The Heart Of The Independent Film Industry

I’m probably not the first person you want to ask to write an editorial about the independent film scene in Halifax. Although I was raised in the Halifax Regional Municipality, I was born in Toronto. So I’m not even from here for starters. Second, most people me know me as a spoken word artist (iZrEAL) or as an angry and outspoken socio-political commentator (The Pr!ck) or as a hip hop enthusiast, videographer and former rap battle host and organizer (The Elements League). My children know me as a father. The government and my co-workers know me as music director. And finally, I’m currently in AFCOOP’s Film 5 Program, exactly four weeks away from shooting my first movie on film, DWB, a five minute short, based on a routine traffic stop and the power struggle that ensued between a police officer and myself.

I tell you all that not to brag about myself.  I’m not that egotistical, I don’t think anyways.  But I think my story is similar to many folks in the independent film scene. My story is about working different jobs, creating media projects and managing responsibilities in order to reach a greater goal: telling a story through film. From what I can see, this is just about what every independent filmmaker in Halifax is doing in one way or another — managing life’s priorities and trying to make the next film.

It’s not easy being an independent filmmaker in Halifax. There is very little financial resources available. However, the people resources are abundant. When I think about the independent film industry in Halifax, all I can think about is various people I’ve worked with, ordinary people from all over the world and from all walks of life. Ordinary people who want to find a way to tell good stories and people with various skills looking to lend their talents to the process. I see people with families and day jobs juggling several hobbies and projects, squeezing every second of their free time to helping realize a vision and share a story on film. 

Halifilm is home to the fruits of this collective passion. The people listed throughout this site are whom I’m talking about. These people are the heart of Halifax’s independent film industry. 

– Reed iZrEAL Jones

Reed iZrEAL Jone’s video blog, The Pr!ck, can be found at Haligonia.ca

Photo by Lief Norman