Filmmakers have until December 1st to enter the fourth annual Vancouver Island Short Film Festival, a showcase of original films by local filmmakers. Last year’s festival was a huge success, with two back-to-back shows and crowds enjoying 21 incredible short films.

All types of short films (comedy, documentary, animation, etc.) will be accepted for consideration into the festival. Films can be up to 10 minutes long including credits. Submissions must be on Mini-DV, DVD or VHS and labeled with the film title, running time and contact information (name, email and phone number). Mini-DV is preferred. Entries must include release forms from actors/musicians/etc (available at visff.com). Entrants may enter more than one short film, as long as each film includes a separate entry form with entry fee and is on a separate Mini-DV, DVD or VHS tape. The deadline for entries is December 1st, 2008.

The VISFF screenings will be on January 23 and 24, 2009 at the Vancouver Island University theatre in Nanaimo. There will be two screenings of the 15-20 selected films, food, music, and an awards ceremony at the second screening for best films and cash prizes for winning filmmakers. All filmmakers who’s films are showcased at the 2009 VISFF will also receive artist’s fees.

This is a unique and important event in our community - It is the only short film festival on Vancouver Island that showcases local filmmakers. All entries feature local actors, writers, directors, musicians and film technicians. “Our goal is to be as inclusive and as fun as possible,” says festival director Johnny Blakeborough. “This festival gives Vancouver Island filmmakers a unique opportunity to showcase their films in front of a large audience.”

Local filmmakers who have entered in previous years have gone to have their films screened internationally. Nanaimo filmmaker Tash Baycroft’s locally produced dramatic short film “Gone” debuted at the 2007 festival. He has since gone on to rave reviews worldwide, showing at the New York Film and Video Festival and Cannes. Parksville filmmaker Paul Wittington submitted his short animated film “Android 207” to the 2007 festival and won best film, best technical and people’s choice award. This wonderfully crafted film has been shown at the Beloit International Film Festival and the Arizona International Film Festival. It also won awards at the Milwaukee International Film festival including People’s Choice.

Drop off entries at the Nanaimo Arts Council in Nanaimo North-Town Centre or mail to #259, 4750 Rutherford Road, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 4K6.

Click Here to download the VISFF 2009 Guidelines and Entry Form.

For more information, email admin@visff.com or call 250-729-3947.

Click here for more information and to view our sponsorship packages

The third-annual Vancouver Island Short Film Festival was a huge success, with two amazing crowds enjoying twenty-one incredible short films over two nights.

“It was a spectacular night,” said Johnny Blakeborough, festival co-organizer. “We expected a good turnout in our third year, but things went even better than we hoped. We had almost 500 people turn out to the Malaspina Theatre, we put on a great show and got a great response from the crowd. This was the best festival we have done”

Awards were given out in seven categories at the end of the second evening.

de Villiers van Zyl won the Best Film prize for his short “Sticks & Stones” a compelling documentary about a homeless man living in Winnipeg. “Sticks & Stones” also won the award for Best Technical Production.

Graham Stark and Kathleen de Veere won the Best Writing Award for their short comedy “Eyewitness Accounts”, which shows an event at a shopping mall from many perspectives. Stark is the creative force behind LoadingReadyRun.com, a Victoria based website that films and posts a new movie once a week every week and has done so for the past 4 years. Last year, they also won the Best Writing award. In 2006 they won Best Writing, Best Performance and the People’s Choice Award.

Local Actress Niccole Nattrass won the Best Performance Award this year for her very funny role in “Brownie Points” a dialogue originally written for the stage about the world’s oldest living brownie.

The Best Original Music award went to Simon Berman for the movie “Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat”, a psychedelic, experimental film that started off the show.

This year a new category was created to help foster local filmmakers - Best Student Film. Chad Schroter-Gillespie won the award for his black and white experimental film “Bad Brownie”. Chad is a Malaspina Media Studies student and hopes to have a career in film.

The Festival took place on January 18th and 19th at the Malaspina University-College Theatre.

The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is a Nanaimo Arts Council event. For more information, please contact admin@visff.com or 729-3947.

60 original short films were entered into the festival by local filmmakers. A jury selected 21 films that will be shown at the festival on January 18 and 19, 2008 and awarded prizes by a final panel of judges.

“We are thrilled with the quality of films,” said VISFF organizer Johnny Blakeborough.

“It was a tough process, but the final 21 films are excellent. We anticipated some great films, but these exceeded our expectations and should make the festival an event to remember. There are so many talented filmmakers in our community and we are very excited to give them an opportunity to showcase their talents.”

The selected films include Sometimes by Scott Amos, Grass by Scott Amos, Sticks and Stones by deVilliers van Zyl, Love is Blind by Josh Hauca, Traditional Fishing by Harold Joe, Brownie Points by Nicole M. Nattrass, Searching for Wallenberg by Rick Raxlen, 21 Kilograms by Jim Wagner, Outside My Window by Kristen Wald, Bricklayer by Vincent Wells, L19: Disposed by Paul Whittington, Chicken on the Run by Gregory Ball, Dialtone by Gregory Ball, The Secret Life of Toast by Loading Ready Run, Slacking for Gold by Loading Ready Run, A Part of Our Heritage by Loading Ready Run, Eyewitness Accounts by Loading Ready Run, Trailer Dance: A Love Story by Fran Benton, Nice Shoes by John Gardiner, Bad Brownie by Chad Schroter-Gillespie and Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat by Simon Berman.

All short listed films will be shown at the January 18 and 19 screenings with the chance to win awards in several categories. 10 of the films come from 9 Nanaimo filmmakers.

“Our main goal is to turn the spotlight on our talented local filmmakers,” said Blakeborough.

“More than anything, this festival is for them. It’s an opportunity to show their films in front of a large audience.”

The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival will take place on January 18 and 19, 2008 at the Malaspina University-College theatre.

Tickets to the festival are available in the Nanaimo Arts Council Gallery in North Town Centre and Falconer Books in Port Place Mall. The first night of the festival will include a screening of the selected films, while the second night will include a screening of the films and an awards ceremony for best films and prizes for winning filmmakers. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, but last year’s festival sold out very quickly, so everyone is encouraged to buy them in advance. Tickets are $15.

All types of short films were accepted for consideration into the festival. All films had to be 10 minutes or less to be considered.

For more information, contact admin@visff.com

A jury will select the films that will be shown at the festival on January 18^th and 19^th at the Malaspina Theatre and awarded prizes by a final panel of judges.

“We are thrilled with the quality of films,” said VISFF organizer Johnny Blakeborough.

All short listed films will be shown at the January 18^th and 19^th screenings with the chance to win awards in several categories.

“Our main goal is to turn the spotlight on our talented local filmmakers,” said Blakeborough.

“More than anything, this festival is for them. It’s an opportunity to show their films in front of a large audience.”

Last year’s Vancouver Island Short Film Festival was a sold-out success with an amazing, positive response from the audience and the participating filmmakers. Some of the filmmakers said the festival was the best short film showcase they had ever attended.

After 2 years of sold out shows the festival has been expanded this year to include an additional screening. This year’s Vancouver Island Short Film Festival will take place on January 18 and 19 at the Malaspina University College’s main theatre. The festival starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets to the festival will be available in the Nanaimo Arts Council Gallery in Northtown Centre. The festival will include a screening of the selected films, an intermission with concession and an awards ceremony for best films and prizes for winning filmmakers. Tickets will also be available at the door. Tickets are $15.

All types of short films were accepted for consideration into the festival. All films had to be 10 minutes or less to be considered.

The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is a Nanaimo Arts Council event. The Nanaimo Arts Council is dedicated to the promotion, development and support of all the arts in Nanaimo and area.

Information on the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is available on the website at www.visff.com. For more information, contact admin@visff.com or phone 729-3947.

Hayley won the VISFF best acting award for her performance in the 2006 best short film “It Haunts Me” by Richard Olak.

The second-annual Vancouver Island Short Film Festival was a huge success, with a sold out crowd enjoying seventeen incredible short films.

“Things went great,” said John Gardiner, Nanaimo Arts Council program coordinator and festival co-organizer.

“We expected a good turnout in our second year, but things went even better than we hoped. We sold out the Malaspina Theatre, put on a great show and got a great response from the crowd so we decided to put on a second show.”

Awards were given out in six categories at the end of the evening.

Paul Whittington won best film for his short “Android 207″, a stop motion, animated film about an android trapped inside a large maze. “Android 207″ also won awards for best Technical Production and the People’s Choice Award.

Graham Stark and Paul Saunders won the Best Writing Award for the second year in a row for their short comedy “How To Talk Like a Pirate” which is based on cheesy, old educational videos. Stark and Saunders are the creative force behind LoadingReadyRun.com, a Victoria based website that films and posts a new movie once a week every week and has done so for the last two years. Last year, they won the Best Writing award, as well as Best Performance and the People’s Choice Award.

Erik Richardson won the Best Performance Award this year for his role in “All May Be Well”, a dramatic piece about a young teacher coping with his own feelings of disconnection from those around him.

The Best Original Music award went to Ken Biddell for the movie “Dictators on a Plane” an ambitious, locally shot film about an African dictator who hires an English mercenary to restore him to power. Dictators was directed by Steve Fagan and written by Douglas Wolf.

The Festival took place on January 20th at the Malaspina University College Theatre.

The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is a Nanaimo Arts Council event. For more information, please contact admin@visff.com or 729-3947.

44 original short films were entered into the festival by local filmmakers. A jury selected 17 films that will be shown at the festival on January 20th at the Malaspina Theatre and awarded prizes by a final panel of judges.

“We are thrilled with the quality of films,” says Nanaimo Arts Council coordinator John Gardiner

“It was a difficult process, but the final 17 films are excellent. There are so many talented filmmakers in our community and we are very excited to give them an opportunity to showcase their talents.”

The selected films include Gone by Tash Baycroft, Merging Lanes by Brendan Tang, Dictators on a Plane by Steve Fagan, All May Be Well by Matt Smith, How to Get a Man to Love You Forever by Sara Homer and Kim Ross, Impulse by Richard Olak, The Date by Dan Francis and Krista Phillips, Untitled by Richard Olak, Shut up and Listen by Kevin Mazutinec, Kamloops by Jim Wagner, Tristan Kramer and Peter Scobie, Search by de Villiers Van Zyl, On the Water by Jeriiah Patton, How to Talk Like a Pirate by Graham Stark, Android 207 by Paul Whittington, Canada Man by Graham Stark, Monday Morning by Jordan Worrall and Papillon by Linda McDonald.

All short listed films will be shown at the January 20th screening with the chance to win awards in several categories.

“Our main goal is to turn the spotlight on our talented local filmmakers,” says Gardiner.

“More than anything, this festival is for them. It’s an opportunity to show their films in front of a large audience.”

Last year’s Vancouver Island Short Film Festival was a sold-out success with an amazing, positive response from the audience and the participating filmmakers. Some of the filmmakers said the festival was the best short film showcase they had ever attended.

This year’s Vancouver Island Short Film Festival will take place on January 20th at the Malaspina University College main theatre. The festival starts at 7 pm.

Tickets to the festival are available in the Nanaimo Arts Council Gallery in Rutherford Mall. The festival will include a screening of the 17 selected films, an intermission, food, an awards ceriony for best films and prizes for winning filmmakers. Tickets will also be available at the door. Tickets are $10.

All types of short films were accepted for consideration into the festival. All films had to be 10 minutes or less to be considered.

The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is a Nanaimo Arts Council event. The Nanaimo Arts Council is dedicated to the promotion, development and support of all the arts in Nanaimo and area.

Information on the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is available on the website at www.visff.com. For more information, contact admin@visff.com or phone 729-3947.

“Things went great,” said John Gardiner, Nanaimo Arts Council program coordinator. “We expected a lot of support for the festival, but things went even better than expected. Some of the filmmakers said it was the best short film festival they had ever been to, not only for the great audience turnout, but for the quality of the short films. With such a great response, the festival should be even bigger and better next year..”

Awards were given out in six categories at the end of the evening.

Richard J. Olak won best film for “It Haunts Me” in which a man dwells on the memory of his dead girlfriend.

“It’s validating to see people take notice of my work and enjoy it,” said Olak. “I was surprised to win because the competition was so tough throughout. It inspires me to keep going and work even harder because it shows that it pays off in the end.”

“The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival was a much needed event to showcase local talent,” he said.

“It was the most consistent festival I have ever witnessed in terms of the quality of the films and the attendance.”

Three awards went to the filmmaking group from LoadingReadyRun.com, who had three films accepted into the festival.

“We are really proud to have won awards from such a great selection of films,” said Graham Stark, director and writer of 30 Minutes or Less, Quantum Documentary and Suspend Your Disbelief.

Stark and co-writer Paul Saunders won the Best Writing award for 30 Minutes or Less, a film-noir comedy about a hard-nosed pizza delivery man.

“Winning the Best Writing award was a huge surprise and felt wonderful. It’s the kind of thing that really encourages us to keep making movies.”

“It’s really nice to have an island-based festival that focuses on short films,” said Stark.

Stark and the LoadingReadyRun.com team also won the People’s Choice award for Suspend Your Disbelief, a musical that makes fun of musicals.

Two Best Performance awards were given at the festival. Hayley Sales won the first Best Performance Award for her subtle, but powerful work in It Haunts Me, while Andrew Cownden won the second Best Performance Award for his acting abilities in Suspend Your Disbelief.

The winner of Best Technical Production was the Orchid and the Rose, directed by Mark Benard and Dennis Tal at Lost Boys Studios. This film is an incredibly beautiful animated short about the loving relationship between two flowers.

Winner of Best Original Music was The Moment, directed by Katie Chipperfield, Melinda Hranchuk and Syd Woodward. This short documentary is the courageous and deeply moving story of one man’s journey to make peace with himself after a life-altering car accident.

The festival took place on January 21st at the Nanaimo Entertainment Centre, formerly the Caprice Theatre. It was the first event for the venue and the response was excellent.

A second screening of the short films is being considered, as several people were turned away at the door once the theatre was sold out. Check www.visff.com for more details or email admin@visff.com

The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is a Nanaimo Arts Council event. For more information, contact the Nanaimo Arts Council at admin@nanaimoartscouncil.ca