Call for Submissions: 2011 NSI Drama Prize

The National Screen Institute has put out its call for submissions for this year's NSI Drama Prize. The NSI Drama Prize is a training program that takes place at the NSI in Winnipeg and participants' home province which provides filmmakers the foundation to successfully make a short film of up to 10 minutes.

The Drama Prize is for filmmaking teams of two or three people with a short film fiction project.  The teams should consist of writer, director and producer but the writer may double as the director or producer. The director and producer, however, may not be the same person. 

New this year is a tuition fee for participants of $1,000 per team. Each team will be required to pay this amount by January 23. In spite of this added cost, it is nonetheless an invaluable program for emerging Canadian filmmakers.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 4:30 PM CT, when the application must be received in their office.

The deadline for the NSI's Features First program is upcoming on Wednesday October 12, 2011.

http://www.nsi-canada.ca/

---

About NSI Drama Prize

Program description

NSI Drama Prize is an ambitious training program. It provides emerging filmmakers with a year of professional support and training in the various stages of filmmaking while they develop and produce a short film (up to 10 minutes). Up to four teams of aspiring Canadian filmmakers will be selected to receive customized training delivered by industry experts in writing, directing and producing.

Next call for applications

We are accepting applications until Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 4:30 PM CT.

How do I apply?

• Read this whole page before you do anything else.
• Print out the application form.
• Address your package to: NSI Drama Prize, 400-141 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 0R3
• Your application must reach the NSI office before Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 4:30 PM CT.

How much does it cost?

• $100 application fee per team.
• NSI is introducing tuition into its training programs: if your team is selected to the NSI Drama Prize program, each team member is required to pay $1,000 by Monday, January 23, 2011, 4:30 p.m. CT.

Keep up to date with NSI Drama Prize news

Keep up to date with NSI Drama Prize news by signing up for the weekly NSI newsletter or by subscribing to our email updates.

What is NSI Drama Prize?

• Market-driven film training program for emerging Canadian filmmakers. Up to four teams are selected each year.
• Three phase program: (1) training; (2) assignment; and (3) production.
• Writer, director and producer training sessions. Teams access professional industry contacts.
• Assessed assignment is completed after training.
• Successful teams receive $10,000 in cash and up to $30,000 in services to produce a quality short film (under 10 minutes) under the guidance and mentorship of senior industry professionals (after assignment evaluation).
• Not all teams will necessarily make their film.

NSI Drama Prize is not full-time. You can keep your day-job while training and don't have to move away from home – short-term intensive training happens in Winnipeg and you return home to work with a mentor for the rest of the program.
All training is delivered by senior industry experts.

Who are the NSI Drama Prize staff?

Melissa Kajpust.

Who are the NSI Drama Prize program experts?

Experts from the Canadian film industry generously share their experiences and knowledge with NSI Drama Prize participants.

What are the objectives of NSI Drama Prize?

1. To provide successful applicants with training opportunities that will enhance their knowledge base and skill sets they will need to make their short film.
2. To work closely with filmmakers to help them from pre-production and production through to completion of their films and to prepare them to launch their films in the marketplace.

Success stories

The achievements of our talented alumni are listed in our NSI Drama Prize alumni section.

Recent productions

Watch the NSI Drama Prize short film Gravity Boy about a boy obsessed with comics who believes nothing is impossible, even the control of gravity. Created by writer/director Scott Burton and producer Calum MacLeod in 2005.