Partnering to Support Emerging Producers
Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia and Telefilm Canada are working together once again to support emerging filmmakers with the First Feature Project.
"We continue to invest in the careers of emerging filmmakers in Nova Scotia because we believe that they are important to continued success in the creative industries," said Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris. "Ensuring that we nurture the careers of the next generation of industry leaders allows us to create good jobs and foster opportunities for Nova Scotians."
The project, which provides funding to support a producer-director-writer team to produce their first feature film, was first established in 2011 and has funded two feature films so far, Roaming and Bunker 6.
"Throughout the past two years, we have worked closely with the successful filmmakers to ensure we are delivering a program that fulfills the needs of the industry," said Linda Wood, director, business and legal affairs at Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia. "We look forward to receiving more creative proposals from our local filmmakers and working with the selected team on producing their first feature."
The selected team will receive $120,000 in program funding from the Canada Feature Film Fund and Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia. To qualify, the producer applicant must have produced at least two professional short films, one of which has been screened at a major Canadian or international film festival.
"Telefilm Canada is happy to continue our partnership with Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia," said Gord Whittaker, regional director at Telefilm Canada. "This innovative collaboration has delivered strong results over the last two years and has established itself as an important program for Nova Scotia's creative talent and our vibrant industry."
In 2012, local producer Rebecca Sharratt and writer-director Greg Jackson were the recipients of the project. Their feature Bunker 6 was shot at the Diefenbunker in Debert in February 2012. The film follows the story of 21-year-old Grace, who has lived in nuclear Bunker 6 since she was nine.
"The First Feature Project was a great learning experience," said Ms. Sharratt. "I have gained an in-depth understanding of the process involved in shooting a feature length film within the constraints of a micro-budget. I am excited by the creative choices that the team took and what we were able to accomplish with Bunker 6."
Project guidelines can be found at < href="http://film.ns.ca/content/first_feature_project">http://film.ns.ca/content/first_feature_project</a>. The deadline to apply is June 24.
Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia is the lead development agency for the creative industries in the province. Providing a variety of loan and investment programs and services, the agency works to support the growth and development of Nova Scotia's creative enterprises.