Festivals : Vancouver : Meet The Filmmakers

26 Sept 2004

The Meet The Filmmakers series of panels and talks, between 30th September to 6th October, provides many opportunities for filmmakers, particularly new filmmakers, to hone their understanding of the craft and business.

Organised by Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society, Documentary Organization of Canada - Vancouver Chapter, Praxis Centre for Screenwriters, Women In Film Video, The Digital Film Group and The Vancouver International Film Festival each event is absolutely free. The venue is the Cineworks Studio at the Pacific Cinémathèque, 1131 Howe St., Vancouver, B.C.

A Conversation with Don McKellar - Thursday, September 30th - 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Since his debut as writer/actor in Roadkill 1989, Don McKellar has been at the forefront of innovative Canadian cinema and television. As a director, writer and actor, his peculiar stylings and endearing characters have embedded themselves into Canadian culture. Join us for this rare and intimate dialogue with Don McKellar, attending this year's VIFF with his most recent project, CHILDSTAR.

A Conversation with Daniel MacIvor - Sunday, October 3rd, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Having carved a recognizable theatrical presence across Canada as a playwright with offbeat award winning works like "House" and "Marion Bridge", Daniel MacIvor, following the success of "Past Perfect" - his first feature, continues to write, direct and act in "Wilby Wonderful".

The Challenges of Making Process Documentaries - Saturday October 2nd, 2:00pm ­ 3:30pm
Moderator: John Ritchie (The Ties that Bind)
Panelists: Susan Smiley (Out of the Shadow), Todd Pottinger (Big City Dick), Jean-Henri Meunier (As Life Goes By)

This panel will discuss what it takes to make a documentary that films for 5, 7 or even 10 years.

Acting on the Canadian Landscape - Saturday October 2nd, 4:30pm ­ 6:00pm
Moderator: Jacqueline Samuda
Panelists: Babz Chula (Seven Times Lucky), Ingrid Veninger (The Limb Salesman), Emily Hampshire & Jacob Tierney (Blood)

This panel brings together some of our most outstanding actors to discuss their crafts and their perspective on Canadian cinema.

The Short of It - Sunday October 3rd, 2:00pm ­ 3:30pm
Moderator: Sue Biely (acquisitions editor for ZED)
Panelists: William B Davis (Packing Up), Trish Neufeld (The Porcelain Pussy), Dylan Akio Smith (Man Feel Pain) and Shea Wageman (A Clown¹s Gift)

Funding, finishing and screening independent short films in Canada. Learn from the people who are making it happen!

Documenting Artists and the Artistic Process - Sunday October 3rd, 4:30pm ­ 6:00pm
Moderator: Michelle Bjornsson
Panelists: Maryte Kavaliauskas (David Hockney: The Colours of Light), Jennifer Yu (In the Realms of the Unreal), Laurence Green (Alter Egos)

Our three panelists will speak about the challenges of trying to portray the artistic process of one medium using the tools of another.

Changing the World Through Documentary - Monday October 4th, 2:30pm ­ 4:00pm
Moderator: TBA
Panelists: Anne Aghion (In Rwanda We Say..., Gacaca, Living Together Again in Rwanda), Yoav Shamir (Checkpoint).

The long-standing documentary tradition of socio-political filmmaking is thriving in our Bush-era world of increasing mass media monoculture.

Featuring BC - Monday October 4th, 4:30pm ­ 6:00pm
Moderator: TBA
Panelists: Mark A. Lewis (Ill Fated), Bill Marchant (Everyone), Blaine Thurier (Male Fantasy), Vic Sarin (Deluxe Combo Platter)

From the feature film debuts of Mark A. Lewis and Bill Marchant, to the work of Blaine Thurier and veteran cinematographer/director Vic Sarin, this panel celebrates what it is to be a filmmaker in British Columbia.

The Artful Short - Tuesday October 5th, 4:30pm ­ 6:00pm
Moderator: Peg Campbell
Panelists: John Bolton (Beethoven Opus 59 No 3 Allegro Molto) Katrin Bowen (Almost Forgot My Bones), Daniel Conrad ( 7 Universal Solvents), Steve Rosenberg (Corona Station)

This panel looks at the advantages the short form provides, in terms of opportunities for innovative modes of storytelling.

Women and Docs - A Natural Partnership - Wednesday October 6th, 2:00pm ­ 3:30pm
Moderator: Rina Fraticelli
Panelists: Caroline Martel (The Phantom of the Operator), Diana Wilson (100% Woman, Being Caribou), Kalsang Dolma (What Remains of Us), Trish Dolman (Exit Kingsway).

Though women have been enjoying success in documentary filmmaking for many years, this panel is sure to be an interesting look at the success of, and reasons behind, today¹s women documentary filmmakers.

Note: The Digital Dish has been cancelled.

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