Mercury Filmworks Donates $25,000 to Students of Algonquin College’s New Film and Media Production Program
Posted on Thursday, January 28th, 2021
OTTAWA (January 28, 2021) – Mercury Filmworks has established an annual award for a graduating Algonquin College Film and Media Production student. The five-year commitment has an annual value of $5,000 and was created to honour former Mercury Filmworks’ employee and former Algonquin College student Kevin Kocvar.
Launched in the Fall of 2020, Algonquin’s two-year Film and Media Production program provides hands-on experience with the equipment and processes used in the film and screen-based media production industry. Ottawa’s Mercury Filmworks is one of Canada’s most prolific independent studios and internationally recognized as a leader in the animation industry for its benchmarks in quality, reliability, and innovation.
“We are grateful to Mercury Filmworks for their support of learners in our new Film and Media Production program said Claude Brulé, President and CEO, Algonquin College. “This generous donation will help support students as they embark on their career in animation and film production. This annual award will make an impact on the life of one of our pending graduates, providing them with resources and support as they begin their career in this exciting field – while honouring a talented individual who served as a role model for many.”
Kevin was a much beloved son, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle. He loved music, animals, his family and friends, and he loved his work and his co-workers. Kevin appreciated life and was always mindful of his interactions and impact on others. Kevin was an immensely respected pillar in the Ottawa production community for 30+ years in both live action and animation. Mercury Filmworks is proud to offer this award in Kevin’s memory.
Ottawa is becoming known for its top-notch talent, in part due to the animation, film and media students graduating from Algonquin and being hired by firms like Mercury Filmworks. Mercury employs over 75 graduates and has been a long-time partner of the College.
“With this bursary, we honour the memory of our friend and colleague Kevin Kocvar. In his name, we hope to empower the next generation of editing talent to be the skilled, steadfast, and kind professional that Kevin was,” said Clint Eland, Chief Executive Officer of Mercury Filmworks.
The newly established Kevin Kocvar Editing Award will be awarded annually to a graduating student of the Film & Media Production program whose passion for excellence in editing is matched by their leadership, mentoring, kindness, and understanding as well as their desire to continually learn and grow in the editorial field. Applications will begin this spring. The deadline is June 15, 2021. The winning applicant will receive $5,000.
“We are thrilled that each year one of our students will be the recipient of this honor. This award, in Kevin’s name, recognizes the tremendous importance of the editing process in films,” said Robyn Heaton, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Media and Design. “The new Film and Media Production program allows students to immerse themselves in the complete workflow of modern digital filmmaking – from cinematography to post-production. This annual award will assist a student in realizing their dream of working in this exciting industry.”
For more information:
Chris Lackner Liza Amyotte
Communications Manager Marking & Communications Manager
Algonquin College Mercury Filmworks
Office: 613-727-4723 ext. 2091 Office: +1 613-319-9270
Mobile: 613-220-3479 Mobile: +1 343-996-8578
lacknec@algonquincollege.com l.amyotte@mercuryfilmworks.com
About the Kevin Kocvar Editing Award:
This award honours a former employee who was deeply connected to Mercury. Kevin Kocvar was a much beloved son, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle. He loved music, animals, his family and friends, and he loved his work and his co-workers. Kevin appreciated life and was always mindful of his interactions and impact on others. Kevin was an immensely respected pillar in the Ottawa production community for 30+ years in both live action & animation. Mercury Filmworks is proud to offer this award in Kevin’s memory. The 25 thousand dollar donation will provide five grants of five thousand dollars over five years.
About Algonquin College:
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 185 programs. Based in the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario.
About Mercury Filmworks:
Mercury Filmworks is one of Canada’s most prolific independent studios and is internationally recognized as a leader in the animation industry for its benchmarks in quality, reliability, and innovation. Mercury has helped bring to life many of the most memorable, modern animated television and film properties including Hilda, Mickey Mouse, Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure, The Lion Guard, Wander Over Yonder, Team Hot Wheels, Jake & the Never Land Pirates, Fish Hooks, Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil, Jimmy Two Shoes, Toot & Puddle, Ruby Gloom, Gerald McBoing Boing, Curious George: The Movie, The PowerPuff Girls Movie, and Looney Tunes: Back In Action. Mercury is proud to be associated with partners such as Disney, Netflix, Amazon, AppleTV+, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Universal, American Greetings, Entertainment One, Mattel, Technicolor, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Teletoon. www.mercuryfilmworks.com
About Algonquin College’s Film and Media Production Program:
The two-year Film and Media Production Ontario College Diploma program, delivered in a compressed format over 42 weeks, provides hands-on experience with the equipment and processes used in the film and screen-based media production industry. Through the creation of original student content and participation in real-world productions, the program mirrors the experience and expectations of the production industry and prepares you for careers in the film production sector. Through field placement, you examine the responsibilities and expectations of working on film sets, while learning and networking alongside established industry professionals.
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