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WFF grows and transforms in 10th year

A newly expanded Whistler Film Festival kicks off on Dec. 1 this year, running for five days instead of the four in previous years.

A newly expanded Whistler Film Festival kicks off on Dec. 1 this year, running for five days instead of the four in previous years. Celebrating the festival's 10 th anniversary this year, organizers have decided to rechristen the annual industry component of the event, transforming what was formerly known as the Whistler Filmmaker Forum into the Whistler Summit.

"The newly named Whistler Summit expands the increasingly popular industry conference which has developed a reputation as the place to do business and connect with decision makers in North America," Whistler Summit Program Manager, Angela Heck, explained in a recent press release. "With borders breaking down like never before, we are able to attract key international executives interested in meeting and doing business with Canadian producers."

The Whistler Summit attracts a wide range of producers from around the world who are looking to move their projects forward in an increasingly competitive international environment. This year's schedule features a series of producer roundtable sessions, panel discussions, speaker series, one-on-one meetings, interactive workshops, and networking events designed to provide a range of professional development and networking opportunities for filmmakers. Organizers expect more than 500 industry delegates representing over 100 companies and five countries to attend this year.

In addition to the industry aspect of the event, the 2010 WFF will feature more than 80 films from Canada and around the world, including premieres from some of North America's top directors. Other events include tributes to filmmakers and the annual Celebrity Challenge ski race.

Early bird industry registration, passes and accommodation packages went on sale on Sept. 1, and will be available online until Oct. 31. The full festival lineup and schedule will be announced on Nov. 1, with individual film and special event tickets going on sale online exclusively for American Express card members that same day. General ticket sales begin on Nov. 18. For more information on the festival, visit www.whistlerfilmfestival.com.

 

More film fun for Whistler residents

 

The Whistler Public Library is getting in on the independent film action, launching a new film series earlier this month.

Through a new subscription to the Film Movement series, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the library will screen a foreign or art film on a monthly basis. Film Movement is a group that scours the world's top film festivals looking for the best films from thousands of entries. All films will be screened in their original language, with English subtitles. And seeing as they are unrated, they aren't recommended for children under the age of 18.

Through a new subscription, the WPL will have a new award-winning film sent to them each month. Then, after a free screening, the film will be added to the library's collection for patrons to check out with their library card.

The first screening in the series is Storm , a political thriller directed by Hans-Christian Schmid. The film tells the story of Hannah Maynard, prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, as she leads a trial against a former commander of the Yugoslav National Army who is accused of the deportation and killing of dozens of Bosnian-Muslim civilians. When a key witness commits suicide, it looks like the case will unravel. But Hannah refuses to give in. Hoping to uncover new evidence, she travels to the witness's burial in Sarajevo and meets his sister Mira, who she senses has much more to say than she is willing to admit.

The first WPL screening takes place on Monday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. in the community room. Admission is free.

 

Calling all artists...

 

The Whistler Arts Council is looking for any and all talented artists who are interested in being part of the community's original arts party, also known as ARTrageous.

The annual artistic extravaganza, which takes place on Thursday, Nov. 11 this year, features live music, costumes, creation stations, live art and much more. It is hosted every year as part of Cornucopia, Whistler's celebration of fine wine and food. The crème de la crème of the local arts scene, this affair sells out every year.

And this year, organizers have decided to take attendees back to the time of rock 'n' roll, poodle skirts and sock hop with the theme of "The Good Old Days." They'll be transforming their venue, Dusty's, into a 1950's soda shop with loads of rock 'n' roll rhythms, and they're looking for a few artists to help make the night a real visual treat. Artwork can reflect the overall theme of the 1950s, an art movement from that era, or artists can create work based completely on their own interpretation of The Good Old Days (Think: old childhood memories, photographs, posters and ads). And just about anything goes, in terms of medium: pieces can range from portraiture and landscape to pop art, contemporary, street art or even art installations and sculptures.

Anyone interested in submitting artwork for the event should go to www.artswhistler.com and fill out an artist application and find out more about the submission process. Applications must be received by Thursday, Sept. 30.

 

Making good on the gaming grants

 

The provincial Ministry of Housing and Social Development recently announced that it would fully fund the organizations that received three-year community gaming grants. In a Sept. 3 press release Minister Rich Coleman said that more than 175 organizations across the province "will receive grants to foster talent and support events that celebrate local traditions and customs."

For 2010-2011, the provincial government has budgeted a total of $120 million, which will go to approximately 6,000 organizations that support people in need, public safety, youth arts and sports, education and parent and district advisory councils. Under the category of Arts and Culture fall youth programs, fairs and festivals that are suitable for all ages and celebrate community, regional or cultural characteristics, while museums and historical societies are also eligible for funding.

Back in April, the provincial government combined the bingo affiliation and direct access grants into the Community Gaming Grant program in order to "ensure all community groups have fair and equitable access to gaming funds." This round of grants includes payments honouring multi-year grant commitments made prior to the Community Gaming Grant program.

There are three organizations in Whistler that will receive additional funding: the Whistler Arts Council, which gets $6,000; Whistler Museum and Archives Society receives $22,200; and the Whistler Skating Club receives $17,500, for a grand total of $45,700 for local events and groups.

 

Saving our Art Workshops

 

Recent budget cuts to the provincial B.C. Arts Council and Gaming Grants have impacted a range of arts and cultural organizations throughout the province, including one of Whistler's popular arts programs, the annual Arts Workshops on the Lake.

The Whistler Arts Council (WAC) program just wrapped up its fifth season, offering two- to four-day workshops in a range of visual arts, led by world-renowned professional artists from across the country. The workshops take place throughout the summer at the rustic lakeside setting of the Alta Lake Station House.

Now, WAC is asking art lovers and patrons to come out and support this popular program by attending a fundraising event at Nita Lake Lodge on Sunday, Sept. 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The event will feature a raffle of original artwork created by emerging and professional artists, including some of the Art Workshops instructors. Raffle tickets for the small canvases are $50 each, and as people's names are drawn, they choose a piece of artwork on a "first come, first served" basis (which means that anyone who buys a ticket is guaranteed to go home with a painting.)

The evening will also feature a cash bar, complimentary appetizers and a chance to mingle with fellow artists and supporters of the arts. Tickets to the event are $15, and raffle tickets are $50. Contact WAC to purchase your tickets by calling 604-935-8410.