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The
first Don Haig Award was presented on May 16, 2004 during
the Canadian Film Centre's Worldwide Short Film Festival
annual picnic.
The
$10,000 cheque was awarded to BC filmmaker Aubrey Nealon.
Nealon attended the Canadian Film Centre's directing lab
in 2000, where he co-wrote and directed In Memoriam.
Debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival, the
film received rave reviews, and was part of the Rogers's
Video compilation Made in Canada: The Best of the CFC.
His
latest film is the 35mm theatrical feature Idaho Peak,
starring Kris Lemche, Michael Hogan, and Matt Craven.
The
award is the legacy of Don Haig, a major force in such independent
films as I've Heard the Mermaids Singing, Artie Shaw:
Time Is All You've Got, The Twist, 125 Rooms of Comfort,
and many more. It was established by Don's life companion
Bill Schultz, his family, colleagues, and the filmmakers
he so vigorously supported.
"His
passion over 40 years was to give chances to emerging talent
- he was the godfather of indie Canadian Film," said
Joan Schafer, Chair of the Don Haig Committee which began
the Award. "And that's exactly what we're honouring."
"I
can't think of a better candidate to kick start this - Don
would have picked him," said Ms Schafer.
Nealon
was one of 12 nominees from across the country selected
by experienced fillmamkers. The final winner was then chosen
by an independent jury.
"Filmmaking
has the unusual quality of being a very cruel industry full
of very wonderful people," Nealon said. "Don Haig
was by all accounts a shining example of the latter. I count
myself among the many aspiring filmmakers whose lives he
touched."
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