NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival in Winnipeg March 2 – 5, 2005.

“We are very excited to confirm the Festival’s films,” said Director of Programming Liz Janzen. “Each of the directors has brought a unique story to the big screen – our audiences will be challenged, moved and entertained.”

Director Noam Gonick’s latest film Stryker is the compelling story of an intense turf war between two street gangs in Winnipeg’s North End. Shot in Winnipeg last winter, Stryker will have its North American premiere as the closing film of NSI FilmExchange.

Director Mike Dowse's comedy It's All Gone Pete Tong is a fictionalized biopic about the life of Frankie Wilde, a legendary over-the-top, out-of-control DJ who must deal with becoming deaf. The film was named to Canada's Top Ten 2004 list by the Toronto International Film Festival Group.

Director Carol Laure’s latest film CQ2 (Seek You Two) begins when Jeanne, a woman just released from prison, meets troubled young dancer Rachel. As their relationship blooms, Jeanne, a dancer herself, encourages the teen to use her art as an outlet to express herself. The film won the Grand Rail d’ Or award at the 2004 Cannes International Film Festival.

Sabah, written and directed by Ruba Nadda, is the light-hearted dramatic story of a 40 year-old woman who unexpectedly falls in the love with the wrong man – she’s Muslim, he’s not. She keeps their romance secret until forced to choose between family and her new independence.

The Best of Secter & The Rest of Secter is a world premiere documentary about ground-breaking Canadian indie-filmmaker, David Secter – a man who lived what he filmed and filmed what he lived. It was made by David's nephew, first-time director Joel Secter and includes interviews with David Cronenberg, Michael Ondaatje, composer Philip Glass and others.

Show Me is the first feature from award-winning shorts director Cassandra Nicolaou. When two squeegee kids kidnap a woman in a luxury sedan, their ensuing trip to her cabin takes the trio in directions none of them could have predicted.

This year’s Canadian Classic film will be Denys Arcand’s award-winning The Decline of the American Empire. When four men and four women gather together for dinner and conversations about fantasies, indiscretions, acrobatics and more – no topic is off limits!

The provocative, edgy and entertaining Showcase of Canadian Shorts returns with some of Canada’s best works, including three that will screen at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival: Stronger by Director Debra Felstead, Ryan, by Director Chris Landreth and À travers mes grosses lunettes (Through My Thick Glasses) by Director Pjtor Sapegin. Guy Maddin’s short film Sissy Boy Slap Party is also part of the line-up.

The industry centre events will once again include master classes, panels, workshops and forums covering a wide range of topics in film and television, from writing and directing, to the video game industry and HDTV.

“NSI FilmExchange has gained a reputation for being an intimate festival, where emerging writers, directors and producers and the industry’s leaders can all meet informally and share ideas,” said Janzen. “The films, special guests and panel topics are sure to provide opportunities to connect in Winnipeg this March.”

Delegate passes and film tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster. Visit www.nsi-canada.ca/filmexchange for festival details, film line-up and ticket information. Watch for more details as special guests and events are confirmed.

SnowScreen
SnowScreen, an outdoor movie screen carved entirely of snow by sculptors from Le Festival du Voyageur, returns as the opening night event of NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival. This year’s line-up will feature some of the year’s best animated short films from the National Film Board of Canada, and a special selection of short films from the Winnipeg Film Group. Unique and fun for the whole family, this free screening takes place at The Forks on March 2 at 7:00 p.m.

NSI National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest
The submissions are in, the jury is getting ready to deliberate, and soon NSI will announce the 12 finalists for the NSI National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest*. Jury prizes will be awarded for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Film Under 18, Best Film from Manitoba, Best Film From Eastern Canada and Best Film from Western Canada. During a special screening event at the Festival on March 5, audience members will select a grand prize
($1,000) and second prize ($500) People’s Choice Award.

The National Screen Institute - Canada, with headquarters in Winnipeg, is one of Canada’s four nationally recognized film and television training schools. Every March in Winnipeg, NSI presents NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival, the largest established film festival showcasing 100% Canadian short and feature films.

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: Global Television Network, CTV and CBC Television. Further support provided by our Partner: Warner Bros. Canada Inc.

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