The National Screen Institute – Canada is calling for applicants for submissions to its 2001 Drama Prize Short Film Development Program. Providing a maximum of $44,000 each to as many as six teams of filmmakers, the prizes can provide a combination of training, cash and services to make a ‘portfolio’ (aka calling card) short film of about 10 minutes in length. The breakdown in funds available to the writer/producer/ director teams is $30,000 in training and mentorship experience with ‘Canada’s top filmmakers,’ plus $8,000 in cash and $6,000 in services to use in the film’s production. Teams will have a year to finish their film.

The deadline for submitting proposals to nsi is Nov. 6, 2000. Shortlisted applicants will pitch to a jury and winners will be announced at Winnipeg’s Local Heroes Canadian Film Festival, which begins next Feb. 25. *

-www.nsi-canada.ca