Canwest has put $1.5 million into the National Screen Institute – Canada in Winnipeg, and will send the funds over the next seven years into programs including NSI’s Global Marketing, Features First and New Voices.

The media conglom is proud to ‘aid the next generation of content creators in the advancement of their careers on both a domestic and international level,’ exec Lynne Munro said in a release.

Canwest has a history of supporting its cross-town neighbor, and in 2001 kick-started the Global Marketing program with a similar donation. ‘NSI has enjoyed a fruitful association with Canwest for many years,’ said Susan Millican, the institute’s CEO. ‘We are pleased they’ve chosen to expand their affiliation beyond that program.’