WINNIPEG, July 28, 2024 – At the 2024 Gimli International Film Festival, Film Training Manitoba (FTM)’s Executive Director Adam Smoluk announced a special session on jobs and careers for Ukrainian newcomers looking to learn more about pathways into the film industry. This session is presented by FTM in partnership with FRANK Digital and The Ukrainian Congress of Canada.
“The Ukrainian Congress of Canada and FRANK Digital are excellent partners, and it’s an immense honour for Film Training Manitoba to partner with them to support newcomers on their journey.” Said Adam Smoluk, whose family members immigrated from near Lviv, Ukraine, in the 19th century.
A news report from the CBC in March of 2024 cited “that more than 960,000 Ukrainians were approved to come to Canada through the emergency visa program, according to the federal government. The Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel program offers an expedited process for Ukrainians to live and work in Canada for up to three years. The program has seen tens of thousands of immigrants who are fleeing war come to Manitoba over the past few years.”
To support members of the Ukrainian community, this first-of-its-kind session will feature a joint panel with five people of Ukrainian descent who will share their personal experiences of entering and advancing in Manitoba’s film industry. The Ukrainian Congress of Canada will provide an introduction and advice about further resources.
“FTM’s cutting-edge partnerships have been a driving force in building Manitoba’s film community. It’s highly responsive to have panellists speak about jobs and careers and share their lived experiences while connecting with their community,” said film industry veteran Aaron Graham.
Panellists will include The Vice President of FRANK Digital, Libby Lea; the Owner of Precursor Productions, Andrew Yankiwski; FRANK Digital’s Cinematographer, Jack Mykhailov; and ACTRA Manitoba’s Branch Representative, Rea Kavanagh. The session will be moderated by Adam Smoluk.
“Manitoba has a long history of being a refuge for people from around the world, and FRANK Digital is an enthusiastic partner of this important session to our growing industry.” Said Libby Lea. The panel session will be followed by a mixer with light refreshments sponsored by FRANK Digital.
The session is taking place at FTM’s training space on September 12 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.
FTM’s Adam Smoluk will be available for media inquiries.
Register here to attend this session:
About Film Training Manitoba:
Film Training Manitoba (FTM) is 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. FTM is a member of the Province of Manitoba’s Sector Council program through the Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources.
About FRANK Digital:
FRANK Digital is a full-service production company, including a post-production facility as well as a production equipment company. We have editors, colourists and audio engineers on staff to offer creative and technical expertise on every project we produce. We operate as four divisions: a production house, a post house, a gear rental division, and an animation house.
About the Ukrainian Congress of Canada:
We are an anchor of the Ukrainian Community in Manitoba, we help to diverse modern Canada with Ukrainian culture. Manitoba Provincial Council is a comprehensive dynamic organization that serves to preserve, create, and share its Ukrainian Canadian character, culture, and aspirations.
For more information, please contact FTM’s Communications Coordinator, Jenna Paterson-Coutts: