Prince George's Norm Coyne is one of 100 Canadians selected to participate in an exclusive initiative.
The local filmmaker is set to join the 2020 Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative, which offers a professional springboard for Francophone, Indigenous, women and non-binary creators and producers from across the country.
“I’m thrilled to be recognized as an emerging Indigenous creator through the Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative,” says Coyne in a news release.
“The program offers training and mentorship that will provide me the opportunity to forge strong professional connections with industry executives to raise awareness, and potentially funding, for current and future projects in northern B.C.”
As part of the initiative, Coyne is receiving a full-access pass to the Banff World Media Festival 2020, inclusion in a customized professional development program and exclusive networking opportunities with industry executives.
Coyne says this opportunity will act as a catalyst for not only his filmmaking career, but could also attract future productions to Prince George and northern B.C.
Coyne’s company, Barker Street Cinema, has set goals of reigniting the region's film sector.
"It has never been more important for stories to be told by all people.
The Netflix-Banff Diversity of Voices Initiative is set to foster our ability to reach so much further with ours by equipping us with invaluable industry knowledge and direct connections to film industry leaders."
Coyne’s current film projects include the paranormal history television series Wicked Ways starring LeeAnna Vamp and Mark Meer, the bizarre festival travel series Festies starring Ming Chen, the untold Hollywood documentary series Hollywood Forever with Skye Borgman, inspirational Indigenous rooted documentary Walking the Red Road, and the mystery series The Further Adventures of Holmes & Watson.
Coyne is also known for founding the popular entertainment expo Northern FanCon, which has been taking place in Prince George for the last five years.
Through his company Barker Street Cinema, a venture with James Douglas, he produced The Doctor’s Case which went on to win dozens of awards at festivals internationally and was reported by ScreenRant at “The fifth best Stephen King film adaptation (according to IMDB).
