Supporting the advancement of youth is a big part of the annual Powell River Film Festival. Adventures in Film Camp runs during the festival, where students learn about storytelling, filmmaking and editing while discussing important social issues, and create a one-minute film over the course of two days.
The students’ activities are guided by professionals who conceive, script, produce and edit their films. This year’s mentors include Tony Papa, Carmen Pollard, Meghna Haldar and Zoe Ludski, co-facilitating with Devin Pielle, and Shannon Hagen.
This year the festival welcomes camp participants from Sooke, Campbell River, Pender Harbour, Powell River, Richmond, Burnaby, Langley, Port Moody and New Westminster.
Camp director Megan Dulcie Dill says the camp is an excellent opportunity for local film students.
"They get to meet with students from around BC to create, collaborate and bring a film to completion in just two days of quick action,” says Dulcie Dill.
Powell River Film Festival also reaches out to youth in the province with a five-minute film contest, open to all BC residents under the age of 19. Winners will be screened alongside the Adventures in Film Camp films.
Local filmmaker Tai Ulhmann, co-director of last year’s festival hit The End of the Road, is one of the judges, joining fellow local filmmakers Claudia Medina and Peg Campbell.
"It was exciting to get into the minds of teenagers and see what they care about,” says Ulhmann, “and how they interface with technology within the films they created, as well as how they chose to produce the film.”
Finished films the students have produced over the course of the intensive three-day camp, along with the five-minute film contest winners, will be screened at The Patricia Theatre during Youth Perspectives on Sunday, February 18, at 10 am. Admission is by donation.
“Supporting our youth and giving them encouragement in their craft is as simple as attending these films,” says executive director Gary Shilling, “sharing their enthusiasm, applauding their work and chomping on some popcorn.”
Youth Perspectives
When: 10 am, Sunday, February 18
Where: The Patricia Theatre
Price: admission by donation
Info: prfilmfestival.ca
