July 23, 2022, Gimli, MB – Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF), RBC, and On Screen Manitoba are pleased to announce Rachel Beaulieu as the winner of the 11th annual RBC $10,000 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition.
After pitching her film idea, Marie, to a live audience and jury, Beaulieu was awarded $10,000 in production funds through RBC Emerging Artists, mentorship sponsored by the National Screen Institute – Canada, a $5,000 Equipment Rental Grant Certificate courtesy of William F. White International, a $500 general credit from Winnipeg Film Group, and a premiere screening of her film Marie at GIFF 2023.
“I’m so proud to have participated in today’s RBC $10,000 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition. My goal to become a director is coming to fruition,” says Beaulieu. “I’m so grateful that everyone resonated with my film and believed in my film pitch. Marie will allow me to share a piece of myself with you all. Miigwetch to my family, ancestors, and friends for bringing out thevbest in me.”
Photos by Douglas Little Photography
Marie follows the story of a devoted grandson’s fluke opportunity to take his Mémère on a trip down memory lane.
Beaulieu says her film makes reference to memory loss, isolation, and the important relationships between youth and their elders in First Nations communities.
“We once again experienced firsthand what happens when ingenuity, storytelling, and opportunity collide on the stage at this year’s RBC $10,000 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition,” says Terry Burgess, RBC Regional Vice President. “Through spirited language and a spark of creativity, each of the finalists delighted us all with their unique vision and exuberance. We are so delighted to congratulate Rachel Beaulieu, this year’s pitch contest winner, for embodying what is at the heart of an RBC Emerging Artist. We are equally thrilled to take this journey with Rachel as she takes a captivating idea and brings it to life on the screen in the year ahead.”
“The winner of this contest, Rachel, is in for an exciting, educational, and rewarding journey. Having a budget this size for a short film allows you to make something at a professional standard but also comes with the challenges of coordinating more moving parts,” says GIFF Executive Director Alan Wong. “Luckily, with the support of her mentor from the National Screen Institute – Canada, the in-kind services from both William F. White International and Winnipeg Film Group, and of course, the $10K from RBC, Rachel will have the tools to overcome those obstacles, and I do not doubt that she will make a great film. We have something great to look forward to already for next year!
“Congratulations to Rachel on winning this year’s edition of the RBC $10,000 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition. I can’t wait to see her story come to life on the big screen next year at the Gimli International Film Festival,” says On Screen Manitoba Executive Director Cali Ramsey. “We saw five talented and passionate emerging filmmakers share their hearts and their stories this morning. The future of storytelling is bright in Manitoba and we look forward to supporting all of these creators as they continue their careers.”
Every year, the RBC $10,000 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition sees five emerging filmmakers pitch their short film ideas to a live audience and a jury of industry professionals.
2022 Finalists:
1. Rachel Beaulieu – Marie
2. Daphne Finlayson – FanAddict
3. Joseph Fourre – The Dress
4. Coby Friesen – Something Quite Queer
5. Stuart Matheson – North Star
The jury gives each finalist three minutes to describe their story idea, justify their budget, describe their ideal cast and crew, and talk about their overall vision for the project.
During the jury deliberation, GIFF screened the premiere of Stay by Elena Sturk Lussier, the 2021 winner of the Pitch Competition. The short film is a 12-minute drama about a 17-year-old boy who’s trying to do the right thing by assuming responsibility for his pregnant girlfriend, but he feels pulled in two directions: staying or leaving.
Gimli International Film Festival and On Screen Manitoba would like to thank RBC, the National Screen Institute – Canada, William F. White International and the Winnipeg Film Group for the generous prizes they provided for the winner.
GIFF would also like to thank the master of ceremonies and Executive Director of On Screen Manitoba, Cali Ramsey; our pre-selection jurors: Joanne Roberts, Mary Galloway, and Aaron Zeghers; and our competition jurors: Nettie Wild, Pascal Boutroy, and Elise Swerhone.
RBC Emerging Artists helps artists bridge the gap from emerging to established and supports organizations that provide the best opportunities to advance artists’ careers. RBC Emerging Artists supports arts organizations and artists in a range of genres including visual art, music, theatre, performance, literature, and film.
Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF) is Manitoba’s premier film festival and the largest rural film festival in all of Canada. Since 2001, GIFF has welcomed thousands to the shores of Lake Winnipeg for its various film screenings of local, national, and international feature films, documentaries, short films, and media art. The festival’s premier event, the Beach Screenings, which take place every night of the five-day festival, have drawn people from all over the world to take in one of Manitoba’s most unique summer experiences.
On Screen Manitoba is a non-profit, member-driven provincial industry association that leads, builds and represents the media production industry. We represent an industry that employs over 2000 skilled, creative Manitobans, and our members include producers, writers, directors, filmmakers, industry professionals, labour organizations, production companies, service suppliers, training organizations, film festivals and other stakeholders. We work collaboratively to improve working conditions, support workforce development, attract new workers and celebrate the accomplishments of our members.
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For more information please contact:
Gimli International Film Festival
Alan Wong
Executive Director
festival.director@gimlifilm.com
On Screen Manitoba
Robyn Hasselstrom
Industry Services and Communications Coordinator
robyn@onscreenmanitoba.com
