FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 20, 2024 — The Independent Production Fund (IPF) is thrilled to announce the participants joining the inaugural IPF Pre-Application Training Program for Northern Producers. This groundbreaking initiative aims to provide northern-based producers with training and support to create a competitive series development funding application.

The program will include workshops and personalized mentorship from industry experts across Canada. The participants, representing Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon, will receive crucial training and support and gain a deeper understanding of the materials needed for funding applications.

Based on their potential for securing funding for their project, as well as their previous experience and demonstrated commitment to advancing their skills and contributing to the northern screen sector, the following candidates have been selected:

Brendan Preston Whitehorse Yukon	Born and raised in the Yukon, Brendan is an alumnus of Mt. Allison University (2007) and Vancouver Film School (2010). With over 15 years of film industry experience, he is considered amongst the most experienced filmmakers in the territory and is now focused on producing original content. He recently launched Laser Wolf Films Inc. (an Indigenous-owned film company) with local filmmaker Douglas Joe of the White River First Nation. Laser Wolf Films aims to tell authentic and impactful stories in the North. Their first short film “Datrin” won multiple Best Film Awards across the Yukon and was accepted to compete on CBC Short Film Face-Off (2024). Brendan teaches video at Yukon University, to encourage the new generation of filmmakers.
Emily Sheff Whitehorse Yukon	Emily’s passion for visual storytelling began in high school, where she was the assembly video editor, made a documentary titled “Canadian Experience,” and completed a youth film course at Queen’s University. Emily went on to work in marketing, producing segments for Entertainment Tonight and managing multi-million dollar campaigns and partnerships, while also maintaining a creative side profession, starting as a concert photographer for Fazer before launching a commercial and lifestyle photography business, and having her work published in numerous outlets including the Globe and Mail and Overland Journal. Since transitioning to film, Emily was the cinematographer on the 2024 Hot Docs Festival audience choice award-winning film “Fire Tower,” and currently works as Assistant Producer on Discovery Channel’s top-rated reality show “Gold Rush.”
Jeremy Emerson Yellowknife Northwest Territories	In 2017, Jeremy produced the feature film, “Elijah and the Rock Creature,” crowdfunded and shot in the NWT and distributed around the world. In 2018 he produced and directed the mid-length documentary, “Summer of Smoke,” which explored the impacts of low air quality due to wildfires. In 2020, Jeremy produced the “Trapper Radio” series. A 5-part film series showcasing 20+ NWT artists sharing stories and music about the north while chatting through old radios. Jeremy has been a producer on the reality show “Sh*t I Found Diving in Yellowknife” for the last 6 years. The show follows Jeremy MacDonald as he recovers lost items with his team of adventurous scuba divers.
Kelly Milner Whitehorse Yukon	Kelly Milner is the founder of Shot in the Dark. She was raised by wolves in the Yukon, then cut her professional teeth working across the North as a journalist before getting drawn into the world of First Nations land claims and wildlife co-management. After spending almost two decades in the wilderness of briefing notes and community consultations, she decided to get back to her storytelling roots, establishing Shot in the Dark in 2014. Telling stories that matter is what drives her. She is now a producer, director and writer and her films have won numerous national and international awards. Her knowledge of the North and its communities has also helped her forge connections with clients to create impactful projects.
Melissa Tillumaluk Irwin Rankin Inlet Nunavut	Melissa Tillumaluk Irwin is originally from Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut. Her career background includes television, radio, and print media, harvesters support, grassroots in employment and training, advancing Inuit priorities with both regional and national Inuit organizations, and is a former educator with Nunavut Sivuniksavut. Now living in Rankin Inlet to be closer to a growing family, Melissa is the newest addition to the Red Marrow team, and is ecstatic to get back to her first career passion in television and film. During her time at Inuit Broadcasting Corporation, Melissa produced many Inuit language segments for Inuit programming for youth, elders, and children. She also worked as a production trainee on the documentary “Amarok’s Song: Journey to Nunavut” and as a crew member on “The Snow Walker” feature film.
Sadetło Scott Yellowknife Northwest Territories	Based in Yellowknife, NT, Sadetło Scott is a Tłı̨chǫ producer, director, writer. She completed Certificates in Motion Picture Production and Cinematography through Capilano University, a Certificate in Heritage and Culture from Yukon University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Governance at Yukon University.
Simeonie Kisa-Knickelbein Iqaluit Nunavut	Simeonie Kisa-Knickelbein is a dedicated Inuk filmmaker renowned for capturing Arctic stories with authenticity. He worked as a camera operator for “Qanurli” Season 6 and “Anaana’s Tent” Seasons 3 & 4, showcasing his technical prowess and visual storytelling skills. Simeonie served as third assistant director on “Slash/Back” and first assistant director on the short films “Reclaim and Qauppat,” where his leadership ensured seamless productions. Additionally, he expanded his expertise as a producer mentee and second assistant director on “North of North.” Committed to representing Inuit culture and perspectives, Simeonie continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Indigenous filmmakers.

“The Yukon’s screen sector is growing and critical to this growth is filmmakers being equipped to secure project capital. The Government of Yukon is pleased to support this initiative along with our northern partners, and I’m glad to see three Yukon projects selected. I want to thank the Independent Production Fund for running this program to assist producers and writers across the North.” – Ranj Pillai, Yukon Premier and Minister of Economic Development

“This initiative is a major step towards building a strong economic foundation in the NWT’s fast growing film sector. Through collaboration with our neighboring northern jurisdictions, this program promotes the development of northern content creators and strengthens the overall voice of Canada’s North. I am incredibly proud to see two filmmakers representing the NWT amongst this cohort of talented individuals.” – Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Government of the Northwest Territories

“Congratulations to Melissa Tillumaluk Irwin and Simeonie Kisa-Knickelbein for being selected to the inaugural cohort of this meaningful training program. I am excited for these Inuit filmmakers to grow their skills and enhance their contributions to our territory’s media industry. I look forward to more collaborations with our partners in the Yukon and Northwest Territories to put the North’s film industry on the national and global map.” – Honourable David Akeeagok, Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Government of Nunavut.

The program will start on September 3 and consist of 13 weeks of online workshop sessions and mentorship. All material developed during the training course will be revised and finalized by early 2025 in preparation for the submission deadline to the IPF Short Form Series Development Program on March 1, 2025.

For more information about the IPF Pre-Application Training Program for Northern Producers and to learn about future application opportunities, please visit the Whistler Film Festival website.