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Celebrate National Canadian Film Day with Long Time Running screening

Arts News: applications open for Arts Whistler awards; winner of writing contest revealed; top comic crowned
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film fun Catch the screening of Long Time Running in Whistler on April 18. Photo submitted

The Whistler Film Festival is celebrating National Canadian Film Day on April 18 with a screening of the documentary Long Time Running.

The film—presented by the festival, Reel Canada and the Maury Young Arts Centre—is about beloved Canadian band the Tragically Hip's final show before the death of its frontman, Gord Downie. It's directed by Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier.

"We are proud to support this national initiative that celebrates Canadian films," says Shawna Hardy Mishaw, executive director of the Whistler Film Festival Society in a release. "This year's selections support our mandate to champion Canadian, and women filmmakers in the industry."

The screening will be free with donation at the door, which opens at 6:30 p.m. Reservations can be made at whistlerfilmfestival_presentslongtimerunning.eventbrite.ca.

WFF, Reel Canada and the Maury Young Arts Centre are also screening the award-winning animated film, The Breadwinner, for students in Grades 5, 6 and 7 at Myrtle Philip Community School and Spring Creek Elementary School.

Applications open for Arts Whistler awards

Calling all local students with creative ambitions: Arts Whistler is currently accepting applications for its 2018 Student Art Awards and bursaries.

Students in Grades 7 and 12 in Whistler, Pemberton and Mount Currie are invited to apply for the awards by Friday, May 6.

This year, for the first time, bursaries will be awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year, as an open application. "Whistler, Pemberton and Mount Currie are home to some impressive young talents," says Mo Douglas, executive director of Arts Whistler, in a release. "We are proud to recognize and support our emerging talent to pursue their chosen art form through our bursary program and reward hard work and dedication through the student art awards. Both programs are designed to foster an interest in the arts and support developing skills."

Each year since 1987, Arts Whistler has handed out awards of $500 to Grade 12 students and $100 to Grade 7 students who have demonstrated artistic achievement in visual, literary, performing and media arts.

Bursaries range from $100 to $250 to contribute to tuition, accommodation, or travel costs associated with studies. Applications are evaluated on financial need, previous training, accomplishment in the discipline and the credibility of the mentor, institute or school that the student is attending.

For more information or to apply visit http://ow.ly/hkpr30javUz.

Award winners revealed

The Whistler Writers Festival announced the winners of its Outdoor Endurance & Survival writing contest last Thursday, April 5.

Alexandra Rochester won the open category for her piece called "How much do you love to ski?" while Irie Smith won the youth category with her poem "I take another step."

Both won a $100 cash prize and will have their work published in the inaugural edition of the new online publication the Sea to Sky Review. They'll also read their works at the Outdoor Endurance & Survival event on Friday, April 13. For more on that event or for tickets visit whistlerwritersfest.com.

Top comic chosen

The Whistler Comedy Showdown crowned a winner during its finals last Thursday, April 5.

First-time competitor Brandon Smith won first place, Josh DeGrandi earned the second spot and Kelsey Hamilton came in third.

This was the stand-up comedy competition's fourth installment.