WFG 2024 MFM FIRST FILM FUND RECIPIENTS
We are excited to announce the following recipients of the 2024 MFM First Film Fund:
Megan Robinson was awarded $2,000 in cash and $2,000 in WFG Services for “The Dottir of New Iceland”.
Meg Robinson is an emerging producer and filmmaker from Manitoba. Meg has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba and has worked in marketing and business development up until transitioning into the film industry in 2022. Meg has a background in journalism and photography and has written for the NATO Association of Canada, and has had the opportunity to photograph events like the PGA Tour Canada tournaments, corporate events, professional athletes and sporting events, aerial photography as a licensed Advanced Drone Pilot, and more.
To get involved in film, she started out volunteering on sets, doing background acting work, and assisting filmmakers with marketing their films. She took as many film courses as she could with the Winnipeg Film Group and Film Training Manitoba and more to diversify her skills. Gaining these experiences has now led her to working on several projects with Folks Films, Eagle Vision Productions, Familiar Films, and more, in all aspects of film – from being a PA, to assisting in pre-production, business affairs, casting, camera, sound, BTS photography, and marketing. Meg is passionate about helping Manitoba filmmakers make their creative vision a reality. Inspired from working and helping amazing Manitoba creatives on their own projects, Meg is excited to create her first project of her own, reflecting her Icelandic heritage and her journey to Iceland to meet long-lost relatives. In the future, Meg hopes to continue to grow as a producer and would like to specialize in journalistic documentaries and anything to do with comedy.
Aidan Billard Dooley and Gabe Cole were awarded $2,000 in cash and $2,000 in WFG Services for “STORM OF THE MILLENNIUM!”.
Aidan Billard Dooley is a 22-year-old Winnipeg-based writer, director, and cinematographer who also works as a freelance photographer and videographer. He finished his filmmaking program at the University of Winnipeg in June of 2023 and has since had his work screened at the Gimli International Film Festival, the African Movie Festival in Manitoba, and the University of Winnipeg Film Festival. He has a passion for high concept films, sci-fi, and horror.
Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Cole is a 21 year old filmmaker and writer, born and raised in Winnipeg, MB. He graduated from the University of Winnipeg’s Filmmaking program in 2024, and has had his work screened at UWPG Film Festival and Gimli International Film Festival. Gabe is excited to continue and expand his work as an artist in the film and television industry. Film has always been impactful in Gabe’s life, and he hopes to create stories that impact people as well.
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Several submissions were received for this cycle of the award, and were juried by a peer assessment committee comprised of filmmakers Nathaniel Magbanua and Sara Bulloch.
THE WINNIPEG FILM GROUP ACKNOWLEDGES MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC FOR GRACIOUSLY FURNISHING THE CASH COMPONENT OF THE AWARDS.
