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Tourism, Culture and Recreation
September 25, 2009

Minister Congratulates Up-and-Coming Newfoundland and Labrador Filmmakers

Newfoundland and Labrador filmmakers Sherry White and Stephen Dunn recently made their mark at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, held September 10-19.

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today congratulated Ms. White on the positive reviews received by her debut feature film Crackie, and Mr. Dunn for his participation in the festival�s well-known Talent Lab.

�The international acknowledgement that both Ms. White and Mr. Dunn have recently received is an example of how our local film industry is continuing to develop and thrive,� said Minister Jackman. �As a government, we are proud to support this province�s film industry, and the professional people who work both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes.�

Ms. White�s film, Crackie, earned rave reviews in The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, Metronews.ca and ELLE Canada as a part of Canada First!, a program that celebrates homegrown talent, focusing on first-time, emerging and established feature filmmakers making their inaugural appearance at TIFF.

Mr. Dunn, director and writer of the short film, The Hall, and a Ryerson University film-student, was selected to participate in the 2009 TIFF Talent Lab. Each year, the Talent Lab selects 25 emerging and aspiring Canadian filmmakers to take part in a four-day program to develop creative networks and enjoy the opportunity to work with, and learn from, some of the world�s best filmmakers and artists.

In addition to TIFF, Minister Jackman said it has also been an exciting time for Newfoundland and Labrador filmmakers at the Atlantic Film Festival, being held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, until September 26. Along with Crackie, feature films screened at the event included Love and Savagery, written by Des Walsh, produced by Barbara Doran and Kevin Tierney, and directed by John Smith; and Grown Up Movie Star, written and directed by Adriana Maggs, and produced by Jill Knox Gosse and Paul Pope.

Through Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation, the Provincial Government has provided over $2.5 million in operational and equity funding to the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation (NLFDC), and $195,000 in operational and program support to the film industry through the Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP). That support includes $65,000 to the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-operative (NIFCO); $60,000 to the Film Producers Association of Newfoundland (PAN); $60,000 to the St. John�s International Women�s Film Festival, and $10,000 to The Nickel Independent Film Festival.

The province has also committed $4.5 million � $1.5 million in film equity funding and $3 million through the Newfoundland and Labrador Film and Video Tax Credit � for the production of Republic of Doyle, a one-hour, 12-episode television series being produced by CBC.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

2009 09 25                         11:15 a.m.


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