Weengushk Film Institute

 
 

Special  Thanks

Thank you to Sprott Foundation Thank you to Sprott Foundation This is a great moment for me SPROTT friends. It is a great feeling knowing to whom I can express my... MORE DETAIL

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705 377 6011

Curent  Activities

Pre-Production Pre-Production Pre-Production is underway. The time has come for the participants to put into action what they have... MORE DETAIL

Participant  News

Jessie Souliere Jessie Souliere Since I left weengushk i have worked on 3 feature films, Irvine Welsh's ECSTASY starring Adam Sinclair, Kristin Kreuk, B... MORE DETAIL
 
 
 
 
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ABOUT  WFI

 

Weengushk Film Institute (WFI) is a not-for-profit artist-focused, film and television training centre, dedicated to unlocking the creative potential of Aboriginal Youth and persons of diversity. .

While developing market leading skills and experiences to its participants, WFI provides significant value by creating a mentorship network between participants engaged in learning and senior media industry professionals. This approach fosters skills development through film and training and also creates access points to key decision makers from different areas of the industry ... MORE DETAIL

 

About  Staff

Dr. Shirley Cheechoo Dr. Shirley Cheechoo   Dr. Shirley Cheechoo was born in Eastmain, Quebec in 1952.  Shirley is a member of the Cree Tribe and her early childhood was spent in Moose Factory along the James Bay coast.  Shirley also experienced part of her young life in various Indian Residential schools until her family later moved to Hearst,Ontario.  She is married to artist Blake Debassige and they have one child, Nanoshkasheese. Memories of growing up within a warm family group have become the focal point for her expression through the medium of acrylic.  She recalls here ... MORE DETAIL
Shanon Smith Shannon first fell in love with the film industry in 1999 when she made her first short film Mixed Reality.  Since then, she has worked in Windsor and Toronto taking on the roles of writer, producer, cinematographer and editor making Short Films, Documentary’s, Educational Videos and PSA’s. In 2005 Shannon graduated from the University of Windsor with a B.A. in Communications.  While at Windsor, Shannon presented her PSA Cross Roads at the Anti-Static Film Festival in Detroit, MI.  The PSA is now used as resource by the University of Wi... MORE DETAIL
Nano Debassige Nano Debassige Editor, Cinematographer, Paramedic. Born Nanoshkasheese Debassige on August 17, 1979, in Mindemoya, Ontario. With an early interest in all things theatrical, Debassige took acting lessons as a child. This quickly blossomed into a heavy interest in the Film and TV world. Growing up Debassige learned whatever he could from whomever would teach and quickly learned where he wanted to go in life. Debassige attended Sheridan College in Oakville Ontario after High School. He attended the Media Arts Program but was lured away from formal education w... MORE DETAIL

History  WFI

Weengushk Film Institute was created in 2002 from the experience of Cree filmmaker Shirley Cheechoo following her formal training at the Canadian Film Centre in Toronto, Ontario and The Sundance Film Institute in Park City, Utah.

Working with fellow students and industry professionals, Ms. Cheechoo acquired both formal academic skills and artistic talents in an environment that encourages innovation, creativity and risk in storytelling for film & television. Ms. Cheechoo is also the founder of the De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group, a touring company based on Manitoulin Island.

Shirley Cheechoo was inspired to create Weengushk in response to the absence of training opportunities for Aboriginals and people of diversity in Northern Ontario. When shooting her first feature film “Bearwalker” on Manitoulin Island, many of the young people that came to watch the set or lend a hand were thirsting to get involved. It made her aware of the great opportunity that a film institute could provide to clear the path to learning, to expression and to self-esteem.