The Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (AFCOOP) is giving the chance to one Mi’kmaw filmmaker to create a short film through the Languages of Nova Scotia Initiative. Phase one of the program involved a weekend intro course in filmmaking skills and storytelling led by award-winning filmmaker Cathy Martin and coordinated by Bretten Hannam. Youth and participants learned the basics of filmmaking before setting out to make their own short film entirely in Mi’kmaw.

Phase two of the program has now opened. Mi’kmaw filmmakers from Mi’kma’ki (NS, NB, PEI, NL, QB) that are 18 years or older are eligible to apply for the chance to make a short film in the Mi’kmaq language.

“I had the chance to help coordinate a film workshop in Eskasoni this past November with Cathy Martin and Natalie Clifford. We were there as part of the Languages of Nova Scotia program through the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative. The program highlights underrepresented languages in film in the province and the workshop in Eskasoni was made to give a crash course in filmmaking skills, working with the camera and gear, and to talk about storytelling,” says Brett on the new initiative.

The goal of the program is to provide and inspire more film education and creation in the many language communities of Nova Scotia. The other languages include Gaelic, French, Maritime/American Sign Language, and Farsi.

Brett traveled with instructors and some gear from Halifax to the Cape Bret ...

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