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Lights, Camera, Record? Local film festival seeking short films shot on cellphones

Oct 20, 2017 | 5:09 PM

NANAIMO — After taking Instagram and Facebook videos, do you have the itch to use your phone’s camera to its full potential?

The upcoming Hub City Cinefest is looking for one minute short films shot on cellphones for their showcase on the second night of the local film festival.

“The camera on my phone is better than the camera I was shooting movies on when I was 14 and 15. And it’s actually a bit of a challenge to tell a story in a very short time period,” Hub City Film Society executive director Zachary Tannar said.

Tannar said within one minute, people can craft concise, fun movies of any genre, whether it be a horror film building to one intense scare or a comedy escalating to a hilarious punchline.

Last year, local comedian Peter Hudson won the people’s choice award for his short comedy.

There are few restrictions on the films, as long as they’re not inappropriate and include the phase “on second,” inspired by the classic Abbot and Costello skit ‘Who’s on first?’

“It’s an open-ended one, so you can say ‘on second thought, on second hand or on second street,’” Tannar said. “Or you can come up with your own phrase using those words. You come up with a lot of different, unique films.”

The one-minute film competition is designed to challenge experienced filmmakers but also provide an easy way into production for those just starting out.

“We had three or four people who’d never made a movie before and those were some of the coolest ones,” Tannar said of last years’ submissions.

Anyone intrigued but unsure of how to create a film can contact the Hub City Film Society for advice and tips.

Their first ever film festival is Nov. 17 and 18 at the VIU Malaspina Theatre.

 

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit