Amy Belling and Michael Parker were announced today as the winners of the inaugural Daryl Duke Scholarships.

The British Columbia Film Foundation’s Daryl Duke Scholarships were created in order to honour the significant contribution of Daryl Duke to the film and television industry while assisting in the advanced education of exceptional BC filmmakers.

Eligible disciplines included writing, directing, producing, cinematography, art direction, picture editing, sound design, visual effects and interactive media.  Applications were adjudicated by a jury of active BC film, television and digital media industry professionals.  Each recipient will receive $10,000 towards their educational expenses for the 2009/2010 year.

Amy Belling, an award-winning Director of Photography and Producer, will utilize the scholarship to continue pursuing her Masters of Fine Arts in Cinematography at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles.  “I am very honoured and thrilled to be a recipient of the Daryl Duke Scholarship, and thank the BC Film Foundation for this opportunity,” says Belling. “The AFI Conservatory is allowing me to pursue my dreams of cinematography, and has instilled in me the need to question the story, the method, myself and the choices we make as filmmakers.  I’m excited to return to BC as a professional cinematographer!”

Michael Parker, an award-winning Writer, Director and Producer, will use the scholarship to pursue his Masters of Fine Arts in Film Production and Creative Writing at UBC.  “I feel that the decision to further my career by pursuing an MFA at UBC has been reaffirmed by the jury's decision to support me with the generous Daryl Duke scholarship,” says Parker. “I believe strongly in lifelong learning and am extremely appreciative and grateful to the BC Film Foundation for acknowledging the importance of advanced education.”

“Like Daryl, the Daryl Duke Scholarships are fueled by the power of creativity and ideas,” says Anne-Marie Dekker, Daryl’s wife.  “Daryl was always attracted to people who stood out and aspired to be their best – and Amy and Michael are individuals who Daryl would have been proud to support.”

As a director and producer, Daryl Duke’s Emmy Award winning career included successes in feature film, television drama, documentary and television specials. In a professional life that spanned more than half a century, Daryl worked with all of the major North American television networks and for most of the studios in Hollywood.

Daryl began his career as an editor, writer and director at the NFB and a director and producer at the CBC. He is best known for having directed “The Thorn Birds”, the 10 hour mini-series from the best selling book, “Tai-Pan” and “I Heard the Owl Call My Name”. In the mid-1970’s, Daryl founded the independent television station CKVU in Vancouver. He was the station’s first President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, leading it to be the highest rated station in its market.

 “Amy and Michael have both shown remarkable talent, energy, professionalism and dedication to the local film and television industry,” says Michael Francis, BC Film + Media Foundation President.  “I am delighted that we are celebrating Daryl’s life and career through the support of their education and future endeavors.”

The British Columbia Film Foundation is a charitable foundation established by BC Film + Media in 2008 to advance the study and teaching of Canadian film, television and digital media studies through the provision of scholarships to students.

For more information, contact:

Kristen Lukovich
Manager, Communications & Industry Initiatives, BC Film + Media
klukovich@bcfm.ca or 604.736.7997