year-old Grace, who has lived in nuclear Bunker #6 since she was 9. After the death of Lewis, her mentor, father figure and the bunker's technician, Grace is left to take charge of the mechanics. As things begin to breakdown all around her, and thoughts of the outside world haunt her, she must continue her struggle not just to survive, but to live.

To enhance the project from last year, Film Nova Scotia and Telefilm Canada have each contributed an additional $5,000 to increase program funding. Also new this year, finalists were required to pitch their projects, providing Film Nova Scotia and Telefilm Canada with the opportunity to meet the teams and ask specific questions.

"We were pleased with the quality of submissions we received for the project this year," said Linda Wood, director, business and legal affairs at Film Nova Scotia. "By supporting emerging producers at this level, we are strengthening the industry by fostering and growing talent in the province."

"It is a pleasure to partner with Film Nova Scotia again this year to present this joint initiative," said Gord Whittaker, regional director at Telefilm Canada. "This year's team presented a very strong package and a confident, compelling creative vision and we look forward to helping them produce a strong first feature film."

Film Nova Scotia is a provincial Crown corporation reporting to the Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. The corporation provides a wide range of programs and services to support the province's audio-visual industry. Nova Scotia is among the largest production centres in Canada.