Writer/director/producer Simonee Chichester has been named the 2012 Kodak New Vision Mentorship recipient by Women in Film & Television-Toronto (WIFT-T). Now in its eighth year, the Kodak New Vision Mentorship program provides an eligible WIFT-T member with full registration to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the chance to prepare for the fest through one-on-one sessions with industry mentors. Chichester will also receive a $5,000 product grant for the purchase of Kodak motion picture film.
Chichester’s coaching and mentorship will be provided by Tamara Shannon, vice president of marketing at Entertainment One Films Canada, and Ingrid Veninger, internationally-acclaimed producer/director (i am a good person/i am a bad person, Nurse.Fighter.Boy and Modra).
“Through the Kodak New Vision Mentorship, emerging female filmmakers get the chance to learn from the best in this business,” said WIFT-T executive director Heather Webb.
In the lead-up to TIFF, Chichester will work with Veninger and Shannon on the creative and business development plans for her current feature project, Merv, including preparing for meetings with key project collaborators and executive producers.
“Our continued partnership with WIFT-T and the ongoing success of the Kodak New Vision Mentorship allows us to offer support to talented Canadian directors,” says Kodak Canada’s Rhonda Lockwood, an account manager for the entertainment imaging division. “Having the expertise of industry professionals such as Tamara Shannon and Ingrid Veninger to foster the vision of an emerging female filmmaker emphasizes the importance of the Kodak New Vision Mentorship.”
A graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Director’s Lab, Chichester has written, directed and produced fiction and non-fiction for the web, film and television, including her documentary, Chichester’s Choice. Her recently-released CBC short, My Guy, is currently being submitted to film festivals around the world.
Chicester will also be acknowledged at the Crystal Awards Gala Luncheon on Dec. 4th in Toronto.
