Ready to make your mark in movie-making? Then you may want to recharge those blown-out battery packs, check the camera settings and pull together a team for the second Filmmaker Showdown that’s less than a month away.
The event forms part of the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival and organizers have put out the call for entries. Open to pros and amateurs, the deadline to confirm participation is Thursday, April 3 and the Showdown gala will be held April 16 at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
This event is not for the flippant or faint-hearted. The Showdown challenges teams or individuals to shoot, edit and produce their own film in 72 hours. Filmmakers will be required to attend a meeting in Whistler on Friday, April 11, following which they’ll have three days to complete a 4 minute, 30 second package. With so much to accomplish in so little time, strong teamwork and discipline will undoubtedly take a key role. Only work completed during the timeframe will be accepted. An independent judging panel will view all entries and six will be chosen to screen at the Showdown gala.
The event provides a unique venue for filmmakers of all levels of experience to showcase their talent under the immense pressure of producing their work in a restricted timeframe. Entrants can be either established legends in film, or aspiring young filmmakers looking for that big break. In fact, last year’s winning film, a comedy called The Last Cigarette by Mirrorball Productions, has risen to fame since its debut at the Showdown.
Directed by Martin Prihoda, with teammates Lorna Carmichael and Ryan Harris, the film went on to win the 2002 Giggle Shorts Film Festival, in Toronto and came second in the 2002 West Fest Short Film Festival in Abilene, Texas. Since then it has travelled with the comedy and short film circuit throughout North America.
Entries and inquiries should be directed to Tamsyn Morote, Multimedia Events Co-ordinator for WSSF. Call 604-905-2799 or e-mail tam@inspiredgroup.com
