Film festival? What is a film festival? What's the point of a film festival? Where can I get a film festival?
Theatres in city centres and in great big megaplexes typically show movies created in Hollywood, or at least with Hollywood standards of big budgets, big names, and "Hollywood" endings. If you've ever been to see a romantic comedy recently and compared it to one you saw ten years ago, you'll probably notice little has changed by way of storyline. This is where the importance of film festivals come in. Feature-length movies (usually and hour and a half or longer) or short films from around the world produced for the purpose of being artistic and different are the fare at festivals. These movies tend to be called "Indies" or independants because they were made by producers who want to invest in something different, or even someone.
When a filmmaker is just starting out in the industry they have to start small and build upwards. Creating a movie on a limited budget using fresh and original people and content, managing to get that movie shown in a festival, and then winning awards is a great way to start your reputation. Quite a few blockbusters (movies that make a great amount of money at the box office [the little rooms that take your money for tickets]) sometimes were originally produced as a small film that won accolades at a film festival, and were then given great big Hollywood bucks to remake it bigger and better. So basically a film festival is a great way to see emerging talent, or even amazing movies that you wouldn't normally see in a theatre.
In Canada there are several film festivals, not least of which are the Toronto, Banff, and Vancouver ones. They are held once a year and have specific categories the films can win awards in, just like the Academy Awards. They are musts for film students, or film producers since they show what is available in the industry. The Sunshine Coast, a great source of artistic content, also has its own film buffs, officianados, and even a film festival.
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The Powell River Film Festival has been running for a while, encouraging local talent as well as showing what's being made in countries from around the world. The video nut next door gets to see his life's work alongside fantastic creations from places like China, Australia, or Africa. The festival has several categories including: best original, best comedy, best documentary, best drama, and best local (Powell River).
For people who don't have the patience for full-length movies there is a five minute film contest. The movies are all done by amateurs, and since it is a family show, there's no nudity, violence, profanity, or graphic sexuality, and that includes the films. Each one has to be five minutes in total, including credits, and the prizes include paying for your trip/accomodations, plaques, and professional film workshops.
If you're looking for the same-old-same-old you can find it in any big theatre downtown. But if you're looking for something different and interesting, or just want to support the little guys, a film festival is the way to go and you can be sure they'll enjoy showing you what they've got.
For more information on the Powell River Film Festival contact:
Jan Padgett, Film Festival Coordinator
4690 Marine Ave
Powell River, BC
V8A 2L1
Tel: 604 485 3892
Fax: 604 485 3899
email: jan@prfilm.ca
Website: www.prfilm.ca
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