The fantastical notion of perpetuating the fine art of cinema while truly finding time to enjoy it (aka Why Film Fest is great!)

It's true and may just be a little bit sad (depending who you are), our World is changing, even faster than we can now buy tickets online to our most anticipated film festival movies (I know, pretty fast right?) Blockbuster is dead, succumbing to the ever mighty and all powerful Netflix, which will be making it's appearance up in the Great White North in just a matter of months now, taking with it all prospects of the once revered video store (hang in there Casablanca and bird dog!) and instilling itself as symbol of the times. It seems these days we would rather engage in mindless consumption of the free, cheap, and readily available. In fact there may come a day when we step outside into the bright sun and realize what we've done! Record stores are going extinct, cinemas have become cineplexes parading superimposed three dimensional remakes of remakes upon their overly silvery screens. Is there no solace from this madness?

Fear not good people! There is, and it is relatively inexpensive and believe me oh-so-worth-it. There will be many wonderful people yelling and crying and laughing altogether. There will be unreasonably addictive popcorn among other unreasonably delectable savouries. There will be theatres so old that you feel young again! And most importantly there will be movies. Not just any movies though! Like the advertisements read: Only the best movies make it. It would almost be fair to rephrase that to : Only ALL of the best movies make it. The selection of films is as diverse as ever with a healthy amount of local and Canadian talent to make us proud and to remind us that Calgary is much more than drunken cowboys in July, steak, and oil. The lineup also includes a strong selection of American independent cinema, global films, shorts, documentaries and more than the eyes, ears, and mind can behold! Take that netflix. There's a little of everything for everyone it seems, and if you are a true cinephile, well, then there really is everything.

The Film festival is much more than an individual viewing of recorded images on a screen. It is truly a collective appreciation of art. An "all together" celebration of the odd, the forgotten, and the inspiring. It is the manifestation of intentions, the temporary uprising of a certain special community that you'll miss when it disappears just two weeks after it sprung up, seemingly out of nowhere, and that you'll love coming back to the next go round!

So do not run to the hills and far away. Hell, don't even throw out your television. Simply dash over to Festival centre in Eau Claire, or find that little possibly coloured link online that assures you that you can purchase tickets if you click on it (you can), and just do it! Buy the ticket, take the ride. It'll be a good one.

Everything film fest and more can be found at: www.calgaryfilm.com

The festival itself runs from September 23rd through until October 3rd.

A Special Event If You're Interested In Filmmaking

Take a seat, tomorrow morning, at the Cantos Music Room (Second Floor, 134 11 Avenue S.E.) if you are planning on making or have a film you're looking to exploit. CIFF has brought together a fantastic line-up of industry experts to give you great insight as you embark upon your first or next filmmaking journey.

These two back-to-back sessions are worth their weight in gold and yet the price of admission is just $5. per program. It's rare to be able to attend a pair of industry panel sessions of this calibre without being a delegate at a costly trade show, so, if you're free tomorrow morning, be sure to attend. It would also be fascinating for anyone wanting deeper insight into the creative process of Directing, Producing and Distributing independent films.

Up first at 10 am is "The Art of Filmmaking", with an 80-minute run time. The focus of this discussion is on direction, with topics ranging from point-of-view to finding your voice and expressing ideas through cinema. The Panellists will talk about vision, expressiveness, style and how to put your own unique look on film. The panel is moderated by Filmmaker David Christensen, Executive Producer of the NFB, North West Centre, with featured guest Directors from the Mavericks Competition: Chris Chong (Karaoke), Damien Chazelle (Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench) and Nicolas Perada (Juntos).

Then, at 11:30 am, "Financing and Selling Your Film in the Digital Age" will look at the challenges faced by independent producers who are increasingly looking to non-traditional sources and partners to finance their films in these tough economic times. The session will also focus on changes to the traditional model of film distribution and how filmmakers can build audience within the new models such as Video on Demand, day & date distribution and online communities. Moderated by Calgary based Film Producer Shirley Vercruysse (Burns Films Ltd.) the panelists are: Tom Alexander (Mongrel Media), Robin Smith (KinoSmith Films), Aida LiPera (Visit Films and CIFF Mavericks Juror) and Slava Rubin (Indiegogo.com). This session will run 60-minutes and should be interesting, considering the range of traditional to emerging means of film marketing channels these guests utilize in their businesses.

That's Saturday October 3rd at Cantos. Here's a map:

(Diane Bennett is covering Events, Headliners & Music on Film)

YYC - In Competition #2 (Romanceformers)

Ok so here is the second film in Competition at the 3rd Annual YYC Competition. 

A Perfect Example of why we need your films. Please send your film in!!!