The who’s who of the NWT Film and Media Sector came out last night as the NWT Film Commission celebrated a number of its longstanding partners and supporters with a stakeholder recognition dinner.
The COVID-compliant event was opened celebrated 10 years of film and media production in the NWT.
Minister of Industry Tourism and Investment Caroline Wawzonek joined guests on the red carpet and to provide remarks and present awards.
The spotlight focused on five partners that have worked to grow and support the NWT film and media sector.
- Inuvialuit Communications Society – Tamara Voudrach accepting
- Native Communications Society – Rob Oullette accepting
- NWT Professional Media Association – Mason Mantla accepting
- Western Arctic Moving Pictures – Jeremy Emerson accepting
- Dead North Film Festival – Jay Bulckaert and Pablo Saravanja accepting
Each of the organizations received a handcrafted glass plaque with Camilla MacEachern, the NWT Film Commissioner, highlighting their work and accomplishments.
“Building community and capacity in film and media in the north is about people and their passions, and what we, as northerners, can do when we see an opportunity. We have the skills, talent and innovation to take an idea and turn it into a tangible initiative and creation. I look to all of you, and the work you have done to build the pillars of this industry,” said the Minister.
The Dead North Film Festival garnered specific attention as a homegrown made-in-the-north success story. The long-running festival is on hiatus while Artless Collective, the team behind the Festival, focuses on other projects.
The Film and Media Sector contributes more than $15 million to the NWT’s economic output. A new five-year Strategy is due for release in the spring.