Adam Beach eyes film school in Winnipeg's Ellice Theatre

Canadian actor Adam Beach says he plans to launch a film school for aboriginal youth at the Ellice Theatre, a longtime community venue in Winnipeg's West End.

The star of CBC's Arctic Air says his bid for the Ellice Theatre (587 Ellice St.) has been accepted, and the building will become the base for the Adam Beach Film Institute.

"For me, it's kind of a dream because I've always imagined a place where I can go home," said Beach, who was born and raised in Manitoba.

The non-profit organization will train at-risk aboriginal youth in various roles within the film industry, he said, adding that he hopes to hire students in the movies he shoots in the province.

"Not everybody's going to be an actor, but you could be a filmmaker, you could be a wardrobe assistant, you can be a casting agent, you can be anything," Beach said.

Beach is also involved in a "pop-up movie theatre" initiative that will bring first-run Hollywood films, as well as indigenous and international movies, to several Manitoba First Nations this month.

The theatres, which can be set up within hours in a gym or arena, will include food and beverage concessions, 11-metre-wide screens and current projection and sound systems.

The first pop-up theatre will be hosted on the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation's reserve on April 11-13. Screenings will also be held on the Norway House Cree Nation and the Sandy Bay First Nation.

Founded in 2006 by pastor and inner-city activist Harry Lehotsky, the Ellice Theatre is a non-profit venue that "strives to provide affordable entertainment to residents of the West End community and surrounding areas," according to its website.