Supporting the advancement of youth is a big part of the annual Powell River Film Festival, now in its 16th year. At the festival’s Adventures in Film Camp, student filmmakers learn about storytelling, filmmaking and editing while discussing important social issues.
The camp program is made available to all students in the province, with support from their local Rotary clubs.
This year’s mentors and presenters include filmmakers Tony Papa, Claudia Medina, Mikaela Schiess, Joe Shields, Terry L. Brown, Jeff Chiba Stearns and Mike Schoenhals.
As a group, the students and mentors embody a broad range of specialties and passions, says film festival youth program director Megan Dulcie Dill.
“It is an immersive filmmaking experience where the students make connections with filmmakers, media educators and each other,” says Dulcie Dill. “It is a courageous thing they are doing and they are often really nervous. It can be the first time that something they create is shown on a public movie screen.”
Under the mentors’ guidance, students learn about a wide range of techniques, including everything from underwater photography to digital animation. Each mentor works with a crew of students to produce a short film shot at locations around Powell River and edited at Powell River Digital Film School.
The completed student works will screen at 10:30 am on Sunday, February 19, in a presentation entitled Fresh Perspectives. Showcasing the results of the three-day student film camp, the morning screening takes place at Patricia Theatre with admission by donation.
“Supporting our youth and giving them encouragement in their craft is as simple as attending these films, sharing their enthusiasm, applauding their work and chomping on some popcorn,” says film festival marketing specialist Gary Shilling.
According to its website, Powell River Film Festival “brings a world of film to the Sunshine Coast.” In addition to running the student film camp, the festival highlights independent local filmmakers, Canadian directors and international gems.
This year’s festival presents a mosaic of diverse films, says Shilling, and runs until Sunday afternoon.
Powell River Film Festival: Fresh Perspectives
When: 10:30 am, Sunday, February 19
Where: Patricia Theatre
Price: By donationhttp://www.prfilmfestival.ca
Info: prfilmfestival.ca
