I travelled to Atlantic Film Festival a few weeks ago. A film I had written, Kathy, was premiering, and at the last minute I decided to head on over to the fest. My trip was short, but luckily all the films I saw were, too. I was in Halifax for one evening and one full day, which allowed me to take in three “Atlantic Shorts” programs. I ended up viewing 29 short films, which, in my opinion, was a great bang for my buck, and possibly the most economical I’ve ever been, and, in all likelihood, the most economical I’ll ever be. That's the great thing about short films - they're short. All the films I saw were produced in either New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, P.E.I., or Newfoundland; hence, the program title "Atlantic Shorts" (boy, am I great at stating the obvious. Short films are short. Atlantic shorts are from Atlantic Provinces. I doubt it will be long before the New York Times calls me after this one hits the internet).
Three of the films from Newfoundland, including the film I had written, were produced through Nifco's Picture Start Program. Picture Start is a really great program in Newfoundland that allows selected emerging filmmakers to produce a short film. Basically, it intricately guides filmmakers along in the filmmaking process through great workshops, as well as the guidance of program mentor, Anna Petras. Hopefully, this program won't be going anywhere for a long time because it is such a great opportunity to learn and create, not to mention the fact that it's generated a whole bunch of seriously good films, and sent a lot of filmmakers on their way to a flourishing career. This year's Picture Start films included Kathy, which was directed by Mark O’Brien and produced by Shannon Hawes, Darcy Fitzpatrick's Meters and Joel Thomas Hynes' Clipper Gold, all of which premiered at the Atlantic Film Festival.
The programs I saw at the festival varied in genre and quality -- some films I really liked, some I really didn't; some films I didn’t “get”, some I “got” a little too much. I will say this, though, without hesitation: overall, Newfoundland’s films were the strongest. Now, that's not to say that every Newfoundland film was the very best, or even my very favourite (there were great films from every province); however, there were no weak links from Newfoundland. I think that if there were a Film Olympics, for instance, that I would put my money on this province’s team. In fact, the top prize within the Atlantic Shorts jurisdiction was awarded to a Newfoundlander. Author Kenneth J. Harvey's dark and quirky short, I'm 14 and I Hate the World, deservedly took the prize for Best Atlantic Short. Harvey's film was produced through Nifco's First Time Filmmaker Program, another great program in Newfoundland that allows artists to learn through creating. Kerrin Kenny’s film, Forty Five and Five, another First Time Film, also screened in the Atlantic Shorts program.
I count myself very lucky to be a filmmaker living in a province with such rich opportunity, and very lucky to have utilized Nifco’s Picture Start Program, as well as the First Time Filmmaker program. The benefits of these programs are endless and I would encourage any emerging or aspirant filmmakers to apply. That being said, I believe that the most important part of filmmaking is actually making a film (once again, obviously). It’s my belief that these programs both encourage and improve filmmaking in this province, but also up the ante for films made without these programs, which leads to more quality films being produced overall. I guess what I'm trying to say is: use whatever means possible and get your idea in the can.
The last film I will mention, that also came from Newfoundland, is Jonathan Watton's Last of the Snow. It is beautiful – simple in its setup, yet its complexity is revealed through strong acting and confident, subtle filmmaking. This film was independently produced with a barebones cast and crew. It was encouraging to watch, and is an important reminder that to make a really good film, one doesn't necessarily need a heaping crew, or a huge budget, or CGI or Robert Pattinson (that’s who the kids like these days, yes?).
Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay long enough to get to any other programs the festival had to offer. I know that fellow Newfoundlanders Jordan Canning and Christian Sparkes – two filmmakers who cut their teeth through Nifco’s programs, and have since moved on to Toronto’s prestigious CFC - had screenings later in the week. These are two filmmakers that never disappoint and I hope to view both their films sometime soon.
I count myself very lucky to live in a place with such a wonderful film community – one that continues to grow and change and produce. For those out there with a desire to get involved, apply for the programs I’ve mentioned; with any luck, you'll be given a great vehicle to make the film you want to make. But if you can't, make your film anyway. St. John’s is definitely the city to do it in.
Author's Bio:
Emily Bridger is an emerging filmmaker and actor from St. John’s, Newfoundland. She has performed in various roles on stage and film. Her first film, Epilogue, which she wrote and directed, screened at various festivals across Canada. Her second short film, Brad, premiered at LA Shorts Fest 2010. In the fall of 2010, Emily tried her hand at playwriting for the first time, as one of five writers, including Robert Chafe, Sherry White, Kenneth J. Harvery, and Lois Brown, for the production 5 New Very Short Plays in the Sand. Her most recent writing project, Kathy (a short film directed by Mark O’Brien), premiered at the Atlantic Film Festival 2011 in Halifax. Kathy is set to screen next at the 22nd Annual St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival.
