What: 9 th Annual Sea to Sky Film Festival
Where: Eagle Eye Theatre (Squamish)
When: Friday, Sept. 24
Tickets: $8/$5
The lineup is an increase from last years 11-film offering, however festival director and creator Adriane Polo said the overall running time will be similar since this years films are shorter on the whole.
"We have a lot more variety this year," commented Polo. "We went with more fantasy and myth and more comedy. Were heavy on comedy.
"Its got to do with the general audience and the general audience likes comedy and drama the best."
A feature filmmaker and childrens theatre director from the Howe Sound area, Polo started the annual festival as a way to expose the average filmgoer in Squamish to a more quirky, non-Hollywood style of filmmaking.
With this in mind, even the two experimental "art films" included in this years festival have been selected to have wide appeal.
All films are what Polo considers "rated G." Special efforts were taken to build a lineup with no foul language and no nudity. One entry from West Vancouver considered brilliant by festival programmers was axed due to an effusive use of the "F-word." Even the risque-themed experimental entry The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is suitable for a mainstream audience, Polo assured.
While last years lineup included films from California and Australia, this year is an all-Canadian affair with four Quebecois films and one entry each from Toronto and White Fox, Sask. The remainder hails from B.C., mostly the Lower Mainland, with the exception of The Story of Whistler Mountain , a world premiere documentary by Edward Homer of Gabriola Island. Polo is confident most of the B.C. directors will be in attendance.
The films will compete for prizes in drama, comedy, documentary and experimental categories, judged by a festival panel. The event will be hosted by Mountain FM personality Steve Hainsworth.
The festival is more than twice the age of Whistlers four-year-old film festival, although it remains a fraction of the size and scope. But Polo asserts that the local mindset is served by the events intimacy.
"Were smaller," she stated matter of factly. "And were geared more toward the audience in Squamish. Whistler gears toward worldly audiences. We do it very much for a local audience and thats the difference. Its more indigenous to Squamish and what we would like to see here."
The 9 th Annual Sea to Sky Film Festival screens at 7 p.m. at Squamishs Eagle Eye Theatre next Friday, Sept. 24. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 students and seniors, available in advance from Mostly Books and Highland Video and at the venue.
For more information call 604-898-5930.
SIDEBAR
9th Annual Sea to Sky Film Festival lineup
(WP indicates a world premiere screening)
Trois Façons
Steve Asselin - Que.
(Drama) 5:00 min
Loose adaptation of the literary work Thus Spoke Zarathustra , by
Nietzsche.
Simple Favour (WP)
Gary Hawes - Vancouver, B.C.
(Comedy) 12:00 min
In order to commit his long-time girlfriend, Steve must know that she will be faithful. To find out the answer he enlists the help of his best friend Phil.
This Bleeding Place
Susan Cormier - Burnaby, B.C.
(Drama) 5:35 min
As a young woman repaints the apartment where she and her abusive former partner used to live, her strokes are significantly out of synch with her present situation.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Terry Mialkowsky - White Fox, Sask.
(Experimental) 10:00 min
Henry and Olivia exchange gifts of suicide in this grimly beautiful retelling of the classic O. Henry Christmas story The Gift of the Magi .
The Mall Man
Matthew J. Blecha - N. Vancouver, B.C.
(Comedy) 15:00 min
A comedy about a disgruntled mall security guard who finds new meaning by helping a reality TV show hostess and her uptight husband make it to their fertility clinic appointment.
L'Empire du Brien
Louis-Andre Lebrun - Que.
(Documentary) 5:00 min
The Faust myth is examined as it applies to the human condition.
Le Horla
Philippe Gagnon - Que.
(Drama) 5:00 min
Based on the novel "Le Horla", the story deals with a man testing his reality.
The Story of Whistler Mountain (WP)
Edward Homer - Gabriola, B.C.
(Documentary) 30:00 min
From secluded wilderness to world class resort with an Olympic future a look at the largest ski facility in North America over the past 40 years.
Pits
Gary Hawes - Vancouver, B.C.
(Comedy) 8:00 min
Already running late for his interview at a prestigious law firm, Adam
Chapin soon discovers that he has two large sweat stains on his dress shirt. Determined to make a strong first impression, he tries to solve his sweaty problem before going in.
Icare
Stephane Houle - Que.
(Drama) 5:00 min
Dramatic short film exploring the myth of Icarus.
Road Kill
Gary Hawes - Vancouver, B.C.
(Comedy) 10:00 min
Three buddies are on their way to the perfect barbecue until they run over a raccoon.
Headlessness (WP)
Luke Gustafson - Vancouver, B.C.
(Experimental) 3:39 min
Animated experimental film about a lone monk on a pilgrimage to the 'holy mountain' who has psychedelic visions of dissemination. The film uses drawn and flash animation.
The Obstacle Course
Cameron Tingley - Toronto, Ont.
(Comedy) 5:22 min
Inside a modern convenience store aggressive advertising displays and seductive point-of-purchase gimmicks compete for the attention of the vulnerable consumer.