The National Screen Institute on Monday said that executive producer Karen Powell has been appointed as the NSI Features First program advisor.

The Features First program is a development launch pad for writer-director-producer teams to produce their first or second feature with commercial appeal.

Powell is a partner in Vancouver-based Perfect Circle Productions. She has worked on several treaty co-productions, is the exec producer of Short Fat Bald Man and recently provided business affairs management on the theatrical feature The Colony.

The NSI Features First program is led by NSI senior program manager Brandice Vivier.

Separately, the NSI’s Ursula Lawson, Melissa Kajpust and Lisa Meeches last week received the Circle of Inspiration award for NSI New Voices, at the 2013 YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.

The awards celebrate Manitoba women who have made a significant contribution to community development. The Circle of Inspiration award recognizes a group of women whose collaboration has led to the advancement or well-being of their community.