“Northwords” doc gets multi-media treatment

September 26, 2012 by Matthew Sylvain

FilmCAN, Toronto-based makers of interactive documentaries, has unveiled the launch of various facets of Northwords, its multi-media project for which it won the international pilots documentary competition at the Banff World Media Festival last June.

A follow-up to the prodco’s award-winning National Parks Project with Primitive Entertainment, Northwords follows CBC Radio personality Shelagh Rogers and five Canadian authors as they travel to Torngat Mountains National Park in northern Labrador. There, they discuss the cultural significance of the rugged Canadian landscape and get inspired by visiting it.

It is produced by Ryan Noth, Geoff Morrison and Joel McConvey.

Northwords will receive its Toronto premiere during the Planet in Focus Film Festival Oct. 10 to 14, as previously reported. After that it will screen at Toronto’s International Festival of Authors Oct. 20, followed by its broadcast premiere on the CBC on Oct. 25.

As well, book publisher House of Anansi Press this week released an e-book tie-in that is available either as a collection introduced by Rogers or else as individually purchased stories. A portion of the profits made from the sales will go to PGIs for Literacy, a charity named in honor of broadcaster Peter Gzowski.

The other writers are Joseph Boyden, Alissa York, Noah Richler, Sarah Leavitt and Rabindranath Maharaj.

Also launching this fall is northwordscanada.ca, which is said to be an interactive experience that allows visitors to recount their own experiences with the north, as well as learn more about the Torngats. It also includes bonus video and immersive content.

A radio tie-in was featured on CBC Radio in 2011, which took the bronze medal at the New York Festivals International Radio Awards.

The project was produced with the financial participation of Parks Canada.

(From Playback Daily)

Tags: FilmCan, National Parks Project, Northwords