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Nelson MacDonald & Jeff Wheaton win 902 Post Joy Award

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The Linda Joy Media Arts Society is pleased to announce the winner of the 2014 902 Post Joy Award. The LJMAS extends heartfelt congratulations to Nelson and Jeff.

Winner: Nelson MacDonald & Jeff Wheaton
For: Safe
Award partner: 902 Post Inc. ($10,000).

Safe is an unconventional documentary film, a poetic essay that reflects on the tens of thousands of surveillance cameras in Halifax and by association, the larger question of surveillance and privacy in our society.
Halifax is tirelessly observed by security cameras which gaze at us from grocery store aisles to secure naval facilities. Some however watch from odd vantages in trees and kiddie-themed boat rides. These electronic watchers unblinkingly watch hour after hour of, mostly, nothing happening. Theirs is an absurdist perspective, unintentionally ridiculous to the point of comedy.
Safe takes a look at the lookers and the both ominous and equally funny nature of their existence.

Nelson MacDonald is one of Atlantic Canada’s top emerging film producers. His credits include producing the award winning short film Rhonda’s Party, which premiered at the Montreal World Film Festival, won CBC’s Short Film Faceoff, and was named one of the Toronto International Film Festivals Top Ten Canadian Short Films. In 2012 Nelson produced the short film When You Sleep and associate produced the feature film Blackbird. Both films opened at TIFF. His latest short film Stray is now on the festival circuit with screenings at Montrealʼs Festival du Nouveau Cinema and Atlantic Film Festival.

Jeff Wheaton is a prolific cinematographer and emerging director based in Halifax. His work on short films and music videos for directors including Jason Eisener and Cory Bowles has earned screenings at dozens of festivals including Sundance and TIFF. In 2012, Jeff was awarded Best Cinematography at the Atlantic Film Festival for his work on Sol Naglerʼs experimental feature Gravity and Grace. Most recently Jeff was the 2013 Filmmaker in Residence at the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative where he created the experimental short film Hive, which the Chronicle-Herald described as “delving into the mythology of bees, the history of bees and beekeeping, and a look at where bees are now.”

 

Leah Johnston wins Joy Award 2014

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The Linda Joy Media Arts Society is pleased to announce the winner of the 2014 Joy Award. The LJMAS extends heartfelt congratulations to Leah Johnston.

Winner: Leah Johnston
For: My Younger Older Sister
Award partners: SIM Video & PS Atlantic ($10,000), The Atlantic Filmmakers’ Coop ($6,000), 45 North ($1,200), Kodak Canada.

My Younger Older Sister follows the journey of Rose, a withdrawn young woman drifting through life in the wake of her older sister Kayla’s death. Rose is constantly bombarded with comparisons to her older, more self-assured sister, Kayla, and she spends her entire existence trying to measure up to the impossible standards that her sister has left. As Rose turns 21, she faces the realization she is now older than her older sister had a chance to be. Rose must now forge her own path for the first time in her life and let go of her sister’s ghost in order to create an identity for herself.

Leah Johnson is a filmmaker, actor, and photographer. Her interest is in creating conceptual photos and films. Beyond just telling a good story, Leah strives to always have a purpose behind every work she creates. Her goal is to let the underlying concept take precedence over all else, shaping the work from the inside out, in terms of narrative, visuals, sound and performance. She has created and performed in film and theatre pieces from Nova Scotia to Los Angeles, receiving positive, enthusiastic critical reception for her innovative style.

 

Atlantic Film Festival of Festivals!

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Another Facebook page thought that should be here as well. Thanks especially to Rose Zack for Brunch volunteers! And thanks to Wayne Carter, Jason Beaudry and crew for the Atlantic Film Festival’s important partnership!

The Facebook post was…

HUGE thanks to the Atlantic Film Festival and it’s crew! The hard working volunteers you meet at the Joy Awards Brunch are recruited by the AFF every year, and some of those volunteers have been helping out with the Brunch for many years now. Without the support of the AFF and festival volunteers the Brunch just wouldn’t be the same at all.

And it really wouldn’t.

 

And another thing…

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Posted this to Facebook page, but perhaps should also go here…

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Joy Awards Brunch! I wanted to say something about the great feeling of community that is felt there every year, but it’s hard to put into words. This program was born in the film community and it’s very nature is derived from the people who are the community. It’s gratifying to see the support and faith that is extended to the winners and the commitment of the people who represent the award’s partner organizations. So thanks and all the best to all of you in Atlantic Canada who make this a great place not only to make films, but to be a filmmaker at any level.

 

Joy Awards Brunch 2014

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Come on out and find out the winners of the first round of Joy Awards for 2014!

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The 902 Post Joy Award, the Joy Award, and Newfoundland Joy Award winners will be announced.

Filmmakers, AFF delegates, film lovers and anyone who wants to support our Atlantic cultural scene should come and enjoy some chowder and refreshments.

Doors open at Noon
Thursday September 18th
2125 Brunswick Street, Halifax
Over by 2pm

Enjoy the company of friends and colleagues and meet new ones!

The Joy Awards Brunch is presented with our valued partner The Atlantic Film Festival!
Thanks to Propeller Breweries and J. Willy Krauch & Sons for their many years of support!
Special thanks to Cat and Tony from Silver Wave Film Festival!
And special thanks to the Atlantic Film Festival and AFF volunteers who make this happen every year!