Twelve gifted Canadian filmmakers chosen from a national competition will develop their projects over the weekend at an event being staged in cooperation with the National Film Board of Canada and Simon Fraser University’s Praxis Centre for Screenwriters.

Genie Award-winner Jennifer Baichwal (Manufactured Landscapes) and Academy Award nominee Connie Field (Freedom on My Mind) will act as mentors to the twelve. Joining Field and Baichwal are researcher and legal expert Elizabeth Klinck along with specialists in editing, producing, and sound design.

The 12 Art of Documentary projects under development include Hello CBQM, Inuvialuit filmmaker Dennis Allen’s affectionate look at a bush radio station in Fort McPherson; Nutcracker Nation, which looks behind the kitsch to explore the Christmas ballet as a cultural phenomenon; Pink Ink., a critique of the politics of breast cancer fundraising; That’s My Time, a collaboration with comedian Irwin Barker as he battles terminal cancer; and Eco-Pirate, a portrait of controversial marine environmentalist Paul Watson by accomplished Vancouver filmmaker Trish Dolman.

In addition, they will discuss "The state of the art of documentary" at a public lecture to be held at the Vancity Theatre, at 8 p.m. May 25.

"What excites me about this unique program is the attention paid to aesthetics, narrative and craft?the real art of filmmaking, " says NFB executive producer Tracey Friese. For more information contact Michael Boucher/Patricia Gruben at 778.782.7880; email at[email protected]. www.praxisfilm.com.