The European Film Market is one of the world’s top networking events for the film industry; and for the first time, this year, the NWT’s film industry will have a presence.

Amos Scott of Yellowknife and Jerri Thrasher of Inuvik made the journey to Berlin to take part in the European Film Market, which is hosted in conjunction with Berlinale, the Berlin Film Festival February 9-19.

Berlinale’s NATIVe program is shining the spotlight on Indigenous cinema from the Arctic this year.  The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment’s (ITI) Film Commission has partnered with the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) to send representatives to the event in order to take full advantage of the featured theme and highlight the NWT and its burgeoning film sector.

Amos is the President of the NWT Professional Media Association, the Producer of The Sun at Midnight, and the creator of Dene A Journey. Jerri Thrasher is the writer/director of the short film The Last Walk, which will debut at the European Film Market and is also a TV Producer at the Inuvialuit Communications Society. Both delegates see the European Film Market as an important opportunity to raise the profile of the NWT’s dynamic film industry, the talent and the below-the-line capacity that exists to support guest productions.

NWT Film Commissioner, Camilla MacEachern, is also in attendance to promote the NWT’s diverse locations and unique stories, as well as its Film Rebate Program.

One of the goals of the NWT Film Strategy is to increase the number of guest productions in the NWT that can engage local residents and their services. The European Film Market, which welcomes 9,000 producers, buyers, co-production/sales agents, distributors, exhibitors and financiers offers a great opportunity to create exposure for the NWT as a unique, rewarding destination for film and television producers.  

Increased activity in the NWT film industry generates benefits in in other economic sectors – contributing to greater vibrancy and diversity for the NWT economy.