WINNIPEG, December 1, 2024 – Canada’s Supporting Women in Film Trades (SWIFT) third annual sold-out conference wrapped on December 1 with Manitoba-based cinematographer and film industry veteran Shauna Townley selected as the 2024 recipient of Canada’s SWIFT award.
The SWIFT Award was created by Film Training Manitoba (FTM)’s Board of Directors to recognize long-serving leaders in Manitoba’s film community who champion the spirit of SWIFT.
The honour was presented by nationally renowned costume designer Heather Neale and FTM’s SWIFT Manager Allison Bile. Neale had been the previous winner in 2023 with Manitoba Producer and Production Manager Ellen Rutter winning in 2022.
“Shauna Townley is an outstanding film professional who has developed an excellent reputation as a talented and dedicated leader in our industry.” Said Allison Bile.
Shauna Townley is a Camera Operator, Stills Photographer and Cinematographer working on feature films, documentaries, and television series with over 20 years of experience in Manitoba.
Townley has undertaken numerous training programs including programming with Film Training Manitoba and was selected for the REEL Careers Profile Series. Townley has volunteered at the Winnipeg Film Group, studied film theory at the University of Manitoba and cinematography and lighting at Vancouver Film School. She has been fortunate to work on several recent Manitoba film productions such as Burden of Truth, I Knew My Murderer, Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story, and Somebody’s Someone: The Regina Louise Story.
During her acceptance, Townley thanked and noted the growth and development of Manitoba and Canada’s film industry during her years working within the film industry.
The SWIFT Conference took place at Red River College Polytechnic’s Manitou a bi Bii Daziigae building and it is for women-identifying workers within the film and media industry to grow their workplace skills and advance in jobs and careers. SWIFT welcomed crew members, filmmakers, performers and anyone interested in film and media. All the events panels and training sessions were designed to support improving the workplace culture to retain and attract more women-identifying workers within the film and media industry. The event featured ten standalone learning sessions including the final keynote address from actor and producer Tina Keeper.
Select sponsors and funders of SWIFT include the Province of Manitoba’s Economic Development, Investment and Trade and Natural Resources, the Royal Bank of Canada, IATSE 856, Women and Gender Equity Manitoba, Warner Brothers Discovery Access Canada, Red River College Polytechnic, Manitoba Construction Sector Council, The Directors Guild of Canada-Manitoba District Council, On Screen Manitoba, Buffalo Gal Pictures, Kistikan Pictures, ACTRA Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro, Shippam, Sunbelt Rental Company, The Canadian Society of Cinematographers, HUB Insurance, Original Pictures, Manitoba Film and Music, De Luca’s Specialty Coffee, and Gimli International Film Festival.
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.
For further information please contact:
Jenna Paterson-Coutts
Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Film Training Manitoba
204 – 245 McDermot Ave
jenna@filmtraining.mb.ca
204-989-9669 Ext.3