‘Mature… beyond his years’

St. Boniface

St. Vital

Garden City

Matthew Shoup loves being behind the camera, and his progress so far suggests a career in filmmaking is definitely in focus.

Shoup, 20, who lives in Garden City, recently received the inaugural Joy Loewen Storytelling Award from the National Screen Institute-Canada.

The award honours storytellers from equity-deserving communities that share their experiences with courage and help strengthen connection through the power of story.

Loewen is a former CEO of NSI whose leadership shaped the Winnipeg-based film training organization and “has left a lasting impact while also contributing significantly to the broader screen industry,” according to a release.

“I think what’s really great is that this award was initiated by the staff and board at the NSI, and it memorializes all the work done by the organization,” said Christine Kleckner, NSI executive director. “This is something that’s community-driven, and celebrates the person and their contributions.”

Referring to the award’s namesake, Kleckner called Loewen a visionary and an industry leader, who “brings a beautiful national voice to the industry” and she’s equally complimentary about Shoup, saying he “reflects so much in Joy’s hope for the future.”

“Matthew is young, talented and an exceptionally hard worker,” Kleckner said, noting NSI’s Winnipeg base allows it give a voice and platform to new and young Indigenous voices.

Shoup, an emerging Métis filmmaker — whose current project is a web-series called In the Cards that’s produced by Quindent Productions, which he co-owns — said he was thrilled to learn he’d won.

“I’m so honoured. It’s very humbling to be the inaugural winner of the award,” said Shoup, an alumnus of the CBC New Indigenous Voices program, which is run by NSI.

Shoup said his interest in film dates back to when he was a child, when he’d “make movies” with his sister and friends.

“My passion comes from my grandmother, honestly. She’d always tell me stories, and she’s my role model,” he said, noting his favourite film is The Wizard of Oz. He also loves the cult TV show Twin Peaks.

“I eat and breathe movies. I love everything about them,” he added.

Shoup, a film student at the University of Winnipeg, also works as a post-production supervisor at Wookey Films, owned by siblings and former Collège Louis-Riel students Janelle and Jérémie Wookey.

“When I was in NSI’s CBC New Indigenous Voices program in 2024, the final phase of the program was an internship. We all ended up at different places, but for my internship, I was lucky enough to land the amazing Wookey Films,” Shoup said.

“After my internship finished, I was hired as an assistant editor. I was so excited I got to continue there, as Wookey Films is my favourite place in the world. It’s such an amazing place, full of the most creative, kindest, and talented people. Recently, I’ve moved into the position of post-production supervisor. I’ve been lucky enough to do these positions while also balancing university classes.”

Janelle Wookey said Shoup has made stellar progress to date.

“He started out with us just over a year ago, which feels crazy because he’s very quickly become a very important fixture with Wookey Films,” she said.

“Matthew blew us away with his skill and dedication and organizational talent, as well as with his very, very mature vibe beyond his years. He has such an amazing attitude.”

Wookey said Shoup’s ability led to his eventual promotion just a few months ago.

“(It) feels like a very high-level job for somebody who is as fresh as he is,” she said. “But he is knocking it out of the park, honing his leadership skills in the industry and we are so proud to have him as part of the team here.

“We frequently joke that we will all one day be working for Matthew and we look forward to keeping him on as long as we can and hopefully we will be able to support him as his career as a director takes flight.”

Visit nsi-canada.ca or www.quindent.ca or www.wookeyfilms.com to learn more.