NSI National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest 2007 call for entries

Set your sights on becoming the next Guy Maddin, Sarah Polley or Paul Haggis

For budding filmmakers who dream of breaking into the world of film, Canada 's coolest non-professional movie contest run by the National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) is the perfect place to start. The NSI National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest 2007 challenges non-professional filmmakers to write, direct and even act in their own five-minute masterpiece which could premiere at the NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival and earn filmmakers over $1,000 in prize money.

All genres are eligible - drama, comedy, animation, romance, slapstick, science fiction, western or even horror - the sky's the limit. Contest organisers are looking for a complete story in five minutes or less. There is no age restriction or entry fee. Filmmakers are invited to get together with friends, neighbours or co-workers and create their short film.

Entry deadline: Monday, January 22, 2007 at 4:30 pm Central Time. Entries will be accepted on DVD only.

Rules* and entry form available at: www.nsi-canada.ca

An industry jury will choose the 12 best films and decide which budding filmmakers deserve one or more of the seven prestigious award titles** such as Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Actor - each worth $100. There is a special $500 jury award for Best Overall Film and a grand prize of $1,000 for the winner of the NSI FilmExchange Audience Choice Award, voted for by the general public.

The 12 finalists' films will be available to watch online and film fans are invited to vote for their favourite to help determine the winner of the NSI FilmExchange Audience Choice Award. Online voting will open one week prior to the screening at NSI FilmExchange (Friday, February 24, 2007). Details will be posted at www.nsi-canada.ca in February 2007. The winner of the $1,000 NSI FilmExchange Audience Choice Award will be calculated by combining the online votes and live audience votes cast during the screening event at NSI FilmExchange on Mar. 3, 2007 where all 12 films will receive their world premiere.

The National Screen Institute – Canada, with headquarters in Winnipeg, is Canada’s oldest nationally-recognized film and television training school. NSI 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 NSI graduates by giving them a competitive edge — according to the latest NSI Alumni Survey, 97% of respondents are working in the industry. 2006 marks NSI's 20th anniversary year.

*The contest is open to all residents of Canada except residents of Québec, employees (and those persons with whom they are domiciled) of National Screen Institute - Canada, Doowah Design and of the corporations, the contest jury, contest sponsors and the advertising and promotional agencies involved in the contest.

**The $100 jury awards are:

1) Best Actor
2) Best Director
3) Best Film from Eastern Canada
4) Best Film from Manitoba
5) Best Film from Western Canada
6) Best Film Under 18
7) Best Screenplay

Western Canada includes British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and Eastern Canada includes Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

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, CBC Television and The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation and financial assistance provided by the Winnipeg Arts Council.