Hello Filmpool Members!
I know it’s hard to believe, but the end of March means it’s Filmpool membership renewal time again!
The Filmpool is extremely grateful for your membership this past year and of course we would like nothing more than to receive your support by renewing for 2016 – 2017.
My hope is that we’ve been able to support your film related needs and interests over the past year. Many of you have been directly involved with production and/or post-production activities this past year and I’m sure that our staff members have done everything possible to support you with your endeavours. Others join the Filmpoool to become part of our arts community and to network/connect with like-minded artists and film enthusiasts. But regardless of why you join, we are very appreciative of your support. Your annual contribution is how this place keeps its doors open and has been for almost 40 years! That’s right – next March 16, 2017 will be the Filmpool’s 40th birthday! When I think of literally the thousands of film projects we’ve supported over the years – not to mention the hundreds of exhibitions, workshops, outreach activities, as well as the Splice Magazines, newsletters, etc. – we have a great deal to be proud of. The Filmpool has serviced our community exceedingly well. But it’s only made possible through support from our incredible members, both past and present.
Over the past couple of years, the Filmpool has supported almost all of this province’s locally made features, including The Sabbatical, Basic Human Needs, Finding Al, Bread Thieves, Patient 62, as well as Land of Rock and Gold (currently in post production). Of course we’ve also supported dozens and dozens of smaller projects, many of which have been screened at venues and festivals across Canada and beyond. We have supported the popular One Take Super 8 event for eleven years! We have partnered in the production of Saskatchewan Arts Alliance promotional video (Arts Matter), 6 x 30 second PSA’s called #WeAreSk about Sask immigrants, 3 x Ledge 100 videos, as well as numerous projects in association with mispon (A Celebration of Indigenous Filmmaking), and their annual festival. Our annual Conexus Film Camp for youth is regarded as one of the best summer camps in Regina. We also present the annual Screening Under the Steeple and the recently established Saskatchewan Independent Film Awards (SIFAs). And thanks to the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the Filmpool has provided two artist in residence programs, one featuring puppet filmmaking with Chrystene Ells and the other vertical format filmmaking with Berny Hi. We have presented three retrospectives of members work, including Dianne Ouellette, Jason Britski and Brett Bell. We are extremely proud of our partnership with the Dunlop Art Gallery and the U of R Film Department with Independent Visions (a monthly exhibition of independent films). Over the past three years, three of our members were on the winning end of Telefilm’s Micro-Budget Program (Kelly Anne Reiss, Janine Windolph and Daniel Redenbach.)
Each year, through a Filmpool jury, we provide members with $10,000 in direct production funding, as well as thousands of dollars in equipment deferral for independent projects. Our Production Coordinator Logan Vanghel has created over 300 equipment and facility sign out sheets this past year. Our Programming Coordinator Mitch Doll has produced a very impressive programming schedule of workshops, exhibitions, and outreach projects, including the upcoming Caligari Project (a call for German Expressionism films will be posted shortly). In addition, through the leadership of our Membership Services Coordinator Kristine Dowler, the Filmpool is always there to welcome new members to our community, and to provide as much support as possible for your film needs (dailies, website, social media). And of course, we are delighted to have Wanda Schmockel as the new Splice Magazine editor. In fact, there will be a new edition of Splice arriving at all members’ doorsteps in the next 10 days!
The Filmpool has always been here to support Saskatchewan’s independent film community. We have tons of talent in this province and it is our job (and your job as well) to support the myriad ways we can help our talented film artists realize their projects.
Thanks again for your continued support of the Filmpool!
Gord Pepper Executive Director
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