Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
October 21, 2015
Province's Film Industry Strengthened with Strategic Investments
$85,000 Supports Innovation in Film Making at the St. John's International Women's Film Festival
With the support of the Provincial Government, the St. John's International Women's Film Festival is once again welcoming the international film community to St. John's. Funding of $85,000 has been provided to the 2015 festival.
"My department has worked closely with St. John's International Women's Film and Video Festival Inc. in order to diversify and meet the ever-changing needs of the film and media sectors. The Provincial Government is proud to support this highly-anticipated festival and I am confident that this investment will help the festival continue to play a key role in bringing vital profile to important gender and social issues through film."
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
The Provincial Government provided $60,000 under the Cultural Economic Development Program in support of the five-day festival which allows for a supportive environment where local and visiting filmmakers, broadcasters, distributors and other industry professionals can discuss and promote their work. An additional $25,000 was provided in support of the festival's interactive film forum which bringstogether some of the country's leading film, television and digital media creators for a series of panels, workshops, networking opportunities, pitch sessions and project consultations
"The St. John's International Women's Film Festival has played a key role in this province's thriving film industry for 26 years. Our film festival provides local artists the opportunity to screen their works in an internationally renowned film festival, while our Film Industry Forum provides unparalleled professional development and networking opportunities for film industry professionals in the province. We could not have achieved this level of success without the support of the Provincial Government."
- Noreen Golfman, Festival Chair and Founder
Attracting over 4,000 participants, each year the festival receives approximately 500 film submissions, and from those, presents a powerful program of international documentaries, short films and feature works. Since 2013, the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development has provided over $300,000 to the St. John's International Women's Film Festival in support of its various programs and initiatives.
"The screen industries in Newfoundland and Labrador are dynamic and growing. Our films have been praised at Cannes, Sundance and TIFF, and many other festivals, and our television series have aired in more than 90 countries around the world. Our actors, writers, directors and producers are among the best known stars in the country, and more than 3,650 full-time employment equivalencies have been created by the provincial film and television industry. Since 1997, the total value of production activity in Newfoundland and Labrador has been $313 million, which has leveraged over $251 million additional investment in this province."
- Minister King
Established in 1989 to support and promote women filmmakers, the St. John's International Women's Film Festival produces screenings, workshops and other events throughout the year, culminating in a five-day film festival held in October in St. John's.
- The Provincial Government has provided $85,000 to support the 2015 St. John's International Women's Film Festival.
- The St. John's International Women's Film Festival is one of the longest running women's film festivals in the world.
- The 26th annual St. John's International Women's Film Festival runs October 20-24. Additional information on the festival and this year's full schedule can be found at: www.womensfilmfestival.com
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Media contacts:
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Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
Sarah Smellie
Executive Director St. John's International Women's Film Festival 709-754-3141, 689-0296 sarah@womensfilmfestival.com |
2015 10 21 11:40 a.m.