The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival stages its 17th annual event on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9. (VISFF)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

Highly regarded short film festival returns for 17th year in Nanaimo

Apr 8, 2022 | 11:00 AM

NANAIMO — For the second year in a row, any red carpet being rolled out for the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival (VISFF) will be confined to people’s living rooms.

The annual festival takes place with a virtual online stream on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9, featuring seven films each evening starting at 7 p.m.

Festival director Hilary Eastmure told NanaimoNewsNOW entries capped at 15 minutes long vary from Vancouver Island based productions, to projects assembled across Canada and around the world.

“It’s a really interesting mix. Everything from animation and comedy, to a beautiful documentary and some really gripping films.”

The entire festival can be viewed online starting at $5, with the society-run event allowing viewers the ability to enjoy the films within three days of being screened at the festival.

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Eastmure said the decision was made in early March to forge ahead with a virtual only event, the same as in 2021, due to high numbers of COVID-19 infections in the community.

Prior to the pandemic, films would be screened at the VIU theatre with the 2020 event being held right before restrictions closed large gatherings.

Awards will be handed following the Saturday night show, which includes a people’s choice award, while the other five awards will be determined by a judging committee.

Every year the VISFF reaches more film makers, which is creating more career opportunities for festival entrants, Eastmure said.

“We have amazing reviews from film makers who have attended in-person in the past and that is just really helping to put our festival on the map and attract better entries every year.”

Information on this year’s VISFF, including details on this year’s films and how to watch them can be found on the festival website.

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