Filmmaker Cory Bowles says he likes to explore questions through his work. His latest questions: What if a black police officer wanted to respond to systematic police violence? What if he did so by directing his frustrations at non-minorities? Bowles’ current project, Black Cop, touches on satire and humour as well as drama. It’s based […]
Film
Posted inArts + Music
Video Difference’s iconic flicks get a second curtain
The Video Difference era ended months ago, as the Quinpool Road destination rented its last DVD on August 15. With the Halifax landmark closing, there was worry its impressive vaults of indie, Canadian and old-school movie offerings would be lost (or, at least, scattered amongst private collections). Coast writer Tara Thorne chronicled the store’s credits […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
5,500 Video Difference movies purchased by Dalhousie and Halifax Libraries
[Image-1] In a post-credits stinger worthy of any superhero blockbuster, Halifax Public Libraries and Dalhousie University have swooped in to purchase 5,500 hard-to-find films from Video Difference’s collection. The news comes just a day after the Quinpool Road and Bedford Highway landmark stopped renting movies after 34 years of business. “We’ve seen great enthusiasm across […]
Posted inArts + Music
Elvis Presley can’t let go of Annett Wolf
[Image-1] “Let me tell you a funny story about Elvis,” says Annett Wolf, the Halifax-based writer, filmmaker and wildlife advocate. “Elvis won’t let go of me.” This week Wolf, 79, is on her way to Bad Nauheim, Germany. Elvis Presley was stationed in the town during his stint in the US army. It’s hosted the […]
Posted inArts + Music
Cape Breton feature Werewolf to premiere at TIFF
A feature film by Cape Breton filmmaker Ashley McKenzie, and producer Nelson MacDonald will make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the fest announced this morning. Werewolf, is McKenzie’s first feature and was shot entirely in and around New Waterford, the filmmakers’ hometown. MacDonald, Werewolf’s producer says he and McKenzie wanted […]
Posted inArts + Music
May the fourth be with you: watch this local Star Wars fan film
In March, we posted this Jedi mind trick (i.e. casting call) for actors to audition for a local Star Wars fan film to be entered in the 2016 Star Wars Fan Film Awards. Today, from a galaxy not that far away, director David Connellan presents his official entry, The Mask of Leia. Written by Ian Wilson, and starring […]
Posted inArts + Music
No change for film industry in Nova Scotia’s new budget
[Image-1] Well, the province has finished crunching the numbers and this year’s budget thankfully won’t see any more cuts to the film industry. But it won’t be fattening up its wallet either. The Film Incentive Fund remains unchanged, still capped at $10 million despite the chilly reception from both the industry and the public since […]
Posted inArts + Music
Bill Niven and Jay Dahl want to throw a $300,000 Halloween Party
[Image-1] Nearly $300,000 in funding from the province might not be enough to keep Bill Niven’s next feature in Nova Scotia. This week, Nova Scotia Business Inc. announced feature film Halloween Party, will receive a funding commitment of $299,143 through the Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund. Niven’s producing the movie, which is […]
Posted inArts + Music
Nova Scotia offers $810,368 for new Trailer Park Boys TV show
[Image-1] Ricky, Julian and Bubbles just made an $800,000 score. Nova Scotia Business Inc. announced Tuesday that it’s offering $810,368 in production funding for Trailer Park Boys Out of the Park: Europe, the newest television show chronicling the escapades of actors/executive producers Mike Smith, Robb Wells and John Paul Tremblay. At close to a million […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
It’s time this government got back to work and fixed Nova Scotia’s film industry
[Image-1] The making of films in Nova Scotia has been a part of the artistic and business landscape since 1913 when Evangeline, one of Canada’s very first films, was shot here. Thousands of Nova Scotians have been employed in this industry over the years. They and their families were a vital part of the Nova Scotia […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Province looking for public input on this year’s budget
[Image-1] This should go well. Starting immediately, the Nova Scotian public can share their thoughts with the Liberal government about this year’s provincial budget and how to shape future budgets, taking part in what will assuredly be a discussion marked by polite decorum. “I want Nova Scotians to share their ideas on how to restore […]
Posted inArts + Music
How dead is Nova Scotia’s film biz?
Last April’s budget announcement kicked off a tumultuous time for Nova Scotia’s film industry. The Liberal government slashed the film tax credit, the foundation of the film industry in many other provinces. After much backlash and a very successful PR campaign headed by Screen Nova Scotia, the previous uncapped tax credit, estimated to be worth […]