The National Screen Institute has announced the new 2008-09 NSI Drama Prize teams and celebrate the world premiere screening of the current 2007-08 program graduates’ short films.

NSI Drama Prize is a professional training program which culminates in the production of a short film. Teams receive one year of training, $10,000 cash, over $30,000 in services, customized training in writing, directing, producing and access to professional contacts and mentors. Following their week-long intensive training sessions in Winnipeg this week, the new teams return home to produce their films which are scheduled for their world premiere in 2009.

“There were dozens of very strong applications from across the country for our jury to review,” said Joy Loewen, NSI Drama Prize program manager. “It was a difficult decision, but we are confident the four teams selected will produce the high-calibre films our program is noted for and find audiences around the world as their predecessors have.”

The following teams were chosen for the new 2008-09 NSI Drama Prize program.

Countdown (St. John’s, Newfoundland)
Producer: Laura Churchill
Writer/director: Jordan Canning

The Curiosity of Penny Parker (Toronto, Ontario)
Producer: Paul Lachowich
Writer/director: Ryan Hanson

In Between (Toronto, Ontario)
Producer: Brigitte Boucher
Writer/director: Nadine Valcin

Til Death Do Us Part (Toronto, Ontario)
Producer: Sandra Picheca
Writer: Bob Mackowycz
Director: Sarah Lazarovic
NSI Drama Prize graduate world premieres | Friday Feb.29, 7 p.m. |Globe Cinema, Winnipeg | FREE ADMISSION!
The current NSI Drama Prize graduates from 2007-08 celebrate their world premieres this Friday, Feb. 29 at a special free screening at the Globe Cinema, Portage Place, Winnipeg. The following films will be shown:

The Auburn Hills Breakdown (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Producer: Katie Weekley
Writer/director: Geoff Redknap
Award sponsor: Telefilm Canada
Mentor: Gary Harvey

Dinx (Edmonton, Alberta)
Producer: William Minsky
Writer/director: Trevor Anderson
Award sponsor: The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation
Mentor: Josh Miller

Marjorie (Toronto, Ontario)
Producer: Alyson M. Richards
Writer/director: Pat Mills
Award sponsor: Rogers Group of Funds
Mentor: Paul Barkin

Night Travellers (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Producer: Michael Linton
Writer/director: Shelagh Carter
Award sponsor: NSI Alumni Fund
Mentor: Phyllis Laing

Tigers at the Gate (Calgary, Alberta)
Producer: Patrick McLaughlin
Writer/director: Nina Sudra
Award sponsor: Alliance Atlantis
Mentor: George Baptist

Visit www.nsi-canada.ca for film synopses.

NSI Drama Prize 2007-08
NSI Drama Prize 2007-08 is presented nationally by CBC Television and Telefilm Canada, with additional funding generously provided by Program Partner, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our Provincial Sponsors British Columbia Film and MANITOBA FILM & SOUND, and our Award Sponsors Rogers Group of Funds, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, Alliance Atlantis, Telefilm Canada and the NSI Alumni Fund. Additional acknowledgement is proudly provided for the contributions of our Service Sponsors Deluxe, Kodak Canada Inc. and PS Production Services Ltd., our Risk Management Consultants Multimedia Risk Inc., as well as William F. White International Inc.
NSI Drama Prize 2008-09
NSI Drama Prize 2008-09 is made possible through the financial support of presenting sponsor Telefilm Canada, with additional funding generously provided by Program Partners Canwest and The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation. We also gratefully acknowledge our growing list of award sponsors: Rogers Group of Funds, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation and Telefilm Canada. Additional acknowledgement is proudly provided for the contributions of our Service Sponsors Deluxe, Kodak Canada Inc. and PS Production Services Ltd., our Risk Management Consultants Multimedia Risk Inc., as well as William F. White International Inc.
The National Screen Institute - Canada, with headquarters in Winnipeg, is Canada's oldest nationally-recognized film and television training school. The National Screen Institute helps emerging writers, directors and producers bring their stories to life to share at home and abroad. Its market-driven programs have led to employment for National Screen Institute graduates by giving them a competitive edge - according to the latest National Screen Institute Alumni Survey, 97% of respondents are working in the industry.