More on the Kodak New Vision Mentorship

Toronto, ON – Women in Film & Television – Toronto is pleased to announce emerging director and writer Ana Valine as winner of the 2011 Kodak New Vision Mentorship.

Through the program, Valine meets one-on-one with Laurie May, Executive Vice President of Alliance Films Inc., and with internationally-acclaimed director Deepa Mehta to guide the business and creative development of her first feature film, Sitting on the Edge of Marlene.

“The Kodak New Vision Mentorship allows WIFT-T to support emerging Canadian female directors and play a role in their ongoing success,” says Heather Webb, WIFT-T Executive Director. “On behalf of WIFT-T, I would like to thank Kodak Canada for their leadership in providing the next generation with hands-on experience.”

Currently, Valine is working with May on a business and development plan and is preparing for meetings with key industry connections. In early 2012, she will meet with Mehta to receive creative feedback on her script.

“I see mentorship as a mutually beneficial relationship,” says Mehta. “To have the opportunity to mentor an emerging filmmaker is as much about reinvigorating myself with the original, unweary imagination of a young filmmaker as it is about exposing them to the way a more experienced filmmaker works and handles creative decisions.”

A graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Director’s Lab, Valine has written, directed and produced fiction, experimental and documentary short films, including her award-winning directorial debut alice & bastard.

Most recently, she directed the award-winning How Eunice Got Her Baby through the CFC Short Dramatic Film Program. She lives alternately in Vancouver and Toronto.

Now in its seventh year, the Kodak New Vision Mentorship is a competitive program providing an emerging Canadian female director with the opportunity to attend the Toronto International Film Festival and receive business and creative coaching from established industry professionals.

“Our continued partnership with WIFT-T, and the ongoing success of the Kodak New Vision Mentorship, allows us to offer support to talented Canadian directors,” says Rhonda Lockwood, Kodak Canada Entertainment Imaging Account Manager.

“Having the support and expertise of industry professionals such as Laurie May, Executive VP of Alliance Films Inc., and award-winning Director and Screenwriter Deepa Mehta to foster the vision of an emerging female filmmaker emphasizes the importance of the Kodak New Vision Mentorship,” Lockwood adds.

As the 2011 winner, Valine also receives a $5,000 credit for the purchase of Kodak Motion Picture film stock and will be acknowledged at the Crystal Awards Gala Luncheon on December 5^th in Toronto.

For more information, please visit wift.com.

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For media inquiries and accreditation at the 2011 Crystal Awards, please contact:
Katy Swailes
WIFT-T Communications Officer
416-322-3430 ext. 226
kswailes@wift.com