2011 Entry Deadlines
Programs aired between May 1/10 – Nov 30/10
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2011
Broadcaster submissions due April 19, 2011

Programs aired between Dec 1/10 – Apr 30/11
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2011
Broadcaster submissions due May 3, 2011

Programs aired between April 1/11 – April 30/11
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011
News submissions only

The entry form can be found online at www.geminiawards.ca & can be submitted via email to geminis@academy.ca

For more information contact Jennifer Vella ~ jennifer@academy.ca or 416-366-2227 ext. 247

PLEASE NOTE: Academy Members receive reduced entry fee rates when entering the Gemini Awards. Join online and become a member today at www.academy.ca/membership

In January 2008, filmmaker Michelle Jackson contracted viral myocarditis and died suddenly and unexpectedly. It was an event that shocked the film community here and abroad. In those early days of trying to comprehend Michelle’s loss, Noreen Golfman, Chair of the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival, with the encouragement of the Panting and Jackson families, initiated the Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Fund. Since its formation, the fund has raised several thousand dollars for the trust and has amassed a number of sponsors for the annual award.

This award is open to emerging female directors living in Newfoundland and Labrador. It will provide services and cash to create a six-minute film. The final film will be premiered at the next St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival (October 26-30, 2010).

The Award Committee, comprising just a few of Michelle’s many friends, has worked to make this award significant. The successful candidate will receive:

— $5,000 cash award courtesy of the RBC Foundation
— $4,000 cash award courtesy of CBC St. John’s
— $10,000 in-kind equipment from PS Atlantic
— $5,000 in-kind post production services from the
Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Cooperative
— Buy 1 get 2 free, either 16mm or 35mm film stock from Kodak Canada Inc.
— Production and Post services for a 6-minute film from Deluxe Toronto (no limit)
— Short Shoot Insurance coverage from Fraser & Hoyt Insurance
— Script consultation with Gail Collins
— $1,250 cash, $500 legal services and congratulatory luncheon courtesy of Stewart McKelvey
— $1,500 cash from the Newfoundland Labrador Film Development Corporation
— $1,000 cash from Power Post Limited
— $500 cash from the Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Fund
— $500 cash from the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival
— 2 Festival passes from the Atlantic Film Festival

Complete details of the Award, guidelines, and application forms are available on the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival website (www.womensfilmfestival.com/mj_award.php).

The application deadline is Friday, May 14th, with the announcement of the successful candidate on May 31st.

The RBC Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Award commemorates Jackson’s contribution to young filmmakers and pays tribute to her as an emerging artist.

The Women’s Film Festival sincerely thanks the Award’s generous donors, including the RBC Foundation’s donation of an additional $2,500 to go towards administration of the Award.

CONTACT: Kelly Davis, Executive Director, St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival
Phone: 709-754-3141, Fax: 709-754-0049, Email: kelly@womensfilmfestival.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2617925373

PDF Downloads: Award Application and Guidelines.

Members of the public can submit one nomination in each of the following six categories:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2009
Recognizes the art or activity of a person, group or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2009.

ARTS ACHIEVEMENT 2009
Recognizes a practising artist who has made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador over a period of years.

ARTS IN EDUCATION 2009
Recognizes an artist who has made an outstanding contribution to arts in education in Newfoundland and Labrador over a period of years.

EMERGING ARTIST 2009
Recognizes new and undisputed talent. It is awarded to an emerging artist, group or arts organization that has earned significant recognition for a piece of work or a generally out-sized impact on the scene.

HALL OF HONOUR 2009
Recognizes a person, group or organization that has made a distinguished lifetime contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador.

PATRON OF THE ARTS 2009
Recognizes a person, business, or organization that has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador through innovative, community, or sustained support of artistic activity. For nomination guidelines and forms please see: Awards and check under each award category. Start thinking about people you’d like to see honoured at the NLAC Arts Awards!

Please note that nominations close February 1, 2010.

The annual Arts Awards honour the accomplishments of Newfoundland and Labrador’s artists.

The six award winners are:

Artist of the Year Award: Sherry White (screenwriter, filmmaker and performer)
Congratulations Sherry from all of us at NIFCO.
Arts in Education Award: Rob Power (performer and music educator)
Patron of the Arts Award: Drs. Jean and Angus Bruneau
Hall of Honour Award: Rick Boland (actor)
Hall of Honour Award: Central Newfoundland Visual Arts Society (CNVAS)
Rogers Arts Achievement Award: James Anderson (photographer)
CBC Emerging Artist Award: Kellie Walsh (choral conductor)

NLAC Chair Camelita McGrath said, “This year’s winners represent artists who are achieving excellence in their fields both at home and away. We are proud to honour them here tonight and celebrate their accomplishments. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists.”

Nominations for the awards are submitted by the arts community, arts organizations and the general public. Members of Council vote by secret ballot to select the finalists and winners.

Winners of the Artist of the Year, Emerging Artist, Arts in Education, and Arts Achievement Awards receive a $2000 cash prize and a piece of artwork. Winners of the Patron of the Arts Award receive a piece of artwork. Inductees into the Hall of Honour receive a framed certificate.

The NLAC Arts Awards is an annual celebration of the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador. Artists of all disciplines are recognized through the presentation of six awards.

The Arts Awards Show and Gala will take place on Saturday May 2, 8 p.m. at the Reid Theatre in St. John’s.

Finalists were announced today in three award categories:

Artist of the Year 2008 – recognizes the art or activity of a person, group or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2008.

The finalists are:
• Duo Concertante – classical chamber music ensemble
• Justin Simms – filmmaker
• Sherry White – screenwriter, filmmaker and performer

Arts in Education 2008 – recognizes an artist who has made an outstanding contribution to arts in education in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2008. The finalists are:

• Robin Grant – visionary, writer and youth activist
• Rob Power – performer and music educator
• Christina Smith – Newfoundland musician and teacher

Emerging Artist 2008 – recognizes new and undisputed talent. It is awarded to an emerging artist, group or arts organization that has earned significant recognition for a piece of work or a generally out-sized impact on the scene. The finalists are:

• Curtis Andrews – percussionist, composer and teacher
• Riddle Fence – journal of arts and culture
• Kellie Walsh – choral conductor

Also announced today were the 2009 inductees into the NLAC Hall of Honour. This award recognizes a person, group or organization that has made a distinguished lifetime contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador. The inductees for 2009 are:

• Rick Boland – actor, writer and director
• Central Newfoundland Visual Arts Society (CNVAS)

These awards will be officially presented at the Arts Awards ceremony on May 2.

Two more awards will be presented on May 2nd: Arts Achievement 2008 and Patron of the Arts 2008. (Council does not prepare a list of finalists in these award categories.)

Well-known theatre director Danielle Irvine returns this year to produce and direct the show. The theme she has chosen to work with is “Anything is Possible”.

“Reflecting over the past year it was inspiring to see, both as a province and as an arts community, all the amazing places Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have found themselves,” said Irvine. “Our Premier has been quoted as saying “anything is possible”, and that has launched our theme for this year.”

The NLAC is delighted to have actor and comedian Phil Churchill host the show, along with musical hosts the Terri Lynn Eddy Band. The evening will include performances by Anahareo White-Malone and Wonderbolt Circus, East Rock Crew, and The Once.

Also unveiled at today’s news conference was the artwork that will be presented to the winners in five of the award categories. This year’s artwork was created by Torbay sculptor John Goodyear. Each piece is a one of a kind sculptured hollow form made from American Walnut. They are approximately six inches in diameter and four inches in height and consist of two layers: a thick bark-like outer layer, which has an eroded appearance that reveals the inner form. The inner form consists of what appears to be an intricate organic web like structure. These pieces are based on the concept of erosion; the revelation of a lost and secret gift that has been exposed due to the erosion process.

Tickets for the Awards Show and Gala (Saturday, May 2, 8 p.m.) are now on sale at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre Box Office, 729-3900. Tickets are $20 with proceeds going to the Cultural Assistance Plan for Emergencies (CAPE Fund).

Bios and photographs are available on request.

For more information contact:

Janet McDonald
Communications Officer
Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council
(709) 726-2212
jmcdonald@nf.aibn.com

www.nlac.nf.ca

Members of the public can submit one nomination in each of the following six categories:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2008
Recognizes a person, group or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2008.

ARTS ACHIEVEMENT 2008
Recognizes a practising artist who has made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador over a period of years.

ARTS IN EDUCATION 2008
Recognizes an artist who has made an outstanding contribution to arts in education in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2008.

EMERGING ARTIST 2008
Recognizes new and undisputed talent. It is awarded to an emerging artist, group or arts organization that has earned significant recognition for a piece of work or a generally out-sized impact on the scene.

HALL OF HONOUR 2008
Recognizes a person, group or organization that has made a distinguished lifetime contribution to the cultural life of Newfoundland and Labrador.

PATRON OF THE ARTS 2008
Recognizes a person, business, or organization that has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador through innovative, community, or sustained support of artistic activity.

For nomination forms please visit nlac.nf.ca 

Start thinking about people you’d like to see honoured at the NLAC Arts Awards!

Please note that nominations close February 2, 2009.

Janet McDonald
Communications Officer
Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council
1 Springdale Street
P.O. Box 98 jmcdonald@nf.aibn.com

For more information, please contact the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council office at 726-2212 or toll free 1 (866) 726-2212 (NL only).