new film industry training session at the Carol Shields Auditorium
WINNIPEG, October 1, 2024 – Film Training Manitoba (FTM) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the American Film Institute (AFI). This first-of-its-kind international partnership is for editing and post-production training for Manitoba’s film industry.
The two organizations met recently in June 2024 which has resulted in a unique session which will be held on October 18, 2024 and will be led by the AFI Conservatory’s Robert Ivison, the Discipline Head for Editing program.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Ivison has worked as a film editor in Los Angeles since 1994. He began his career cutting commercials and music videos, working with U2, Whitney Houston, The Wallflowers, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, Santana and many others. His feature film credits include STANDER, WALKING TALL, TAKE THE LEAD and TRICK ‘R TREAT, and his television credits include SUITS, MAD DOGS, THE LAST TYCOON and THE ROOKIE.
“Film Training Manitoba is honoured to partner with AFI, which is known as a highly respected and innovative film learning institution.” Said Film Training Manitoba’s Executive Director Adam Smoluk. “It’s an immense honour to jointly offer this special session for Manitobans; the team at AFI has been phenomenal to work with.” He added.
The AFI is a non-profit organization with a mandate to champion the moving image as an art form. Established in 1967, AFI launched the first comprehensive history of American film and sparked the movement for film preservation in the United States. In 1969, AFI opened the doors of the AFI Conservatory, a graduate-level program to train narrative filmmakers. The Conservatory, which counts Deniese Davis, Affonso Gonçalves, Susannah Grant, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas and Rachel Morrison as Alumni, is one of the top film schools.
AFI’s enduring traditions include the AFI Life Achievement Award, which honours the masters for work that has stood the test of time; AFI AWARDS, which celebrates the creative ensembles of the most outstanding screen stories of the year; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive that preserve film history for future generations. AFI exhibition programs include AFI FEST and a year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Maryland.
Other pioneering programs include workshops aimed at increasing diversity in the storytelling community, including the AFI DWW+ and the AFI Cinematography Intensive for Women. As a non-profit educational organization, AFI relies on the generous financial support from film enthusiasts like you to provide funding for its programs and initiatives.
AFI’s Board of Directors and Trustees includes Kathleen Kennedy (Lucasfilm Ltd.), Steven Spielberg (Amblin Partners), and Halle Berry.
About the AFI:
The American Film Institute champions the future of the moving image as an art form. We believe in the revolutionary power of visual storytelling to share diverse perspectives, inspire empathy and drive culture forward. The American Film Institute is dedicated to celebrating excellence in the art form and to creating national education initiatives that inspire artists and audiences alike.
About Film Training Manitoba:
Film Training Manitoba (FTM) is a non-for-profit charity and our goal is to develop a highly skilled and adaptable workforce to support the activities of Manitoba’s film industry. FTM partners with Manitoba’s secondary and post-secondary schools, Manitoba film festivals, unions, production companies, associations, and a wide collection of industry stakeholders. FTM collaborates with members of the film industry to identify the training needs within the community. With this information we offer practical, skill-based training that is targeted where labour gaps occur.
Film Training Manitoba’s Executive Director Adam Smoluk will be available for in-person and remote interviews.
For further information or to book an interview, contact:
Jenna Paterson-Coutts
Communications and Outreach Coordinator
204 – 245 McDermot Ave
jenna@filmtraining.mb.ca
204-989-9669 Ext.3