Two Yellowknife filmmakers will have their work screened in Toronto after winning a contest that gave them only 48 hours to create their final video production.
The contest, dubbed National 48, was presented by Western Arctic Moving Pictures (WAMP) and described on the WAMP website as SA国际影视传媒渁 Canada-wide short film festival that aims to discover, cultivate and celebrate rising Canadian talent in film, music, aural and visual design, and the performing arts.
Jonny Vu and Kai Walden, both from Yellowknife, are the winners and they will now have their works screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Bell Lightbox Theatre as part of the 48-Hour Film Festival.
The contest is in its second year, said Bran Ramsey, executive director of WAMP.
SA国际影视传媒淚t is run in every province or territory in Canada,SA国际影视传媒� Ramsey said of the contest that produced two local winners. SA国际影视传媒淭his year we had four teams and they were judged on cinematography, acting and whether the film was cohesive. Bonus points were given if they added a different language or local music (and) creative freedom reigned.SA国际影视传媒�
Rising talent
For Vu, it was an exciting moment to win the contest because filmmaking is something he has always wanted to do.
His winning entry was No Lo Hagas (DonSA国际影视传媒檛 Do It).
SA国际影视传媒淚 have always loved film. But it was the Spike Jonze film, SA国际影视传媒楬erSA国际影视传媒� that changed my life, for some weird reason. It was a film about a guy going through a divorce and he falls in love with an AI,SA国际影视传媒� Vu said of how his interest in the creative filmmaking process began. SA国际影视传媒淚 remember leaving the theatre and I just had to know everything about it. And I went on YouTube and searched interviews and commentaries and I started spiralling down into how films were made and stuff like that.SA国际影视传媒�
That interest began VuSA国际影视传媒檚 budding filmmaking career.
SA国际影视传媒淚 participated in a few short films in Toronto when I was there a few years ago when I was just starting up. A lot of coworkers asked me when I graduated film school but I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 - I just honestly love it so much that I went on YouTube and was proactive about it,SA国际影视传媒� Vu said of his desire to learn and to become a filmmaker. SA国际影视传媒淵ou just have got to really love what you are doing and then other people can see that as well.SA国际影视传媒�
He said winning the contest will help him stay on his toes and to strike while the iron is hot, which helps him to maintain his creativity.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e got five screenplays going on right now, so I am going to try and shoot some more films.SA国际影视传媒�
Vu said filmmaking in general is a team sport and he was appreciative of his teamSA国际影视传媒檚 support in his filmmaking and he is glad he entered the contest.
SA国际影视传媒淚 am really super happy that everybody was there and I got to meet some new and really cool people. I feel like I am going to be working with them for a long time.SA国际影视传媒�
VuSA国际影视传媒檚 other films include You May Kiss the Bride, Friends That Kill, and A Close Eye.
Now in filmmakersSA国际影视传媒� circle
WaldenSA国际影视传媒檚 winning entry was titled Get the Lead Out. He made his first short film The Possessed Child for the 2019 Dead North Film festival and was nominated for best practical effects.
He continues to make short films and content for his YouTube channel SA国际影视传媒� Blob Dude SA国际影视传媒� and enjoys working with special effects, editing and animation.
In 2022, his short film SA国际影视传媒淟ast HalloweenSA国际影视传媒� took top prize, winning Best Picture at the Okotoks 24-hour horror film competition in Alberta.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was really fun to participate,SA国际影视传媒� Walden said of his newest winning entry. SA国际影视传媒淭he coolest part was to see it on a big screen in the theatre and having an audience watch it.SA国际影视传媒�
Full complement
On the organizational side of things, Ramsey said for the first time ever, WAMP will have a complete governance board of six directors who will support and boost the year-round activities and constant programming that they do annually.
SA国际影视传媒淚t is always good to bring more voices to the table and to help generate more ideas and directions to go and create discourse where there wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 discourse before,SA国际影视传媒� Ramsey said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey have different backgrounds and different expertise levels that it is really exciting and exciting to have more people participating. SA国际影视传媒�
Ramsey said it is great that WAMP is able to offer support to new talent and that the National 48 contest is one example of that.
SA国际影视传媒淯ltimately, the films are great and people are very talented. It is great to see participation and community buy-in and interest.SA国际影视传媒�
