I’m here in Dawson City, Yukon, just finishing up at the 12th Annual Dawson City International Short Film Festival. What a wonderful festival this has been! You can catch up on all that we’ve been up to by checking out the following blogs:
The KIAC blog:
http://kiacblog.wordpress.com/
Vancouver’s short film enthusiast Kellie-Anne Benz’s blog:
http://theshortsreport.blogspot.com/
I opened the festival with a performance/screening of PAINTED HOUSES. What a treat it was to perform for a packed audience in the KIAC Ballroom. There were so many fun moments throughout the screening. Everyone made a racket during Sherry Ryan and Phil Goodland’s YUM, creating their own percussion with chairs, beer bottles, feet and hands. There were many awwws in the room during Roger Maunder’s heartwarming DREAMS IN BLACK AND WHITE. People roared with laughter during Ruth Lawrence’s JELLY BEANS. I shed a few tears while performing the showcase because it warmed my heart so much to share this work of love which involved so much talent from St. John’s. My only wish is that all of the filmmakers involved could have been here to experience the festival with me.
I can’t say enough great things about this year’s film festival. I feel truly fortunate to have been invited to be a part of it. What I especially love about the Dawson City International Short Film Festival is how it highlights short films by not only established filmmakers but also of emerging filmmakers. We are taught that there is magic to be found in every creation. The sky is the limit in Dawson City and this place inspires creativity like no other place in Canada. Every person needs to experience Dawson City at least once in their lifetime, especially is they are an artist.
Thanks to Dan Sokolowski and all of the fine folks at KIAC for yet another magical film festival experience. It’s hard to put into words how I feel right now. It may take some time to process all of the wonderful experiences I have been having out here. All I can say is that I am extremely fortunate to be here and how I wish I could stop time so that I could stay a little longer. I’m already thinking of how I can get back to this wonderful town to be a part of future year festivals.