Up to 10 people from Northern Manitoba will get the chance to learn the basics of filmmaking during the National Screen Institute’s (NSI) New Northern Voices training program in The Pas Sept. 23-Oct. 18.
Delivered in partnership with University College of the North (UCN), whose campus in The Pas will be the site of the program, New Northern Voices is the direct result of a feasibility study and framework for northern training conducted by the NSI and supported by Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage, the Winnipeg Foundation and Manitoba Film & Music. The purpose is to develop content creators to write, direct and produce stories from a Northern Manitoba perspective.
Participants will spend four weeks being introduced to media-based storytelling and produce a short film based on stories developed during the course. Faculty members will include Jordan Wheeler, Shane Belcourt, Erica Daniels, Kim Wheeler and Charlene Moore.
“The National Screen Institute is excited to partner with University College of the North to empower the region’s storytellers to share their stories,” said NSI acting executive director Joy Loewen in a press release. “Based on valuable community and feasibility research we’ve conducted in Northern Manitoba, the National Screen Institute is proud to extend our market-relevant training to The Pas and surrounding underserved communities.”
Applications for the program, open to Northern Manitoba residents aged 18 and up, closeat 5 p.m. Aug. 29. Participants will be selected based on their suitability and commitment to fully participate in the course.
“University College of the North is devoted to the community and northern development,” said UCN president Doug Lauvstad. “We are pleased to work with the National Screen Institute to develop creative skills in our region. There is a strong commitment from both organizations to grow the screen industry in Northern Manitoba both economically and creatively.”
