Amateur filmmakers win national awards at NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival

Winnipeg - Amateur filmmakers from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Nova Scotia picked up national awards on Saturday night during the final of the NSI National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest hosted by actor Jonas Chernick (Lucid, Seven Times Lucky, Inertia). The contest was presented by Movieola - The Short Film Channel at NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival in Winnipeg.

During a lively Oscars® style-ceremony, Jonas presented eight jury awards and two peoples' choice awards to beginning filmmakers.

NSI FilmExchange People's Choice Award winner
Transition by writer/director/producer John Wilson, Winnipeg, MB

Movieola - The Short Film Channel Viewers' Choice Award winner
My Name Is by writer/director/producer Megan Wennberg & co-writers Jamie Blanchard and Chuck Teed, Halifax, NS

Over 10,000 online votes were registered for The Movieola - The Short Channel Viewers' Choice Award.

JURY AWARDS

Best Overall Film ($500)
Shark Hunting by writer/director/producer Jimmy Bustos & assistant director, Richard Hardy, Edmonton, AB

$100 jury awards

Best Film from Eastern Canada
My Name Is by writer/director/producer Megan Wennberg & co-writers Jamie Blanchard and Chuck Teed, Halifax, NS

Best Film from Western Canada
The Violent Comedy by writer/director/producer Kelvin Redvers, Hay River, NT

Best Film from Manitoba
Transition by writer/director/producer John Wilson, Winnipeg, MB

Best Film Under 18
Million Way Exchange by writer/director/producer Biron Guthy-Kerr &
co-writer Jesse Dahlberg, Golden, BC

Best Actor
Anthony Ingram for his portrayal of Tommy Pickton in Nosepickers Anonymous by director Cory Kinney & writer Danny Mendlow, Vancouver, BC

Best Director
Kelvin Redvers for The Violent Comedy, Hay River, NT

Best Screenplay
Nosepickers Anonymous by director Cory Kinney & writer Danny Mendlow, Vancouver, BC

"The talent showcased in this contest gets more impressive each year," said Liz Hover, NSI National Exposure Coordinator. "Don't let the term "amateur" fool you. The production values and story concepts of our 12 finalists' films were incredible. These talented filmmakers have a bright future ahead of them."

"Movieola is delighted to celebrate and promote the art of short film with NSI on a national basis for the first time," said Romen Podzyhun, President and CEO of Channel Zero Inc. "We thank all the filmmakers for their stories.... stories that inspired, entertained and challenge us to see the world in a different way."

The National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) ran the contest in partnership with Movieola - The Short Film Channel.

Films from the National Exposure finalists were shown on Movieola during the last week of February. Television viewers were asked to vote online for their favourite. Audience members attending the National Exposure final were also asked to vote for their favourite film.

70 submissions were received from filmmakers across Canada.

NSI would like to thank Zip.ca - Canada's largest online video service - for donating 12 gift memberships to the finalists' prize package. Visit www.zip.ca.

NSI would also like to acknowledge Jungle Software for donating two copies of their Gorilla production software to the two $1,000 prize winners. The software is especially designed for independent filmmakers. It handles budgeting, scheduling, cast, crew, locations, accounting, editing notes and film festival submissions. For more information visit: www.junglesoftware.com

The National Screen Institute - Canada, with headquarters in Winnipeg, is one of Canada's nationally recognized film and television training schools. NSI helps emerging writers, directors and producers bring their stories to life and to audiences at home and abroad. Its market-driven programs have led to employment for NSI graduates by giving them a competitive edge - according to the 2005 NSI Graduate Survey, 97% of respondents are working in the industry. 2006 marks the National Screen Institute's 20th anniversary year. Visit www.nsi-canada.ca for more information about NSI.

Movieola - The Short Film Channel launched in 2001, and was the first of six digital services to be offered by Channel Zero Inc. Movieola - The Short Film Channel presents the very best of action, comedy and drama films that can all be enjoyed in under 40 minutes. It's A Feature Film Experience in A Fraction of the Time™.

The contest was open to all residents of Canada except residents of Quebec, employees (and those persons with whom they are domiciled) of National Screen Institute - Canada, Doowah Design, Movieola - The Short Film Channel and of the corporations, the contest jury, and the advertising and promotional agencies involved in the contest.

The National Screen Institute - Canada operates with ongoing funding from Telefilm Canada through Canadian Heritage, and Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism. Additional support provided by Patrons: CTV and CBC Television and The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, Partner: Warner Bros. Entertainment Canada Inc., and financial assistance provided by the Winnipeg Arts Council.

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