Seven Canadian producers are set to receive professional development support under the Whistler Film Festival Society’s (WFFS) inaugural David Miller Legacy Award.

WFFS announced the recipients for the fund, named in honour of late Canadian producer David Miller, on Monday (Nov. 28). The honourees, who are attending WFF Talent Programs and are WFF22 Producers Lab participants, will each receive a $500 bursary.

There are several B.C. recipients, including Playback‘s 10 to Watch 2021 recipient Kent Donguines with the project Forbidden Tikka Masala, written by Rahul Chaturvedi and Manu Chopra; Kate Green with Maybe This Christmas, which she wrote with Christopher Campbell; and Sina Sultani with Trace, also written by Sultani.

The cohort is rounded by Tanis Parenteau of Alberta with The Chief and Her Sister, written by Andrew Genaille; Ontario’s Luke Humphrey with Teething, written by Glen Matthews; Quebec’s Christina Saliba with WFF20 Power Pitch winner White Noise, written by Tamara Scherbak; and Shelley Thompson of Nova Scotia with the self-written Bouquet.

The David Miller Legacy Award fund is intended to further the recipients’ projects and careers in reflection of the spirit and commitment to the industry displayed by the late producer (The Righteous, Amal), according to a news release. He died in April 2021 after a career spanning over 20 years, which included serving as the director of creative and business development for Channel Zero, and becoming president and producer at A71 Productions, which was later merged under the Vortex Media umbrella.

The fund is held at the Whistler Community Foundation, with foundational support from Vortex Media as well as support from individuals and corporations.

“David Miller was a dedicated teacher and mentor to filmmakers, and a tireless industry advocate,” said Angela Heck, executive director at WFF, in a statement. “He was also a frequent guest at our festival, with deep ties to Canada’s west coast. To honour him personally, professionally and as a friend of the festival, our goal is to continue to grow the endowment that will serve to elevate and amplify the diverse voices who are developing and producing Canadian stories for the world.”

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