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WFF looking for films

So you've poured all your energy into making a film, devoting every spare minute to the project - plus every single paycheque so you're eating Whiskas for breakfast - because the art is all that matters. And now it's finally finished. What do you do?

Well, the Whistler Film Festival has placed its call for submissions for this year's annual showcase, running from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4. It will feature up to 40 feature films and 40 shorts.

"We're looking for independent films of all shapes and sizes demonstrating distinct visions, unique perspectives and fresh new voices," reads an official press release.

So that means your Bigfoot murder mystery might just be a perfect fit! And not only that, it may be eligible for two competitions: the $15,000 Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature - presented by the Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia - which "celebrates independent vision, original directorial style and the diversity of talent found in Canadian independent film; and the $10,000 New Voices International Feature Competitions, which showcases international films by first- or second-time directors.

There's also the World Documentary Competition, the shortwork Competition and the Student shortwork Competition.

Short film deadline is this Friday (July 8). Feature film deadline is July 22 and the late film deadline is Aug. 5. Get editin'!

More information is available at www.whistlerfilmfestival.com.

See-pak Chopra!

Deepak Chopra, guru extraordinaire, is in town to spread his own brand of peace and wisdom. His foundation, the Chopra Foundation, is hosting a week-long, $2,700-plus Seduction of Spirit Meditation Retreat at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, which started last Sunday.

The itinerary for the retreat has included the various meditation practices and yoga techniques that have allowed Chopra to navigate the troubled waters of inner strife and discover the vast continents of tranquility that are the inspiration for all those people who buy his books by the millions.

He'll be giving talks today (Thursday) and on Friday but unfortunately these are closed to the public. But he can be seen wandering (or perhaps levitating?) through the Fairmont lobby from time to time, so those eager to catch a glimpse of serenity manifest can skulk around the hotel and wait for him to appear.

For the record

Two weeks ago, we reported that ticket and hotel packages for Jazz on the Mountain at Whistler will be available starting Aug. 1, based on comments made by festival producer Arnold Schwisberg during his presentation to council on June 21.

These packages have actually been available for a number of weeks now but Aug. 1 is the early bird pricing deadline. Those prices range from $329 per person for 3-star accommodation and $368 for 4-star accommodation.