Film Training Manitoba’s Executive Director Nominated as Woman of Distinction

Film Training Manitoba’s Executive Director Nominated as Woman of Distinction

Winnipeg – Film Training Manitoba is thrilled to announce the nomination of our Executive Director, Neila Benson, for the YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.

Neila has a distinguished background as a picture editor for the NFB (among others), animator and film professional.  She served as Film Training Manitoba’s Work Experience Coordinator until 2007, when she was appointed Executive Director. As the ED of Film Training Manitoba, she has brought her wealth of experience and her inside knowledge of Manitoba’s vibrant film industry to all of FTM’s training and outreach programs. Through her leadership and outstanding community involvement, FTM has become a nationally recognized training organization for the screen-based industry.

Throughout her career, Neila has assisted hundreds of members of Manitoba’s film and television industry further their careers behind, and in front of, the camera. She is a dedicated community leader whose vision of a relevant training organization has helped create one of the strongest training sectors in Manitoba. You would be hard pressed to find someone in the Manitoba film industry that has not been directly affected by her contributions.

“Her dedication and vision have contributed hugely to the success of Manitoba’s filmmaking art and achievements. For her bravery in taking on such a huge task, and her contributions to training Manitoba’s future generation of film artists and craftspeople, she deserves this recognition of her importance to the province,” Vonnie Von Helmolt, Producer and Chair, FTM Board of Directors.

Neila has been nominated in the Education, Training & Mentorship category. The Women of Distinction awards are being held on May 4, 2011. The award honours, encourages and recognizes women whose outstanding activities and achievements contribute to the health and future of the community.

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For more information please contact:

Dawn Bourbonnais, Communications Coordinator

Film Training Manitoba

Ph: (204) 989.9668 or E: dawn@filmtraining.mb.ca