BY BILL BRADLEY
Music and Film in Motion will be celebrating with the finest music and film artists in Northern Ontario next September in Sudbury at their annual film awards ceremony. First though, they are asking for submissions of their best recent work.
?With the launch of this year?s program, we look forward to receiving high quality submissions that represent the vast talent of Northern Ontario?s music and film industries,? said Denis Landry, executive director.
?This year?s program will again turn the spotlight on our home-grown industry professionals and businesses and will allow them to earn distinction in their fields,? he said.
Music and Film in Motion has been organizing the awards event for four years.
?I?m excited to see what comes in. Last year we got 10 percent more submissions so I am hoping we get a lot of original work this year.?
The Film Award categories for 2006 are Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Screenplay. Music Award categories include Best Album, Best Songwriter and Best Engineer.
To be eligible, submissions must have been released during the period Feb.1, 2005 to May 16, 2006.
Eligible artists must have been born in Northern Ontario; been a resident for five consecutive years; or have lived continuously during the release period.
The deadline for nominations is May 15, and the submission fee is $5 per entry for MFM members. or $15 for non-members.
The music and film industry in Sudbury and the north is growing said Landry.
?We have a number of major recording studios in Sudbury with a half dozen smaller operations. They tell us they are set to expand. We also have some great engineers such as Kevin Whyte of MusicWorks on Bouchard St. and Shawn Pitzel of Mission Studios on Melvin St.?
Landry said there is a need to document the rise of the music and film businesses.
?We are looking at compiling statistics on the full economic impact of this sector, but I can say recently seven films have been shot in northeastern Ontario including Barstool Words shot by Toronto filmmakers at May?s Tavern last fall, and Minds Tolerance, a modestly budgeted film shot in town by Corey Ceccarelli. We also have an increasing number of musicians on the scene, turning out CDs and making appearances outside of the north, ? he
said.
