NOMFA PRESENTS IT’S TOP CONTENDERS FOR 2019 IN FILM

The Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards are back in full force for their biennial celebration of the north’s cultural contribution to the arts! We have an amazing and largely unrecognized community of creators in our area and NOMFA aims to shed light on their hard work and dedication. In addition to the awards ceremony, NOMFA will also play host to a number of showcases, panels and workshops. Connecting and empowering members of all parts of northern Ontario’s media and art sectors.

You can get in on the action May 23^rd – 25^th with several chances to check out music and film showcases at the McEwan School of Architecture, La Fromagerie, and Little Montreal. The official NOFMA Awards Ceremony will be held at Science North May 25^th starting at 8pm. If you’re up for more celebrating head to the Townehouse Tavern for the official after-party featuring Sudbury hip-hop artist Silvertongue and NOMFA nominated TESSA! Tickets are available now, $10 per showcase/panel or $75 for the whole gamut. Head to the NOMFA landing page for more info and read on to learn more about the contenders in the film categories.

FALLS AROUND HER

Directed by Darlene Naponse – Atikameksheng Anishnawbek

Baswewe Films / The Film Farm, 2018 | Cast: Tantoo Cardinal, Rob Stewart, Tina Keeper, Johnny Issaluk, Gail Maurice

Tantoo Cardinal shines as a world-famous Anishinaabe musician who returns to the reserve to rest and recharge — only to discover that fame (and the outside world) are not easily left behind, in writer-director Darlene Naponse’s riveting portrait of resilience set among a northern First Nation.

Nominated in the following categories:

Outstanding Feature Film

Outstanding Screenwriter – Darlene Naponse

Outstanding Director – Darlene Naponse

GIANT LITTLE ONES

Directed by Keith Behrman – Sault Ste. Marie

Mongrel Media, 2018 | Cast: Maria Bello, Kyle MacLachlan, Taylor Hickson, Peter Outerbridge, Josh Wiggins, Darren Mann

Franky Winter (Wiggins) and Ballas Kohl (Mann) have been best friends since childhood. They are high school royalty: handsome, stars of the swim team and popular with girls. They live a perfect teenage life – until the night of Franky’s epic 17th birthday party, when Franky and Ballas are involved in an unexpected incident that changes their lives forever. Giant Little Ones is a heartfelt and intimate comingof-age story about friendship, self-discovery and the power of love without labels.

Nominated in the following categories:

Outstanding Feature Film

Outstanding Performance By An Actor In A Northern Ontario Production

• Josh Wiggins – Giant Little Ones

INDIAN HORSE

Directed by Stephen S. Campanelli – Greater Sudbury

Elevation Pictures, 2017 | Cast: Sladen Peltier, Forrest Goodluck, Ajuawak Kapashesit, Edna Manitowabi, Michael Murphy, Michiel Huisman

An adaptation of Ojibway writer Richard Wagamese’s award-winning novel of the same name, this moving and important drama sheds light on the dark history of Canada’s Indigenous Residential Schools and the indomitable spirit of aboriginal people.

Nominated In The Following Categories:

Outstanding Feature Film

The New Romantic

Directed by Carly Stone – Greater Sudbury

Elevation Pictures, 2018|Cast: Jessica Barden, Hayley Law, Brett Dier, Vinnie Bennett, Alexandre Bourgeois

Blake Conway (Barden), an aspiring journalist, hopeless romantic and college senior, is terrified of graduating. In order to escape her looming post-graduation fate, which includes student debt and zero romantic prospects, she becomes a sugar baby. As she documents the adventure in the hope of winning a journalism award with a generous cash prize, she sets out on a quest to figure out if society is right to judge these women and if her own self-worth comes with a price.

Nominated In The Following Categories:

Outstanding Feature Film

Outstanding Performance By An Actor In A Northern Ontario Production

• Brett Dier – The New Romantic

• Hayley Law – The New Romantic

• Jessica Barden – The New Romantic

THROUGH BLACK SPRUCE

Directed by Don McKellar – Moosonee

D Films, 2018 | Cast: Tanaya Beatty, Graham Greene, Kiowa Gordon, Brandon Oakes, Tantoo Cardinal

The disappearance of a young Cree woman named Suzanne Bird triggers events in two worlds: the remote Northern Ontario town she fled years ago, and the big city where she became a successful model. Through Black Spruce is the story of a family fractured by tragedy, and held together by love. Through Black Spruce was filmed in Moosonee.

Nominated In The Following Categories:

Outstanding Feature Film

Outstanding Performance By An Actor In A Northern Ontario Production

• Brandon Oakes – Through Black Spruce

• Tantoo Cardinal – Through Black Spruce

OUTSTANDING SHORT/MID-LENGTH FILM

Bonsai Dream – Directed by Jimmie Chiverelli – Sault Ste. Marie

Future Sick – Directed by Aaron Martini – North Bay

The Last Wish – Directed by Vladimir Sokolskyy – Sault Ste. Marie

The Philanthropist – Directed by Jayson Stewart – Massey

Post-Script – Directed by Eric Robillard – North Bay

OUTSTANDING SCREENWRITER

Erin Pitkethly – As The Crow Flies – North Bay

Jayson Stewart – The Philanthropist – Massey

Lee Chambers & Kris Ketonen – Norbert and the Gnomes – Thunder Bay

Lee Chambers & Nick Murphy – Slade – Thunder Bay

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR

Aaron Martini – Daze of Dreams– North Bay

Aaron Martini – Future Sick – North Bay

Eric Robillard – Post-Script – North Bay

Michelle Derosier – Angelique’s Isle – Thunder Bay

OUTSTANDING TELEVISION OR VOD SERIES

Amelie et compangnie – TFO – Greater Sudbury

Bad Blood Season 2 – City TV – Greater Sudbury

Cardinal Season 1 – CTV – Greater Sudbury & North Bay

Cardinal Season 2 – CTV – North Bay

Letterkenny Season 3 – Crave – Greater Sudbury

You can get in on the action May 23^rd – 25^th with several chances to check out music and film showcases at the McEwan School of Architecture, La Fromagerie, and Little Montreal. The official NOFMA Awards Ceremony will be held at Science North May 25^th starting at 8pm. Tickets are available now, $10 per showcase/panel or $75 for the whole gamut. Head to the NOMFA landing page for more info.