Seven Nunavut projects get film cash

Nunavut’s new film, television and media development fund is providing seven Nunavut production companies with a total of $500,000 to kick start their film or video projects.

In August, Nunavut approved a new film policy that created a Nunavut film commission and a one-time $500,000 fund to support worthy projects.

Ann Hanson’s Nuna Media is to receive $41,000, money Hanson said will make it easier to find more financing for her ambitious $7.5-million IMAX project called “Inuit – the People.”

“It’s a good start,” Hanson said.

Based on Inuit legend, the 45-minute film will explore the traditional Inuit view of animals and the environment.

Drumsong Communications, a joint-venture between filmmaker John Houston and Rankin Inlet’s Natsiq Productions, receives $100,000 for its project, “Kiviu’s Journey.”

“The timing of this support is perfect,” said Houston in an interview from Halifax where he is editing the final version of his production, “Diet of Souls.”

The money will allow Drumsong to move ahead immediately with research on the legendary Inuit epic hero who is called, in various dialects, Kiviu, Kiviuk, Qiviuq, Qooqa or Qayaq.

Houston plans to start gathering stories of Kiviu from elders across the North – many of whom are very advanced in years.

“That’s what is giving us a sense of urgency,” Houston said.

The largest film development award, for an amount of $200,000, goes to Igloolik Isuma Productions for its upcoming multi-million-dollar production, “The Journals of Knud Rasmussen,” and an Igloolik man, Ava.

Rasmussen, the noted polar explorer and anthropologist, was born in Ilulissat and grew up in Greenland, where he learned kayaking and dogteaming. In 1910 Rasmussen and fellow explorer Peter Freuchen established a trading post in northern Greenland.

From 1921 to 1924, Rasmussen embarked on his Fifth Thule Expedition, travelling from Greenland throughout the eastern Arctic to collect and record Inuit songs and legends.

Isuma’s full-length docu-drama on Rasmussen is due to attract interest thanks to the success of the company’s Atanarjuat. It will be a joint-Nunavut-Canada-Denmark production.

“I think they’re on a roll,” said Ed McKenna, the acting Nunavut film commissioner. “For many people, they’re an overnight sensation, but they’ve worked their way up to where they are.”

Other projects receiving support from the fund are:

* Atir-go Media: $47,000 for “Mahalia.”
* Uanaya Productions: $47,000 for “The story of Kaujauk.”
* Inuit Communications Systems: $90,000 for a Nunavut elders television series.
* Madeleine Redfern: $10,750 for “The NLCA project.”

Most of these projects are in the research stage and will require a good deal of work and luck to reach broadcast.

In future years, the film commission’s office will administer several programs, including:

* A $300,000 labour rebate program to encourage filmmakers to hire Nunavummiut.
* $20,000 for a marketing assistance program.
* $45,000 for a professional development program.
* $72,000 for industry training and development.

By April 1, McKenna said there should be a permanent film commissioner to oversee the film commission office’s activities.