At the National Screen Institute, we’re blessed to see firsthand the difference training makes in the lives of storytellers. On our website throughout December we’re sharing impact stories from many of our talented alumni who’ve told us how NSI training transformed their lives and careers.

Today’s featured alumna is Alex Lazarowich who, in 2015, made Cree Code Talker through NSI IndigiDocs alongside producing partner Cowboy Smithx.

Alex is a Cree producer, director and screenwriter whose work has premiered at film festivals around the world. She is passionate about telling Indigenous stories. Her most recent documentary Fast Horse premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2019 winning Alex a Special Jury Award for directing.

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How did your training through NSI help you get to the place you’re at in your career today?

I think the training I had through NSI IndigiDocs really uplifted my career through the creation of our short documentary Cree Code Talker. It allowed us to produce an exquisite film that premiered at festivals around the world.

The mentorship with NSI staff and our film mentor director Sturla Gunnarsson also allowed us to create meaningful relationships and networks within the documentary community.

What was most memorable or helpful about NSI training?

I think what was most helpful was the business and legal portion of training. It helped create long-term goals and allowed me to move more confidently in the world of independent producing.

Did you make enduring connections with peers and industry folks?

This was most valuable to me. I’ve made long lasting connections and collaborations with industry folks and grads from NSI programs. It really became an important network allowing me to see and support the amazing films and things other Indigenous grads are doing, such as Roger Boyer who created the Indigenous Film Summit with his team in Winnipeg.

Have you continued to work with any of those people?

I’ve worked with or mentored a few grads which has been exciting. We support each other through social media promotion and are all cheering for one another from the sidelines. When one grad has success it’s success for all of us.

What advice or encouragement would you give a prospective applicant considering NSI programs?

Submit your application (even if you think you’re not ready). You’ll always feel not ready, but do it anyway! You’ll learn so much, and it will open your network. The support of NSI staff and mentors is invaluable and will push your career forward.

What has your career trajectory looked like between when you completed training and now?

My career trajectory has exploded in the past five years. I went from doing NSI IndigiDocs to winning an award at Sundance Film Festival 2019. It wouldn’t have happened without the creation of Cree Code Talker through the NSI program. I learned so much and was able to take the skills I learned and apply them to future films like Fast Horse.

What was the most transformative part of your learning experience?

It gave me a new approach and mindset for filmmaking. I learned things at NSI that I hadn’t been aware of prior. It drove home to me how organizations like NSI can fill gaps in the learning and growth process, as well as the need for content creators to continue to learn and adapt.

What project(s) are you currently working on?

We’re currently in the middle of the 2020 awards season for Fast Horse, and I’m just finishing up series producing season 6 of CBC’s hit television series Still Standing.

Where can people find out more about your work online?

You can watch my latest film Fast Horse on Vimeo. It was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick. For a list of more of my work you can visit my website.