Government of Yukon

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FOR RELEASE     #05-208
August 9, 2005

Filmmakers Funding Awarded To Five Yukon Projects

WHITEHORSE - The Film & Sound Commission has awarded a total of $15,000 to five Yukon productions, including three film scripts, through the Yukon Filmmakers Fund.

"It is inspiring to see local filmmakers creating and helping develop a robust Yukon film industry," Economic Development Minister Jim Kenyon said. "We expect these five productions to generate approximately $86,000 in local economic activity."

Whitehorse writer Patti Flather received funding for Kiss That Alaska Highway Before I Die, a screenplay depicting the fictional story of an African-American soldier who returns to the Alaska Highway he helped build, only to be reunited with a son he never knew he had.

"I'm really optimistic and I think this funding is really going to help us," Flather said. "It's a great project, a touching and unique story, and I'm very hopeful that we can get broadcasters interested in supporting it."

Projects and filmmakers funded this term include:

- Kiss That Alaska Highway Before I Die - Patti Flather - to secure broadcasters to develop a television movie set in the Yukon.

- Borderlands - Richard Lawrence - to develop a script

- Winter Stories - Troy Suzuki - to develop and produce a series of vignettes

- The Colourful 2% - Arthur Mercredi - to develop a script

- Frolf - Andrew Whittaker - to produce a trailer for his comedic, sports "mockumentary"

Projects are reviewed by a jury of film, video, broadcast and other cultural industry professionals, using established criteria focused on films that demonstrate a likelihood of success.

The Yukon Filmmakers Fund was designed to promote the local film industry and is one of the Yukon Film Incentive Programs. Application deadlines are December 1 and June 1 of each year. Learn more by visiting the Yukon Film & Sound Commission website at http://www.reelyukon.com/ or by phoning (867) 667-5400.

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 Contact:  
   
 Peter Carr   Barbara McLeod
 Cabinet Communications Advisor  Communications Officer
 Government of Yukon  Department of Economic Development
 (867) 667-8688  (867) 456-3913
 peter.carr@gov.yk.ca  barbara.mcleod@gov.yk.ca