The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival (VISFF) is celebrating its 10th anniversary and it’s looking for local talent to fill the 2015 roster.
While the Nanaimo-based festival receives submissions from around the world, it has also helped boost the careers of Parksville Qualicum Beach filmmakers. Local filmmaker Paul Whittington won best film, best technical and people’s choice in 2007 with his stop-motion film Android 207.
“It did pretty well,” admits Whittington. In fact, that film also went on to be shown at festivals in Beloit, Arizona and Milwaukee.
Whittington started making films in high school in the 1980s when he and his friend bought a camcorder and started “messing around.” He eventually started to make stop-motion animation and experimental films, including three others shown at the VISFF.
Even though he doesn’t make many shorts anymore, Whittington is still writing, producing and shooting live action under his brand Orange Core Films and will shoot a music video in Fanny Bay.
To encourage filmmakers, the VISFF is waiving the entry fee for local participants. Submit films with completed entry forms in person to the festival office.
“It’ll help big time,” said Whittington who said it can be expensive. The office is in the Nanaimo Arts Council in Nanaimo North Town Centre.
Entry forms and an online submission is available at visff.submittable.com/submit. Films can be on any genre or subject, must be under 13 minutes (including credits) and in English or subtitled. The deadline is Nov. 1.
“We are looking for filmmakers with diverse background and interests who will create well-told stories to delight and engage our audience,” said Zachary Tanner, the festival’s submission co-ordinator. “We are looking for young and old, rookies and veterans.”
The VISFF is a juried event, so not all submissions will be selected for showing at VIU’s Nanaimo campus Feb. 6-7. Those selected will receive artist fees and category winners will receive cash prizes.
Whittington said the best thing about entering small festivals is the opportunity to meet other filmmakers to meet people with similar interests and different skills that you could end up working with. He said the VISFF is “like a hub for everyone on Central Vancouver Island.”
For more visit visff.com and orangecorefilms.com