Founder Johnny Blakeborough and director Karla Duarte presenting at the VISFF last year. (VISFF)

By Spencer Sterritt

short films

VI Short Film Festival going virtual for 16th year

May 3, 2021 | 4:57 PM

NANAIMO — A global pandemic can’t stifle creativity. In fact, the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is expected to be one of the most creative collection of films yet in its 16th year.

Founder Johnny Blakeborough told NanaimoNewsNOW he believes the best films come from working within restraints.

“I think the idea of filmmakers who are constrained by safety concerns as well as the 15 minute time limit is going to be an interesting thing to see, both the types of films made and the creativity shown to do fun, big, small, personal, giant movies.”

The submission stage of the festival is now open. Short films from Vancouver Island and abroad will be accepted until June 1. Submissions are free to Vancouver Island film makers and cost $25 for all others.

Blakeborough said films can touch on any desired topic but a theme often presents itself naturally in the submissions.

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“It’ll be interesting to see, with all of the huge changes we’ve seen in the last year, how that’s going to change the films submitted. What we want is good stories.”

Last year 200 films from all over the world were submitted to the increasingly popular festival.

“I’m always blown away by the complex and interesting stories people can do in 15 minutes or less.”

Blakeborough said some of his favourite films from past festivals are ones which came in well short of 15 minutes.

The festival, where films are normally screened in a theatre venue, will be all online in 2021. Films will be live streamed the weekend of July 23 and 24, as well as feature a virtual Q & A and discussion panel.

All films can be submitted online here.

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spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt