LIFT and imagineNATIVE 2020 Mentorship Announcement
2020 LIFT and imagineNATIVE Mentorship Winner Tim Myles
Toronto, June 16, 2020—The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival and the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) are pleased to announce that Toronto-based artist Tim Myles is the recipient of the 16th annual LIFT/imagineNATIVE Mentorship. Tim is a Mi’kmaq artist originally from St. Bernard’s-Jacques Fontaine, Newfoundland. This annual mentorship was developed to offer an Indigenous artist living in the Greater Toronto Area the opportunity to expand their practice into the realm of film, and present their new work in a professional context. His planned film, Little Bird tells the story of a young, Indigenous man who finds strength in family while processing the death of his mother.
Tim will be enrolled in LIFT’s seasonal workshops and will be provided with access to and mentorship around LIFT’s production and post-production equipment. He will receive additional financial and resource support from imagineNATIVE and other to-be-confirmed mentorship partners to complete a film for premiere at the 2020 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival (October 20-25). Through the generous support of lead industry partner Netflix, imagineNATIVE has been able to expand their financial contribution to the LIFT/imagineNATIVE Mentorship Program to help Indigenous artists bring their short films to life.
“Making a first film is always hard and Tim has additional challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis,” says Chris Kennedy, LIFT’s Executive Director. “However, his message of how families process loss is especially apropos this year. We’re committed to supporting Tim in making sure his singular concept comes to the screen through this mentorship program.”
“We are thrilled to be working with Tim and supporting this film, a poignant story beautifully told through Tim’s artistic lens,” adds Adriana Chartrand, imagineNATIVE’s Institute Manager.
“I am beyond grateful to LIFT and imagineNATIVE for giving me the opportunity to tell this story. It’s a film that’s really close to my heart, and my team and I are extremely excited to head into production and bring it to life!”
—Tim Myles
Tim Myles is an Indigenous actor and filmmaker from Newfoundland, but is now living and working in Toronto. He began his career directing multiple music videos for artists such as Banners, Tilsen, Indigenous rock group Crownlands, and Métis pop artist Indigo. He has worked with Universal Music and Island Records, and his music video for Indigo’s The Light premiered at the 2019 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival. Tim’s most recent project was a music video for Crowndlands, titled End of the Road, and was a tribute to the missing and murdered Indigenous women on the Highway of Tears. He appeared on the docuseries Going Native, about being a young, two spirit actor and filmmaker, which will appear on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) later this fall. Tim was just awarded the 2020 imagineNATIVE + LIFT Mentorship Grant to develop his debut short film, Little Bird. He is excited to bring this team of creatives together to tell this story that not only features an Indigenous cast, but is based in part upon his own experience of losing his mother in 2014.
Previous year’s mentees include actor and choreographer Michael Greyeyes (Seven Seconds); Dora and Juno Award nominee Jani Lauzon (eu•tha•na•sia); Michelle Latimer (Tomorrow); Tyler Hagan (Estuary), Adrienne Marcus Raja (Soli), Jaene Castrillon (Celebration of Darkness), Jamie Whitecrow (Heidi Lost), Samay Arcentales Cajas (In Moment), Natasha Naveau (Menaptwi (Smoked)) and Cole Forrest (Into Water). Tim will premiere his new short at the 20th annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, October 20-25, 2020.
On behalf of the Selection Committee, thank you to all of this year’s incredible applicants! To find out more about this annual mentorship, and other artistic opportunities available through imagineNATIVE, please contact Institute Coordinator Adriana Chartrand at achartrand@imaginenative.org
Follow this program on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: #LIFTiNMentorship
-30-
About the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT)
The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is Canada’s foremost artist-run production and education organization dedicated to celebrating excellence in the moving image. LIFT exists to provide support and encouragement for independent filmmakers and artists through affordable access to production, post-production and exhibition equipment; professional and creative development; workshops and courses; commissioning and exhibitions; artist-residencies; and a variety of other services. LIFT is supported by its membership, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Arts Foundation, the Government of Ontario and the Toronto Arts Council. https://lift.ca
About the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is the largest international festival of its kind that celebrates the latest works by Indigenous peoples on the forefront of innovation in film, video, radio and new media. The imagineNATIVE Institute, a department within the organization, also runs year-round professional development opportunities for Indigenous screen creatives, and hosts a series of industry relevant talks each Spring. Each fall, the Festival presents a selection of the most compelling and distinctive Indigenous works from around the globe. The festival’s screenings, parties, panel discussions, and cultural events attract and connect filmmakers, media artists, programmers, buyers, and industry professionals. The works accepted reflect the diversity of the world’s Indigenous nations and illustrate the vitality and excellence of our art and culture in contemporary media. This year’s festival runs October 20-25, 2020. https://imaginenative.org
About Netflix
Netflix is the world’s leading internet entertainment service with over 148 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments. https://www.netflix.com
Tuesday 16 June 2020 –
Non-members:
Members:
Location:
Liaison of Independent Fimmakers of Toronto (LIFT)
1137 Dupont Street
Toronto ON Canada