MONTREAL – Quebecor and the Institut national de l’image et du son (INIS) today announced the creation of the "Quebec Bursaries for Cultural Diversity" for aspiring screenwriters who are Aboriginals or members of a visible minority.
The bursaries, of a total value of $20,000, will allow three screenwriters a year to undertake professional training at the INIS, including the interactive media program and additional courses in traditional writing, says the press release. The financial aid includes tuition, preparatory courses and traditional screenwriting courses. The deadline for submitting an application file is September 7, 2006. The training lasts five months and begins October 2.
Given the increasing variety of means of distribution (cell phones, the Internet, podcasting, etc.), today’s web authors, screenwriters and people who generate ideas must make sure that their content can be adapted to different media from the beginning of the creative process, explains the release.
According to Michel G. Desjardins, director general of the INIS, "A redefinition of screenwriting is currently taking place where users/spectators/listeners will be able to interact with the content through the different means of distribution they choose at any given time. The Quebecor Bursaries for Cultural Diversity will concretely respond to the needs of the milieu by offering intensive training that is specifically tailored to this reality," he said.
"Through its media properties Quebecor is at the heart of a major shift toward multimedia that is taking place around the world," said Pierre Karl Peladeau, president and CEO of Quebecor. "The (bursaries) not only encourage contributions from cultural communities to Quebec’s cultural heritage, but also allows these aspiring screenwriters and professionals who are updating their skills to master a form of writing that is increasingly in demand in TV and new media. It also provides Aboriginals and members of visible minorities access to interesting positions in TV and multimedia."
For more information on applying and to obtain a registration form, contact INIS at (514) 284-1840, ext. 224 or consult the web site at www.inis.qc.ca. Training is provided in French only.
