Whistler Watch

This content was taken directly from the Whistler Film Festival Newsletter. WWW.WHISTLERFILMFESTIVAL.COM

OVER 7,500 ATTENDED WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL & FILMMAKER FORUM
Results confirm Festival’s reputation as the place to build industry relationships and discover new films

The 2008 Whistler Film Festival, which wrapped up Sunday night, has solidified its position as a leader on the Festival circuit with a total attendance, including the Whistler Filmmaker Forum, of over 7,596 people (a 7% increase over 2007), an 80% increase in scheduled meetings and a 30% increase in the number of premieres presented.

The Filmmaker Forum attracted 646 attendees and total DOC TALK attendance (including Pitch Fest West, the Keynote Luncheons, panels and meetings) was 295. Both events were on par with 2007 in terms of attendance. Scheduled meetings that took place during the Filmmaker Forum increased significantly to 376 (up from 209 in 2007). There was also a notable increase in unscheduled meetings that took place outside of scheduled blocks that proves the festival has become the place to meet and do business.

“Overall, it is the intimate nature, unique content and festive vibe that sets Whistler apart,” says Festival Director Shauna Hardy Mishaw. “We had some of Canada’s most accomplished filmmakers and industry professionals in our midst. The BC industry came out in force and there was strong representation from five other provinces with film commissioners and industry from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec in attendance. The calibre of international participants was also very high and relevant connections were made that will ultimately result in projects getting made. The addition of the Whistler Summit and Canadian Music Showcase co-presented by transmission was spirited and well received, and it showed that music and film are a good mix in the mountains.”

Close to 1,000 people attended the sold out Opening Gala screening of One Week with other sell out and near sell out screenings included Fifty Dead Men Walking, Kidz Shorts, Dim Sum Funeral, Waltz with Bashir, Girlfriend Experience, Shortfest 1, 2 & 3, Yonkers Joe, Before Tomorrow, Black Balloon, Nurse. Fighter. Boy, Surveillance, Sledhead, Journey of a Red Fridge, and Last Chance Harvey. All of the special events, including the Tribute to Donald Sutherland and Festival Party, were also either sold out or well attended.

“Since we created the Borsos Competition four years ago, we have been trying to get Donald Sutherland to be the President of the Jury, so to have it finally happen was monumental,” says Bill Evans, Director of Programming. “To have filmmakers Ron Mann, Bruce McDonald, Patricia Rozema and Sturla Gunnarsson all rubbing shoulders with our Borsos competition filmmakers was also significant. We definitely consider 2008 to be a banner year in terms of the quality of films, the full theatres, the enthusiastic audience response and the overwhelming positive feedback from the filmmakers themselves.”

The 2008 Whistler Film Festival took place from December 4 to 7 showcased 92 films, including 37 feature and mid-length films and 55 shorts, with five world premieres, eight Canadian premieres, and nineteen British Columbia premieres, and over $42,00 in prizes and commissions were awarded. Festival highlights include record number of sponsored parties and special events.

The 2008 Whistler Filmmaker Forum took place December 3 to 6 and presented 16 interactive sessions that addressed a range of issues affecting the film, television and new media industry, complimented by digital product demonstrations and networking opportunities including one-on-one meetings, roundtable sessions and receptions.

SAVE THE DATES! THE WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL AND FILMMAKER FORUM RETURN DECEMBER 2-6, 2009.