Thursday, 3 August 2017

Doc Lab Saskatchewan – Meet the Participants

The dust has settled and we are happy to announce the final participants for Doc Lab Saskatchewan! Since we launched the call in June, we received over 30 proposals from all over the province. The range of stories and approaches was fantastic.

Ultimately, we had to select three projects to move forward into production. We’re so excited to roll up our sleeves with these fantastic emerging filmmakers.

And the filmmakers are…

Louise BigEagle

Louise BigEagle is a First Nations filmmaker and recent graduate of the University of Regina (BA Film Studies). Her most recent short films are I Am a Boy, about a young boy who attended the Regina Indian Industrial School, and Sounds of the Sundance, a composed sound work dedicated to those who attended residential school.

Kristin Catherwood

A writer, folklorist, and storyteller, Kristin Catherwood is the Intangible Development Officer at Heritage Saskatchewan. Newly branching out into the world of documentary, Kristin worked with filmmaker Scott Parker on the NFB-produced Grasslands Project. Her most recent project is called Coal in Coronach.

Eric Thiessen

Based in Saskatoon, Eric Thiessen is a videographer with a decade of commercial and corporate video experience, seeking to branch out into professional film productions that showcase important and engaging stories that reflect both Saskatchewan and Canada to the world.

And some more new faces for the team…

We’re also excited to announce the addition of two fantastic team members who will join producer Jon Montes and the NFB’s North West Studio team.

Robin Schlaht

Filmmaker Robin Schlaht has signed on as director-mentor for Doc Lab Saskatchewan, offering creative support, story advice, and shooting tips for participating filmmakers. Fluidly switching genres, Robin’s work includes the documentaries Moscow Summer (1996), To Be Romeo & Juliet, and the series A Few Good Men and Women, and the drama feature Solitude. His productions have screened internationally – including TIFF, Ann Arbor, SXSW, and FIP (Cannes) – and his latest project, Convictions, was produced as part of the NFB’s Legacies 150 series.

Dara Jade Moats

Dara Jade Moats will also be joining the team as associate producer. A graduate of the University of Regina, Dara, got her start as a graphic designer in Nairobi, Kenya, and has worked in reality television, a new media center for women artists, and in documentary filmmaking. Her own film work includes Adventure Girls III (Best Blood Bath, Viscera Film Festival) and The Makeover (Best Short Film, Atlanta Horror Film Festival). She is currently the Director of Hospitality at the Fantasia International Film Festival and co-founder/programmer at DeuXX, a monthly Montreal screening series of films directed by women.

That’s it for now. Doc Lab Saskatchewan kicks into high gear on Sept 5. We’ll keep you posted as we roll along!

Doc Lab Saskatchewan is produced by the NFB, in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative and Creative Saskatchewan.

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Wednesday, 2 August 2017

Dream Daddy: A Documentary Dad Selection

Dream Daddy is the hottest video game of the summer.

Based off hyper popular Japanese dating sims, the premise of this RS-RPG is incredible: you’re a single dad and you’re trying to meet and romance other single dads. Will you choose Goth Dad? Teacher Dad? Bad Dad? It’s up to you!

With Dream Daddy fever taking over the internet, we decided to jump on the bandwagon and offer you a dreamy selection of some of the coolest documentary dads we have in our collection.

Michael Bublé – Music Dad

Are you a fan of men with voices like honey and a smile that could stop you dead in your tracks? If so, we’ve got a crooner for you! Michael Bublé’s voice will sweep you off your feet and carry you off to dreamland if you choose this music dad.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/audacious/

Harry Jerome – Athlete Dad

Work up a sweat—on the tracks!—with Canadian racing legend, Harry Jerome. Fueled by pure determination and natural talent, this is the dad for all you bludgeoning athletes who don’t mind getting their hands dusty.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/harry_jerome_edu/

Christopher Plummer – Theatre Dad

The hills are alive with how much you love Christopher Plummer. This dad will regale you with a flawlessly performed Shakespearean soliloquy and debate you on the best Ibsen play (A Doll’s House, naturally) until you’re 100% charmed.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/30_minutes_mister_plummer

Arinze Eze – Art Dad

If your ideal date is discussing arts, culture, and travel, then Arinze Eze is the dad of your dreams. After a night of art and excitement, you can hop on a plane and experience a whole new world of adventure.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/where_i_belong/

Leonard Cohen – Folk Dad

Days filled with beautiful poetry and music could be in your future if you grab your guitar, jump in a the backseat of a car, and set off down the road with Leonard Cohen, the ultimate folk dad.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/ladies_and_gentlemen_mr_leonard_cohen/

Kent Nagano – Classical Dad

Your joy will reach a crescendo as nights at the symphony will become a regular occurrence. MSO conductor Kent Nagano can enchant you with his music while simultaneously answering all your questions about Beethoven.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/montreal_symphony/

Jeremy Charles – Food Dad

They say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomachs, and if that’s the case, this dad’s already booked a reservation at the centre of your heart. One of Canada’s top chefs, Jeremy Charles can handle the pressure or romance, all while serving up delicious meals for charity.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/theater_of_life/

Adam Beach – Actor Dad

Do nights of red carpets and film galas appeal to you? Want to be seen on the arm of Adam Beach, one of Canada’s finest actors? The spotlight’s the place for you if you pick this actor dad who can star in a Canadian indie just as seamlessly as a Hollywood blockbuster.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/reel_injun/

Bill Mason – Outdoor Dad

Want to go camping, hiking, or canoeing in the wild without fear? Want to catch fish and game with sticks and determination? Looking for a survivalist that’s also a storyteller? Bill Mason is the outdoor dad for you!

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/song_of_the_paddle/

Sylvester Clark Long – Adventure Dad

If you thought (Oscar®-winner) Leonardo DiCaprio was a catch in Catch Me If You Can, Sylvester Clark Long is the real deal. A master of disguise and the art of the bluff, you’re in for adventures of all shapes and sizes.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/long_lance/

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Tuesday, 1 August 2017

Valerian et la cité des mille planètes

Valérian et Laureline sont des agents spatio-temporels du gouvernement des territoires humains, chargés de maintenir l’ordre dans l’univers. Valérian ambitionne depuis longtemps de dépasser le stade des simples relations professionnelles qui le lient à sa partenaire. Mais sa réputation de séducteur se heurte aux valeurs un peu "traditionnelles" de Laureline qui va continuellement repousser ses avances. Sous la direction de leur Commandant, Valérian et Laureline embarquent pour une mission sur l’incroyable cité intergalactique Alpha, une mégalopole en perpétuelle expansion constituée de milliers d’espèces différentes, issues des quatre coins de l’univers. Les 17 millions d’habitants d’Alpha se sont organisés au fil du temps, unissant leurs talents, leur technologie et leurs ressources pour le bien de tous. Malheureusement, sur Alpha tout le monde ne poursuit pas les mêmes objectifs ; en réalité, des forces invisibles sont à l’œuvre et mettent notre espèce en grand danger.
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Kidnap

Une femme, dont le fils vient d'être enlevé dans un centre commercial, se met à la poursuite des ravisseurs afin de le récupérer.
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XPrize: Facilitator of Exponential Change

XPrize hosts prize competitions intended to change the world.

Literal and Figurative Moon Shots

I first learned of XPrize when the company hosted Seat 14c, a previous weekly fave. Seat 14c is a science fiction writing competition asking authors to imagine a future world. It’s probably one of the most accessible challenges that’s ever been hosted on XPrize, which specializes in having people build things that will change our future world for the better. An example of an XPrize is the Google Lunar XPrize, which challenges engineers to develop “low-cost methods of robotic space travel.” There are also challenges to increase global adult literacy, to explore the bottom of the ocean, and many more large ideas.

“Bold, Audacious Goals”

There are several criteria for what an XPrize has to be. It must have a “bold and audacious goal,” “target market failure” (a problem the market is not addressing), incentivize people to find a solution to a problem, and be an “audacious, but achievable” goal of solving that problem with a small team in a reasonable time frame. XPrizes challenge people to think big for the greater good of humanity (as well as for the monetary prizes involved for the winning teams). It’s an inspiring site, and worth exploring even if you don’t have the skills or resources required to actually participate in one of the competitions.


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Jam: Online Courses for Kids

Jam offers online courses for kids.

Classes for Kids of All Ages

Jam claims to have “hacked learning.” That’s a bold statement, but it does come somewhat close to what Jam has achieved. The company offers online courses for kids, aiming to teach young people skills that they most likely are not learning in school. There are courses for both “younger kids” and “older kids,” and some of the courses for older kids seem fun for, well, much older kids. There are classes like “Host a Minecraft Video Show” and “Animate Your Drawings,” as well as “Cook For Yourself” and “Build Anything with Lego.”

Unlock Your Kids’ Creativity

Jam gives parents full control of their children’s accounts, letting them set everything up and dictate access to certain courses. There’s also a free trial period so parents and children can test out the courses before committing to them. If parents do pay and students finish courses, they’re also awarded certificates. Jam also has an iPhone app, so they can complete their courses from a mobile device. There’s a ton of great content on Jam, and hopefully the company will be better preparing children for future careers or hobbies. Most schools don’t teach kids how to host a Minecraft show, even if that is a genuine career path these days. If you want to get the most out of your kids’ creativity and passion, consider checking out Jam.


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Travel To the Middle East Through NFB Films

For all of you who’ve wanted to travel internationally but just couldn’t find the time or money… did you know there’s an NFB film for that?

Take a cinematic trip to the Middle East through 8 NFB docs!

Freelancer on the Front Lines

From Egypt to Turkey and Iraq by way of Israel and Palestine, witness the ups and downs of freelance journalism in action.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/freelancer_on_the_front_lines/

🇮🇷Iran🇮🇷

Window Horses

Download this film about a young poet who embarks on a journey of discovery and reconciliation while attending a poetry festival in Iran.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/window_horses/

🇮🇶Iraq🇮🇶

Baghdad Twist

Take a tour through the fragmented memories of an Arab exile as  director Joe Balass pulls back the curtain on the once-thriving Jewish population of Iraq.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/baghdad_twist/

From Baghdad to Peace Country

Watch this documentary about a Canadian artist who, in 1999, took a life-altering journey to Baghdad.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/from_baghdad_to_peace_country/

🇮🇱Israel🇮🇱

The Innocent Door

This short doc gives us an unusual view of the old city of Jerusalem, before and after the redevelopment of certain key sectors took place in the early 1970s.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/innocent_door/

🇵🇸Palestine🇵🇸

The Wanted 18

Rent this feature film that mixes live footage with animation to tell the surprising tale of a herd of cows acquired by the Palestinian community of Beit Sahour that came to be seen as a security by the Israeli army.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/wanted_18/

🇯🇴Jordan🇯🇴

Grassroots in Dry Lands

Download a powerful doc that follows three unconventional social workers from the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Jordan and Israel who are coming together to build a more just and civil society.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/grassroots_in_dry_lands/

🇱🇧Lebanon🇱🇧

A Scent of Mint

Follow filmmaker Pierre Sidaoui as he spins the tale of his own immigration from Abey, Lebanon, to Montreal, Canada, and all that it entailed.

oehttps://www.nfb.ca/film/scent_of_mint/

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How We Selected 80 NFB Productions to Commemorate Our 80th Anniversary

As part of our commemoration of the National Film Board’s 80th anniversary, we decided to choose a symbolic 80 powerful productions to high...