For the next two years, the National Screen Institute’s website and Online Short Film Festival is getting an additional financial lift from Netflix Canada.

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is a year-round event that showcases films from both established and fledgling Canadian film talent, and also offers $4000 in prize money every quarter.

“It is a two-year deal, it’s something we’re certainly grateful for, and it will go towards maintaining, evolving and bringing new things to our audience,” Chris Vajcner, Director of Communications and Revenue Development, NSI, told Playback.

Vajcner declined to disclose the amount Netflix Canada is contributing, but said that the streaming company “recognizes the value of showcasing short Canadian films on the NSI website, and so their support goes to the Festival itself, and the actual online nsi-canada.ca.”

The agreement is an expansion of a relationship that began two years ago when Netflix came on board as a sponsor for the NSI Online Short Film Festival, whose popularity has already commanded over 1000 submissions in 2013 alone.

“We’re really excited to work with them because they’re still fairly new in Canada, a lot of interesting things about Netflix and what they have to offer. This has been a great fit for both organizations, because in short film, it’s something online, so we really share the priority of bringing great content.”

Based in Winnipeg, NSI is a resource for Canadian screen professionals, and its year-round NSI Online Short Film Festival adds new films to its website every week.

“The National Screen Institute is a key player in the Canadian screen industry and together NSI and Netflix are committed to showcasing Canadian talent,” said Sean Carey, vice president, content acquisition at Netflix, said in a stataement. “We’re excited to partner with NSI and support their online content. NSI’s website is a valuable resource and its short film festival is a fantastic venue for Canadian filmmakers to promote their work.”

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is supported by Presenting Sponsor Shaw Media, Festival Partner Telefilm Canada, Award Sponsors Blue Ant Media, Shaw Media, A&E Television Networks and Supporting Sponsor Netflix.

NSI Online is financed by Program Partner Telefilm Canada and Supporting Sponsors Rogers and Shaw Media.