Film Nova Scotia and Telefilm Canada Renew Partnership

After the success of its inaugural year, Film Nova Scotia and Telefilm Canada are partnering again to deliver the First Feature Project, a pilot program for emerging talent.

The First Feature Project provides financing to a producer for their first feature film. To qualify, applicants must have produced at least two professional short films, one of which has been screened at a major Canadian or international film festival.

"Advancing the careers of emerging filmmakers in Nova Scotia is a key priority for us," said Linda Wood, director of business and legal affairs at Film Nova Scotia, today, April 30. "There is a lot of talent in Nova Scotia and this project ensures that we support and grow the careers of local filmmakers."

Local producer Richard MacQueen and writer/director Michael Ray Fox shot their first feature film in February after being selected for the inaugural year of the project. The team's feature film, Roaming, follows the story of William Borchert, a reclusive young man with high functioning autism, who finds a life after reuniting with an old high school friend.

"Receiving funding through the First Feature Project was critical in getting this movie made," said Mr. MacQueen. "Making the leap into feature-length production is difficult and we couldn't have done it without the financial support and guidance from Film Nova Scotia and Telefilm Canada."

The team received $110,000 in program funding from the Canada Feature Film Fund and Film Nova Scotia. Project applications were evaluated by an industry jury.

As part of the project, the emerging filmmakers were required to work with mentors to provide advice and guidance throughout the production. The Roaming team recruited experienced Nova Scotian filmmakers Michael Melski and Craig Cameron as the executive producer and line producer, respectively.

"This collaboration between Telefilm and Film Nova Scotia fills a need in Nova Scotia's film industry," said Gord Whittaker, regional director a Telefilm Canada. "We are happy to continue this important partnership and support emerging filmmakers."

This year, Film Nova Scotia and Telefilm Canada have each contributed an additional $5,000 to increase the program funding amount to $120,000. Also new this year, applicants and their creative teams will be required to pitch their projects to Telefilm Canada and Film Nova Scotia, providing an opportunity for decision-makers to meet the team and ask specific project questions.

Project guidelines can be found at www.film.ns.ca/content/first_feature_project . The deadline to apply is June 25.

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 audiovisual industry. Nova Scotia is among the largest production centres in Canada.