Iglulik (Nov 08/04) - Iglulik is again the major recipient of Canada Council grant money going to Nunavut.

Nearly 75 per cent of all the money the Council for the Arts spent in Nunavut went to filmmakers, networks, actors and writers in the community of 1,200.

"What is striking about Nunavut is the strength of the film and video community," said Donna Balkan, senior communications manager for the Canada Council for the Arts.

Zacharias Kunuk, co-founder of Isuma Films and writer/director of the acclaimed film Atanarjuat, received a $69,000 grant from the council last year.

The media arts division is the only category where individual grants go that high, reflecting the high costs of film and video production.

The Nunavut Independent Television Network, based in Iglulik, received a $97,100 operating grant, up from $75,000 in 2002-2003.

Overall, the number of applications for funding the council received from Nunavut more than doubled last year -- to 37 from 17 applications in 2002-2003.

Balkan credits the increase in applications to the council's efforts to inform Northern artists about its grant programs.

Nunavut also had two members of its arts community act as peer assessors. Applications in the various categories are evaluated by peer assessment committees of three to five members.

Balkan didn't know how many peer assessors from Nunavut had been on committees in previous years, but said the council aims for as much regional balance as can be accommodated on a small committee.