We give thousands of dollars back to the community every year to support a life-long love of film. Here’s where the money goes ~
Donations
Spinning Reels makes donations to the DVD collections of local libraries and seniors’ homes. So, wherever you may be, you get to see great movies. Spinning Reels has added to the collections at:
- Bracebridge Public Library
- Muskoka Lakes Public Library in Port Carling
- Windermere Library
- Walkers Point Library
- Milford Bay Library
- The Pines Long-Term Care Home
In Addition, Spinning Reels makes annual contributions to The Manna Food Bank and the West Muskoka Food Bank.
Student Bursary
We are committed to helping the next generation of creators, and every year we select one or more students who are moving on to their post-secondary education to receive a Spinning Reels Student Bursary.
Do you know someone in his or her last year of high school who is planning their post-secondary studies in an arts-related field such as theatre, multimedia, photography or filmmaking?
Contact Spinning Reels at tickets@spinningreels.ca to receive information about how they can apply for a Spinning Reels student bursary.
Bursary Recipients
2025 The Spinning Reels Board is a pleased to resume the annual awarding of two Bursaries to local students. Since 2009 we have given this Bursary to 20 young people in Muskoka.
The Spinning Reels criteria states candidates must be students in their final year of study, who will be seeking admission into first-year undergraduate studies at a university or college in one of the following disciplines: Film studies, motion picture arts and sciences, animation arts programs, film and television production, theatre arts — production or performance, digital media arts.
We are happy to announce that we presented $1,000 to two BMLSS students Georgia Boyter and Grace Gilbert.
Georgia states that she has a passion for film and has been accepted to Queens University for a Film and Media studies, said, ‘I am over the moon to receive this Bursary from Spinning Reels. I have an intense love for film, which is why I will be attending Queens University for their Film and Media program, where I will have a hands-on experience in film production, editing, and directing. I will also have the privilege of learning and understanding the study of entertainment and different types of media in our world today like literature, music, and art. I will use this scholarship to aid me financially by covering parts of my tuition costs and expenses throughout the year. I am very grateful for this opportunity”.
Grace has been accepted to Mount Allison, New Brunswick to study Film and Media. She said, “I am incredibly grateful for being chosen to receive this Bursary. I strongly believe in what Spinning Reels is doing for our small but mighty community. They have brought over 100 movies to Bracebridge which never would have been shown otherwise. It’s important because everyone deserves the chance to experience the beauty and diversity of film. Now I will be able to pursue my passion for media and film production, I hope one day to become a director or a camera operator and have my name in the credits of everyone’s favourite movies. Thank you to Spinning Reels for everything that you do for our community and for this scholarship”.
The board of Spinning Reels is happy to contribute this bursary to the education of local students, knowing it will make a difference to the students, to the arts and sciences, film studies, motion pictures in Bracebridge, Ontario and beyond.
2020 Even in these extraordinary unique COVID times the board of Spinning Reels felt it was appropriate to continue to offer the annual Spinning Reels Bursary. This is the 12th year and we are happy to announce that we presented $1,000 to local student Fiona Murray.
Fiona attended Bracebridge Muskoka Lakes Secondary School and for years she actively participated in volunteering with directing and technical aspects for children at ‘Hub Productions.’ She assisted with the Box Office at Rene Caisse theatre. Fiona was also a teaching assistant for a Grade 10 drama class.
Fiona has been accepted to York University for the Media Arts program. She will study film and learn about the industry including acting, editing and direction. Fiona is hoping to get a job in the Canadian film industry.
“Thanks to the Spinning Reels I will be able to put my bursary toward my tuition which will help me with my courses and my career path. I chose this program because it offered so many different learning opportunities and career directions. It will teach me how to work with digital media in many different forms while also teaching me about the art of film.” Fiona Murray
2019
We are happy to announce that the 2019 bursary recipient is Bryden Ingham.
Bryden attended St. Dominic Catholic High School, where he actively participated in making videos in school such as news reports and live reporting. He has also made videos for his local church, Wellington Street Pentecostal.
He has been accepted to Canadore College in North Bay, where he will study film editing and learn about advanced visual and audio editing.
“Thanks to the Spinning Reels board I will be able to buy an actual DSLR Canon camera to help me in my video productions,” he said. “It will definitely help me with my courses as well as my career path.” All the best to you, Bryden!
2018
The winners of the 2018 Spinning Reels student bursary are Mitchell Brock and Preslee Bertrand. Mitchell is a BMLSS grad who is off to York University to study acting and film.
Preslee, (sorry no picture!) a St. Dominic’s grad, is studying film editing at Canadore College in North Bay.
2017
The proud recipients of the 2017 Spinning Reels bursary are John Kahn and Jesse Ricottone. John attended BMLSS and helped make short films and music videos. He will attend Ryerson University to become a Film Editor. He said, “Thanks to Spinning Reels I will be able to buy equipment for school to make the videos I love.”
Jesse attended St. Dominic where he ran live video broadcasts and also was involved in making short films and videos. He plans to study cinematography. “It’s amazing that we have boards like Spinning Reels who support the arts and students like me to attend university and to offer the support available for students to give back to the community,” he said. Here they are receiving their cheques from Spinning Reels volunteers Maria Duncalf Barber and Sandy Yudin.
2016
Congratulations to Moira, our 2016 winner. Moira is from Springdale Park, Bracebridge. She attended BMLSS and has been accepted to the University of Toronto to undertake her Bachelor of Arts with a major in drama and a French minor. Moira’s aim is be a professional actor, then a drama teacher. She says Toronto is one of Canada’s best places for actors to find work. She intends to work hard and live there and maintain a YouTube channel to put herself out there.
She has been a member of the Royal Canadian Army cadets for four years, and has participated in many volunteer activities in the Muskoka community including the Remembrance Day Vigil and Fathers’ Day car show.
2015
Following our Jan 19, 2015 screening of films by renowned local filmakers, interest was so high we donated copies of each of the three movies: The Winter Camp, The Boatbuilder, and Fallen Leaves (as well as its accompanying book) to the public libraries in Bracebridge, Muskoka Lakes Port Carling, Milford Bay, Ullswater and Walkers Point for your enjoyment.
2014
Josh Ronson, Michelle Hollingshead and Melinda Wilson have indicated that the bursary will assist not only with the cost of tuition, materials and residence, but also provide a boost of confidence as they head off to study.
In addition, Spinning Reels was able to make a one-time donation to the Manna Food Bank.
2013
Here is Spinning Reels’ 2013 Bursary winner Tori Wines, receiving her cheque from Maria Duncalf-Barber and Sandy Yudin.
2012
And here is Maria Duncalf Barber presenting the 2012 student bursary cheques to recipients Kris Finley and Jason Thomson. Are you planning to study in an arts-related field such as theatre, multimedia, photography or filmmaking? Contact Spinning Reels at tickets@spinningreels.ca to receive information about how you can apply for a Spinning Reels student bursary. We’d love to see you at the movies too!
2011
- Student Bursary Recipient: Connor Doran, to help with his media-related post-secondary education. Here he is receiving his bursary cheque from Maria Duncalf Barber.
- Bracebridge Public Library: For their DVD collection
- Muskoka Lakes Library: For their DVD collection
- The Pines Long Term Care Home: For their DVD collection
- Leisureworld Caregiving Centre: For their DVD collection
2010
- Student Bursary Recipient: Martin Bennet, to help with his media-related post-secondary education. Update: August 2011: Martin has produced a short film that has been submitted to a CTV film competition. Congratulations Martin!
- Bracebridge Public Library: For their DVD collection
- Muskoka Lakes Library: For their DVD collection
- The Pines Long Term Care Home: For their DVD collection
- Leisureworld Caregiving Centre: For their DVD collection
