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Variety to sit down with emerging screenwriters at WFF

Museum re-opens, SLCC recognition, Movember gets festival support and Pemby fest ticket sales raise 10K
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Eight of the 10 emerging screenwriters named by Variety magazine as its "10 To Watch" for 2013 will be in conversation at the Whistler Film Festival on Dec. 7.

They are Ned Benson (The Disappearance Of Eleanor Rigby); Lucinda Coxon (Crimson Peak); Andrew Dodge (Bad Words); Kieran Fitzgerald (Bambi); Morgan David Foehl (The Asset); Jennifer Lee (Frozen); Barbara Marshall (The Exorcism Diaries); Michael Mitnick (The Giver); Jonathan Tropper (One Last Thing Before I Go); and Elan Mastai (The F Word).

Absent are Jennifer Lee, who is on press tour for a film, and Ned Benson, who is filming.

"For us to be able to host that event in Whistler is very exciting. What's cool this year, in particular, is our token Canadian in the group, Elan Mastai, wrote The F Word and Daniel Radcliffe, who was one of our honourees last year, is in it... it's a great connection for us," says Shauna Hardy Mishaw, the festival's director.

The screenwriters are in conversation with Steven Gaydos, the executive editor of Variety. They will also receive an award at WFF's Awards Brunch on Dec. 8.

"All great films start with a great story and these people are driving the storytelling and their films have major talent in them," said Hardy Mishaw. "It's very exciting to be able to have an hour with a group like this in conversation."

Variety's 10 To Watch series spotlights emerging writers, actors, producers, directors, comics and cinematographers. A team of Variety editors, critics and reporters selects the honourees.

SLCC program 'Canadian Signature Experience'

The Ambassador Guide program offered by the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) has been recognized by the Canadian Tourism Commission as a Canadian Signature Experience.

The designation is a stamp of quality recognized in the international tourism marketplace. One of 27 companies awarded this honour, the SLCC will be added to the CTC's major market development program.

The Ambassador Guide Tour is the feature experience of the SLCC, with young First Nations ambassadors telling visitors about the legends and culture of the Squamish and Lil'wat people. Over 100,000 people have taken the tour since the centre opened.

Whistler Museum reopens with 'The Evolution of Skiing'

Whistler Museum is launching a new exhibit after being closed for renovations since mid-October.

The Evolution of Skiing looks at Whistler's rise as one of the top mountain resorts in the world, with the displays now set up to resemble a ski cabin. Almost half the museum's space has been renovated, the most significant upgrade for the museum in three years.

The new exhibit will be officially launched at the museum on Nov. 28 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and admission is free.

WSS student is Dry Grad video finalist

Whistler Secondary School Grade 12 student and already seasoned filmmaker Zach Moxley has been chosen as one of five finalists for this year's BCAA Dry Grad Video Challenge.Moxley's short is WSS's official entry, with the winner of the competition taking home $6,000.

Public voting for the winner on the BCAA website opened Nov. 27. For more information and to vote visit bcaa.com/campaigns/dry-grad/dry-grad/overview

Pemberton Festival early bird tickets sellout, raise $10K for Movember

Early bird tickets for the 2014 Pemberton Music Festival sold out in under four hours after they went on sale on Friday, Nov. 22.

A portion of the tickets sales totalling over $10,000 was raised for the Movember Foundation, an organization that raises awareness and funds for research into prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men's mental health initiatives.

HUKA entertainment, which is behind the festival, announced the lineup would be named in early 2014.

All festival ticket pricing can be found at www.pembertonmusicfestival.com.