Deed News

Whistler, B.C. (October 20, 2022) – Whistler Film Festival (WFF) has announced  the participants selected for three of its signature talent programs: the Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship, Doc Lab and Power Pitch.

17 artists are announced as participants in WFF’s Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship, Doc Lab, and Power Pitch initiatives.

These are part of 10 talent programs WFF is offering this year to provide creative and business immersion experiences for over 54 Canadian artists including directors, producers, screenwriters, and actors to advance their craft.

“WFF continues to create innovative programs that respond to the always-evolving industry,” says Shelly Quade, WFF’s Talent Labs Manager. “For 2022, I believe we have accomplished this goal with initiatives that include in-person and online delivery and mentorship, longer-term engagement and increased access to an extended list of industry experts. We are also proud to welcome back WFF alumni as a part of our talent programs, which highlights the full-circle experience from participant to mentor.”

Now in its 10th year, the highly competitive Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship saw an unprecedented number of high-quality submissions this year. Six filmmakers have been selected to participate in the program, which focuses on strengthening and advancing short-form scripted projects:

• Denise Halfyard (BC) – SO’WESILEL
• Katarina Ziervogel (MB) – VISITATION
• Linda St. Pierre (BC) – THE PHOENIX
• Mitchell Saddleback (BC) – KIDS FROM THE REZ
• Simeonie Kisa-Knickelbein (NU) – VHF
• Tai Grauman (AB) – LOU GAROU

The Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship is supported by Creative BC, RBC, William F. White International, APTN, IATSE 891, Brightlight Pictures, and Eagle Vision. It is led by facilitator Camille Beaudoin, co-founder and CEO of Mosaic Entertainment, and Barbara Hager, director, writer, and president of Acimow Media Ltd.

Doc Lab, which is supported by Creative BC and Big Time Decent Productions, is an intensive multi-day online immersion, followed by a five-month mentorship program for Canadian documentary filmmakers with projects in development. Six Canadian documentary filmmakers have been chosen to participate:

• Alixandra Buck (BC) – LOBSTER QUEENS
• Bal Brach (BC) – LOST BOYS
• Jon Chiang (BC) – WILD HEART
• Laura Friedman (ON) – THE PAINTING
• Nessie Blanes (BC) – DEMOLISHED
• Tammy Jones (BC) – 807

Doc Lab is facilitated by Lynn Booth, executive producer of Make Believe Media, and mentored by Canadian documentary filmmaker Selwyn Jacob and award-winning writer, director and producer of The Border, Ying Wang.

WFF has also selected five Canadian producers to participate in the Power Pitch. Designed to set talent up for success by fine-tuning their project packages and pitching skills, the program includes a workshop and one-on-one consultations with facilitator Kevin Wright, former Senior Vice President of Programming for The Movie Network, HBO Canada and the Family Channel, and principal at The Optimal Pitch. . The program culminates in a pitch competition where one producer walks away with a production prize valued at $36,000. The prize includes a $25K post-production credit from Company 3 Method Ltd., $10K lighting and grip credit, $1K cash prize from William F. White and a coveted spot in the WFF’s 2023 Producers Lab. The five producers participating in the Power Pitch are:

• Brendan Prost (BC) – STIFLE
• Jen Walden (NT) – MOTHER
• Jonathan Chuby (BC) – DUCK RACE
• Kate Kroll (BC) – WHAT COMES NEXT
• Sina Sultani (BC) – TRACE

Alongside Wright, the Power Pitch jury includes Stefania Scarfo, Head of Content and Strategy at Paramount+ Canada, and Gosia Kamela, Head of CBC Films and CBC Scripted Content, English Services. Power Pitch is supported by Creative BC, Company 3 Method Ltd. and William F. White International Inc.

Nurturing and championing Canadian talent has always been at the heart of WFF. The festival’s talent programs have become a cornerstone for independent Canadian storytellers seeking to expand their knowledge and make the essential connections required to advance their projects and careers. Program participants receive year-round support, as well as access to WFF in the year of their program and its alumni community, which is almost 3,000 members strong.

Discover more about Whistler Film Festival + Content Summit at whistlerfilmfestival.com.

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