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October 2011
Manitoba Artists Dominate the WCMAs
Local musicians had a huge showing at this year’s Western Canadian Music Awards in Whitehorse, Yukon. Landing a total of 43 nominations, Manitoba artists and industry professionals walked away with 16 big wins. All participating artists are supported by Manitoba Film & Music.
Once again, singer/songwriter Romi Mayes was named Songwriter of the Year – making this her third win in the category. Manitoba also had a fantastic showing in the Roots category with wins for The Wailin’ Jennys and Del Barber. Music industry professionals also swept the awards, winning in 8 of the 10 industry categories.
Manitoba Winners
Artistic Awards
ABORIGINAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Don Amero – The Long Way Home
COUNTRY RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Ridley Bent – Rabbit On My Wheel
POP RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Imaginary Cities – Temporary Resident
ROOTS DUO/GROUP RECORDING OF THE YEAR
The Wailin' Jennys – Bright Morning Stars
ROOTS SOLO RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Del Barber – Love Songs For The Last Twenty
WORLD RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Trio Bembe – Oh My Soul
INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Del Barber – Love Songs For The Last Twenty
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
Romi Mayes – “Ball and Chain”
Industry Awards
AGENCY OF THE YEAR
Paquin Entertainment Group
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Arun Chaturvedi
ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Cameron Loeppky
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Gilles Paquin - Paquin Entertainment Group
TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
Chris Frayer – Winnipeg Folk Festival
LIVE MUSIC VENUE OF THE YEAR
West End Cultural Centre
INDEPENDENT RECORD LABEL
Head In The Sand
MULTI-MEDIA AWARD
Christine Fellows - Reliquary/Reliquaire
October 2011
Passionflower Get Nod for Best Performance at VIFF
Passionflower actor Kristen Harris was acknowledged for her outstanding performance in a drama at the Vancouver International Film Festival closing night gala and awards presentation Friday, October 14. The film Premiered at the festival.
The Canadian Images jury singled out Harris for her intimate portrayal of Beatrice, the mother in this intense drama about a family coming to terms with the mother’s mental illness. Set in the suburban Winnipeg of the 1960s.
“I’m overjoyed, honored, and humbled to receive this acknowledgment for a film that I loved working on with all my heart,” said Harris. “I turn the spotlight right back around to my director, producer, and fellow actors and share in this joy with them and thank the Vancouver International Film Festival for this honor.”
The made-in-Manitoba feature by first time feature director Shelagh Carter was shot in Winnipeg, with an entirely Manitoba cast and crew.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the fantastic team that pulled together to make this film,” said Carter. “We’ve been gratified by the audience response and connection to the film. Kristen’s performance is intrinsic to its success.”
Manitoba Film and Music Welcomes Bonnie Seidel, Music Programs Assistant
For Immediate Release
April 28, 2011 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
MANITOBA FILM AND MUSIC (MFM) is pleased to announce the addition of Bonnie Seidel, who has joined the corporation’s team as the Music Program Assistant. Working alongside the Manager of Music Programs Jason Smith, Bonnie will perform the administrative duties necessary for processing music funding applications.
“As a huge fan of Manitoba music, I see this as an opportunity to help grow the local music scene and support artists through the application process,” says Bonnie.
Bonnie is a graduate of the Red River College Creative Communications program. She has previously volunteered for Manitoba Music, and has worked for Manitoba Lotteries and in a variety of retail and customer service positions. Bonnie also hosts the KICK FM music show Homespun on Monday nights. The show features Canadian music with a focus on local artists.
“I am thrilled to welcome Bonnie to the MFM team,” says Carole Vivier, the corporation’s CEO. “Her passion for local music makes her an asset to our office and the industry as a whole.” Bonnie began her position with MFM on April 18, 2011. She can be contacted at
bonnie@mbfilmmusic.ca or (204) 947 2040 ex. 24.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Carole Vivier, CEO & Film Commissioner
MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC
carole@mbfilmmusic.ca
Office: 204-947-2040
www.mbfilmmusic.ca
April 15, 2011
Changes to MFM Television Programs
Manitoba Film & Music is pleased to announce improvements to our television program guidelines.
We would like to thank On Screen Manitoba and the local film and television industries for their valuable input on these documents. The deadline for applications to the Television and Web-Based Production Fund is May 2, 2011.
The following guidelines and application forms are now available on our website at
www.mbfilmmusic.ca:
- Pitch Readiness Program for Multi-Episode Productions (Pre-Market Development) -
Manitoba Film & Music is happy to introduce this new program for multi-episodic productions in recognition of the need to stimulate the creation and development of innovative and marketable projects and of the significant costs of taking those projects to the marketplace. The Pitch Readiness Program for Multi-Episode Productions is designed to assist producers of multi-episodic productions that have not yet obtained broadcaster or distributor financial support to prepare the strongest pitch presentations possible;
- Television and Web-Based Development Fund - replaces the Market-Driven Television Development Fund; and
- Television and Web-Based Production Fund - replaces the Market-Driven Television Production Fund.
March 29, 2011
Local Film to screen at Canadian International Documentary Festival
Winnipeg, MB - Manitoban Jaimz Asmundson's short film "The Magus‟ has been selected to screen at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival (
www.hotdocs.ca) in Toronto. The film received support through Manitoba Film & Music‟s Emerging Talent Fund.
Hot Docs is North America's largest documentary film festival, conference and market, held annually in Toronto. This year‟s festival runs from April 28 to May 8.
“This is an amazing opportunity for an emerging filmmaker like Jaimz – who will be showcased alongside great international talent,” says Carole Vivier, CEO of Manitoba Film & Music. “We are proud to have supported such an innovative project that will bring a strong Manitoba presence to the festival.”
"The Magus" is a multi-format, process-based experimental film that explores the root of artistic creation. The film documents the work of Jaimz's father C. Graham Asmundson, who is a visual artist, over a rigorous six-month period. Winnipeg‟s own Guy Maddin has called the film „brilliant and addictive‟.
“This film was a major and a significant stepping stone for me as an artist,” says Jaimz Asmundson.
“Having a high-profile screening at a festival like Hot Docs has given me a positive validation that my time spent on the film was a worthy investment.”
Also screening at the festival is Walter Forsberg‟s short film "Fahrenheit 7-Eleven‟ – which takes a humorous look at a piece of Winnipeg folklore. The film was produced by Matthew Rankin.
"The Magus‟ will screen in Toronto alongside the film "Dust. A Sculptor's Journey" by Jeanne Pope on Sunday, May 1st at 9:30pm and again on Wednesday May 4 at 1:00pm. "Fahrenheit 7-Eleven‟ will screen on Friday, April 29 at 6:45pm and Saturday, May 7 at 4:15pm.
MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC is a statutory corporation of government funded by the Province of Manitoba through the Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism. MFM exists so our film and music industries flourish.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Ginny Collins
Communications and Marketing Director
MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC
ginny@mbfilmmusic.ca
Office: 204-947-2040
www.mbfilmmusic.ca
March 29, 2011
Music Program Changes
MANITOBA FILM AND MUSIC (MFM) is pleased to announce the following improvements to our music funding programs. These changes have been made in consultation with the music industry in order to better assist Manitoba musicians in their career development through streamlined programming.
The following program changes will take effect April 1st, 2011.
LEVEL III LARGER BUDGET ALBUM RECORDING FUND
Artists must have MFM-recognized distribution OR have attained a minimum number of approved sales in order to apply for Level 3 funding. Previously, distribution or sales requirements were noted in the assessment. MFM-recognized distribution or minimum sales requirements may be achieved by either one of the following methods:
1. Have a current signed deal with an MFM-recognized distributor, (please see www.mbfilmmusic.ca for a complete list)
OR
2. Have confirmed sales of a minimum 500 ‘units’ of the artist's most recent release through any combination of physical sales and monetized downloads. These are quantified as follows:
a) Physical Sales
Each CD sold is the equivalent of one ‘unit’ sold
b) Download Sales*
i) Full album sales - Each paid full-album download is the equivalent of one ‘unit’ sold
ii) Individual track sales - 3 paid individual track downloads is the equivalent of one ‘unit’ sold
*Must be supported by a download service provider report
Information Release
TOURING
The number of contracted performance dates required to be eligible for MFM’s touring program has been reduced from 8 to 4. Artists no longer need to create separate bank accounts for each individual tour. Artists may now create one bank account corresponding to their registered business that can be used for all touring initiatives. Initial cash disbursements for approved tours will now be reduced from 80% to 70% upon execution of the applicable contracts and agreements. The remaining 30% of available funds will be dispersed following the submission and approval of a final cost report relating to the tour. Allowable amounts for payments in cash have been increased from $50 to $150, providing they are accompanied by an approved, verifiable receipt (ie: Holiday Inn, ESSO Gas Station etc.) Per diems and artist performance fees may now be paid in cash and one signed receipt per person verifying the per diem amount being claimed, may be submitted for the full amounts paid out. Previously, per diems and artist fees had to be accompanied by a verified proof of payment, such as a check or money order. New per diem and artist fee rates for 2011 / 2012 are as follows:
2011 / 2012
PER DIEM RATES:
Canada = $45 per artist, per day
USA = $65 per artist, per day
International (Europe / Japan / Australia etc.) = $100 per ARTIST, per day 2011 / 2012 ARTIST FEE RATES
$150 per show / per artist (ie: 6 shows x $150 = $900 / musician)
MARKETING
Yearly funding for MFM’s Marketing program will be adjusted from 50% of total approved costs to a maximum of $7500 (per fiscal year) to 50% of total approved costs to a maximum of $10 000 (per fiscal year). Artists may apply for the program more than once per fiscal year (April 1st – March 31st), providing they do not exceed the new $10, 000 cap. Artists may not apply for the same costs more than once.
MASTERING OUT OF PROVINCE NOW ALLOWABLE
Mastering charges to Manitoba artists approved in one of the Music Recording programs, billed by companies from outside Manitoba, will now be eligible in the artist’s final cost report. These costs will be reimbursed at the standard rate of 50% (of approved eligible costs), if an invoice and verified proof of payment is provided. Previously, out of province mastering charges were not allowable in final cost reports.
NOTE: All other costs incurred in the production of an artist’s album must be incurred in Manitoba to be eligible for inclusion in final cost reports.
$1500 “CAP” ON APPLICATION ADMIN FEES
Application administration fees will be capped at 15% of the total approved costs to a MAXIMUM of $1500. Currently, administration fees are 15% of total approved costs with no maximum cap. This is to keep in sync with FACTOR.
For further information, please contact:
Jason Smith
Manager, Music Programs
MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC
jason@mbfilmmusic.ca
(204) 947 2040
Manitoba in the Spotlight at SXSW
March 7, 2011 - Winnipeg, MB
Science fiction thriller The Divide, filmed entirely in Manitoba in 2010, will receive its world premiere this month at the South by South West (SXSW) film and music festival. Many Manitobans were involved in the creation of the film, employed both as talent and crew. Local producer Juliette Hagopian co-produced the project.
MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC supported The Divide through equity investment as part of the Jump Start program; a one-time stimulus incentive from the Province of Manitoba designed to boost film production.
SXSW is a prestigious international festival held in Austin, Texas that features some of the best in film and music from around the world. The Divide will screen as part of the festival’s ‘Midnighters’ series on March 17.
The Divide, directed by Xavier Gens and starring Lauren German, Milo Ventimiglia and Rosanna Arquette, is the story of eight strangers who take refuge in the basement of their apartment building after a bomb devastates New York City. The residents soon succumb to cabin fever as fear of sickness, dwindling supplies, and ruthless outside invaders, plays on their mind.
An impressive group of Manitoba musicians will also make their way down to Texas for SXSW. Local acts including Imaginary Cities, The Liptonians, Royal Canoe, The Details, Hope Atlantic, The Lytics, Christine Fellows, Les Jupes, Boats and KEN Mode will perform for international music industry professionals.
Manitoba Music and MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC will also host their 13th annual Manitoba party at SXSW on March 18. The party brings together Manitoba artists and industry players for an evening of networking and developing business relationships.
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