Shawnigan’s young auteurs made their first marks on the cinematic scene last week when they participated in the 2023 BC Student Film Festival alongside their peers from across the province.
Grade 11 and 12 students from the curricular Film and Television program and students in the Film 360 group sailed across the Georgia Strait on the Queen of Cowichan last week to attend the festival hosted by Capilano University in North Vancouver. The crew of 27 filmmakers and three staff had an early start on Friday morning and arrived at Capilano’s Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film and Animation for a full day of everything film.
The students spent the morning attending hands-on workshops led by industry professionals, including VFX designers from Star Wars and special effects supervisors from the movie Dune. Students were able to choose two workshops from a selection of five including Cinematography, Visual Effects, Industrial Light and Magic, Animation, and Costuming. In the Cinematography workshop students were able to experience what it is really like on a major film shoot. They took turns operating the camera, focus pulling, pushing the dolly, and acting, as the instructor shared stories and tips on life in the industry.
After lunch, students from across the province filled the theatre and were treated to a full afternoon of screenings and awards. Ethan M. won the Bryn Hutchinson Award for Best Exploration of the Natural World for his short film, Bikelash. Also receiving award nominations were Zac R. and Carson A.
“All of our students have a great reason to be proud of the films they helped produce,” said curricular Film and Television teacher Aren Goodman. “This festival has given all of them perspective and ambition to come back next year with even more compelling productions.”
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Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.