BC Knowledge Network has a callout to budding filmmakers across the province to find folks interested in creating a series of 10 short documentaries about the history of the Nelson area using old photos from the region.
The public broadcaster is currently accepting story pitches from interested filmmakers, who would be required to come to Nelson for a two-day workshop in June for a chance at the $30,000 film contact.
Rudy Buttignol, Knowledge Network president and CEO, said the network is interested in helping foster the film industry throughout the province and offering opportunities of filmmakers to work outside the Lower Mainland.
“There are a lot of talented filmmakers based in Nelson,” said Buttignol, who visited the area on a film tour last year. “Often they need to come to Vancouver for a lot of things — but we wanted to turn that around and have people from Vancouver come to Nelson.”
He said Kootenay filmmakers may have an advantage in the competition because they know the local history, though anyone in BC with some film experience under their belt is welcome to apply.
“This is really about promoting professional filmmaking, and offering an opportunity to someone who has been through a film program decided to make it their life passion,” Buttignol said.
The decision to base the films on old photographs was a way to keep the scope of the project something that a single filmmaker could complete working alone on their own computer, without needing to hire a crew to work with them.
The finished series will air on the Knowledge Network and be available to stream online. Buttignol also expects there will be a local screening organized in Nelson.
He’s also interested in seeing the Knowledge Network sponsor more film-development projects in Nelson if this one goes well.
“We’re trying to find a few places to set up permanently in the interior of the province where there’s a critical mass of filmmakers,” Buttignol said, noting the Knowledge Network has already partnered with a film school in Kamloops and sponsors an annual film festival there. “I’m hoping Nelson will become a place where we form an ongoing relationship.”
The deadline to pitch a story ideas for the Nelson historical film series competition is April 26. All the details are at knowledge.ca/shorts-competition.