Students from Powell River Digital Film School’s class of 2016 walked away with two awards from the 2016 BC Student Film Festival on Wednesday, May 3, and Thursday, May 4. The two award-winning productions have also been nominated for two Leo Awards, which annually recognize excellence in the BC film and television industry.
The school has always done well during awards season, according to instructor Tony Papa.
“Every year, they win something,” said Papa. “I have to get more shelves to hold the hardware.”
At the student festival, the school’s “Make a New Dance Up,” a music video for Canadian pop band Hey Ocean!, won for best senior music video, as well as for editing and technical achievement.
The video was also nominated for best student video at the upcoming Leo Awards. Perception, a 10-minute web series pilot, was nominated for for best student production. Leo Awards celebration and gala event takes place May 27, June 3 and June 4 in Vancouver.
Perception, a dark film that deals with mental health, was screened at Powell River Film Festival in February. Directed by Langley’s Victoria McDonald, it stars local actors Zoe Ludski, Trevor White, Alma Medina and Caleb Peterson. The 10-minute program was produced by Gibsons’ Jordan Williams.
All students of the school were involved in both productions, including Powell River’s Mason Bowles-Eacott, Celina Jacques, Devin Lessard, Eli Peterson, Ivy Richards and Simona Ulrich.
Powell River Digital Film School is celebrating its 10th anniversary and, according to Papa, every year three or four students go on to post-secondary studies in film or working in the industry.
This year’s class will present their films at 7 pm on June 22 at Max Cameron Theatre.
