IQALUIT - It was a few moments for a chance at fame and a degree of fortune.

Scores of young women from across Nunavut took a seat in front of some very bright production lights and tried to make their best impression as cameras rolled on May 3.

Lucy Aqpik of Kimmirut tries to make herself comfortable in front of a film camera in hopes of landing a role in an upcoming movie to be directed by actor Ralph Fiennes. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

At stake is the leading role of Alma in a movie that Ralph Fiennes will direct titled Snow Country. Also up for grabs is the role of Julie in an independent production called Julie of the Wolves.

"I was so shy," Iqaluit's Naiomie Santerre, 18, said following her video screening.

The process on this day was fairly simple. A row of chairs was set up outside a modest-size room in the AWG games arena, a room tucked away down a corridor, away from the hustle and bustle of the Nunavut trade show.

One by one the young women were called in and asked to remove their coats. Then they were ushered in front of a movie camera. After a few photos were taken with a digital camera, they were asked to have a seat in a very basic orange plastic and metal chair. On hand from New York for part of Thursday was Andy Young, the director of Julie and the Wolves.

With a hand-held camera of his own, Young would ask the youthful aspiring actresses their names, where they're from, their pastimes and why they want to be involved in movies.

Lucy Aqpik, a 23-year-old Kimmirut resident, gave brief responses and shifted nervously in her seat during her few minutes in the chair.

"It's hard," she said following her video screening.

As she made her way to the door, Young sympathized, telling her it might get easier if she continues seeking auditions.

"If we're interested in seeing you again then we'll call, but we have a lot of people to look at," he tells Aqpik.

It's a message he delivered to many of the hopefuls, the majority of them teenagers with no previous acting experience.

"I've seen some wonderful faces since we've been here," Young said.

Having the right look is important, but not as crucial as ease in front of the camera and the right personality, he acknowledged. Ideally, he said he was looking for someone whose disposition is similar in nature to the character of Julie, someone with "a sparkle."

The reality of having to reject nearly all of those who tried out made Young a little uneasy.

"Part of it is heartbreaking, too" he admitted. "I want to be able to give something to everyone but I can't. I don't want to get their hopes up... but I hope it's a good experience. Acting is tough."

But the young women were indeed hopeful, remarkably so.

"I'd probably cry if they called me," Santerre said. "It would change how I feel about my life to know that something good could happen to someone like me."

Santerre's friend, 16-year-old Wendy Kanayuk, said landing the role would "make me feel beautiful."

Word could come any time within the next six months, according to Charlotte DeWolff of Ajjiit Nunavut Media Association, which represents the film industry in the territory. However, auditions are also taking place in the NWT and Alaska, she said.

There have also been photos and e-mails sent from Inuit living in Ottawa and as far away as Los Angeles, added Dewolff, who was taking people's pictures for a supporting role and cast extras database. If the right candidate is lacking experience, an acting workshop is a possibility, she said.

"I think it would be a wonderful opportunity, a dream come true, for a young Nunavummiuq to be cast in a movie of this calibre," DeWolff said.