For almost 10 years, young filmmakers have been impressing a Powell River Film Festival juror with keen insights into the teenage mind, and an occasional glimpse of extraordinary vision.
As part of the festival, filmmakers under 19 years of age are invited to submit digital offerings to the 5-Minute Film Contest.
“I see a lot of teen angst, raw comedy and the occasional music video,” said contest juror George Johnson, “but sometimes there’s one that’s different or does things a little better.”
A filmmaker with a background in documentary filmmaking with National Film Board of Canada, Johnson said although contest submissions tend to fall into the same categories each year, there is occasionally one that stands out.
“As a filmmaker, I like seeing people experiment and try something different,” he said. “There are some good, young filmmakers.”
This year’s contest winner, Senescence, filmed by a group from Langley Fine Arts School, was immediately recognized by Johnson as being one of those unique films.
“I saw it and knew this one was just doing something different,” he said. “I knew my feeling was correct when I saw the other juror, who is not a filmmaker, saw it too.”
Senescence, along with a selection of other contest-winning pieces, will be shown at the festival. In addition to exposing the winners’ work to additional critical eyes, the festival also gives young artists the opportunity to attend the event at the invitation of Rotary Club of Powell River. The winners are invited to attend the festival’s Adventures in Film Camp at a reduced rate.
“There aren’t many places where kids can submit films and get critiques,” said Johnson. “I am glad this festival has this contest, as I am sure it has made the difference to these young people over the years.”
This year’s other winners are: second place, Proud Daughter (documentary); third place, Kim and Karl’s Kung Fu Kicksplosion (comedy); and fourth place, In Time (music video). Honourable mention went to Work on Words (public service announcement/message) and Sky’s the Limit (comedy).
Several five-minute films will be shown before the 7 pm film festival feature screening of The Amina Profile on Friday, February 19, and again at festival’s 15th anniversary party on Saturday, February 20.
