Emerging filmmakers to debut inspiring shorts as part of Light(s) at the End of the Tunnel series
Toronto, ON (March 24, 2021) – REEL CANADA and Netflix Canada have joined forces to create a cinematic snapshot of the country as we emerge from the pandemic, engaging up-and-coming film talent to create eleven short films under the banner of Light(s) at the End of the Tunnel. Set to debut on National Canadian Film Day on April 21st, the eleven films run between one and six minutes and are created by fifteen young filmmakers identified as rising stars by a range of industry leaders.
The young filmmakers were selected by REEL CANADA staff and advisors, including board members Atom Egoyan and Veronica Tennant; Don McKellar; Tom McSorley (director of the Canadian Film Institute); and NFB animation producers Jelena Popović and Maral Mohammadian. Diverse both culturally and geographically, the film creators hail from Vancouver, Regina, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and Pabineau First Nation (NB).
The short films include animation (4), live-action (5), and documentaries (2). Each project received $10,000 cash. Production equipment was generously contributed by William F. White International (and MELS for Montreal-based projects).
“By every measure, this has been an unusual year and we wanted to do something special for NCFD. This collection delivers a unique perspective on where we are as a country in this moment, as well as a bit of hope that there truly is some light at the end of the tunnel,” said Jack Blum, Executive Director, REEL CANADA. “With the drastic reduction of production activity during COVID, we wanted to give these young talents a chance to flex their muscles as we all wait for things to return to normal.”
“Canadians from coast to coast have deeply felt the impacts of the last year in all areas of their lives,” said Stéphane Cardin, Director of Policy for Netflix Canada. “This initiative is giving a voice to a broad range of Canadian filmmakers during an important period in our country’s history and we look forward to sharing their stories with the world.”
The Light(s) at the End of the Tunnel short film series will debut as part of National Canadian Film Day programming on April 21st on the NCFD streaming platform.
Information on the Light(s) at the End of the Tunnel short films series can be found at canfilmday.ca/lights.
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About Netflix Canada
Netflix is one of the world’s leading entertainment services with 204 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.
About REEL CANADA
REEL CANADA is a non-profit, charitable organization that promotes the diversity of Canadian film and its power to spark important conversations about what it means to be Canadian. Through our three core programs—Our Films in Our Schools, Welcome to Canada, and National Canadian Film Day (NCFD)—REEL CANADA has reached millions of high school students, new Canadians, and general audience members.
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
