ONLINE 2 REEL SHORTS 2021 reelshorts.ca 3 Contents

4 How To Fest 5 Director's Notes 6 Film Packages and Films 6 Nature Notes (Gr 1-3) 9 A Step Beyond (Gr 4-6) 11 New Worlds (Gr 6-9) 13 Unseen Consequences (Gr 9-12 Social Studies) 15 Ties That Connect (Gr 9-12 English/Languages) 18 Cinema Francophone (Gr 9-12 French) 20 Family Friction 22 A Day in the Life 26 Criminal Intent 28 Peace Region Shorts 30 Psycho Shorts 34 Jury Members 36 Peace Region Filmmakers 40 Virtual Class Visits 42 Film Index 44 Thank You 4 REEL SHORTS 2021 reelshorts.ca 5 How To Fest Director's Notes

rom the comfort of your own home – the choice is yours! For TV watching, When the Films Ahoy theme was chosen first virtual edition of the Reel Shorts Film anywhere in Canada and beyond, you can stream films on Chromecast for our 2020 festival, who could have Festival! Fyou can enjoy the 2021 Reel Shorts Film or Apple TV by screen sharing your foreseen how stormy the seas would Festival. smartphone, tablet, or computer on get? As everyone knows, our event and We received 5,160 submissions from the same Wi-Fi network, or you can countless others were either cancelled 134 countries and looked at another Register as a Virtual Fest Member on the connect your laptop to your TV with an or postponed last year. Since we still 80 films for a total of 5,240 short films. festival’s Membership page – it’s FREE – HDMI cable. Click on the “How to Fest” could not have an in-person event this The programming team completed and log in from April 26 to May 9 to view link on our Membership page for more year, we focused on making the festival 5,757 evaluations of these films and we 11 film packages whenever and as often information. as accessible as possible. With the selected 74 (1.4%) from 20 countries as you would like to. fest being free and online, we hope to including 34 award-winning films. We are Make a party of it! Pop the popcorn and create many more fans of the talented particularly proud of the 5 Peace Region Watch the films on your TV, laptop or have a virtual viewing party with friends filmmakers whose films we are privileged films in our program! desktop computer, tablet or smartphone and family! to share with you. We hope you enjoy them as you travel the world from the comfort of your own REGISTER and LOG IN as a VIRTUAL FEST MEMBER On behalf of the Board of Directors and home! reelshorts.ca/membership the programming team members who Terry Scerbak helped select the films, welcome to the Festival Director

SEE BIGGER CANADIAN TALENT SHINES BRIGHT ON THE WORLD STAGE. TELEFILM CANADA IS PROUD TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE HOMEGROWN SUCCESS.

© Shayne Laverdière

TELEFILM.CA 6 REEL SHORTS 2021 reelshorts.ca 7 Films & Packages Advisories CL - Coarse Language MSM - Mature Subject Matter FS - Frightening Scenes N - Nudity GS -Gory Scenes SC - Sexual Content GV - Gory Violence V - Violence Family Bonds The Switch FILM PACKAGE Germany, 2019, 6:34 Grande Prairie (Canada), 2018, 3:43 Director Maria Schmidt Director Monty Simo Nature Notes (Gr 1-3) A little fox has a happy family although A daughter gets her wish and switches it’s an unusual one. His parents are places with her dad for a day. Online April 26 to May 9 geese. One day, he observes a grown Presented by ATB and fox attacking a goose. Confused Swan City Rotary Club about who he really is, he runs into the forest. Alone and frightened, he finds This delightful package contains Little Grey Wolfy – the answer just as his parents find him. films about the nature of friendship, Fall Travelers Won 1st Prize 2D Animation at the home, and family, and provides Norway, 2020, 6:00 2020 Florida Animation Festival. unexpected contrasts with many opportunities for lively discussion Director Natalia Malykhina afterwards. Autumn is here and the birds are flying SIMPLY CLICK LIKE south. Wolfy and his friends want to FEST UPDATES AND MORE The Green Bird fly too. Lacking wings, they must use This package contains FACEBOOK.COM/REELSHORTS France, 2017, 6:45 imagination to fly high in the sky, but the following films: Directors Pierre Perveyrie, Maximil- can they escape winter like the birds? ien Bougeois, Marine Goalard, Irina Nguyen-Duc, Quentin Dubois A PROUD SPONSOR When a green, noisy, and caring OF THE 2021 REEL SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL bird lays its first egg, it faces many challenges as it tries to help the egg to hatch. Won the 2018 Student Academy Award for Best Animated Short.

“I think, at the end of the day, filmmaking is a team, but eventually there’s got A PROUD SPONSOR to be a captain.” OF THE 2021 REEL SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL -Ridley Scott 8 FILMS + PACKAGES reelshorts.ca 9

wills begins as the little creature tries to undo everything the young man FILM PACKAGE does. A Step Beyond (Gr 4-6) Online April 26 to May 9 Presented by ATB and Maestro Swan City Rotary Club The Beauty France, 2019, 1:53 This engaging package contains Germany, 2019, 4:14 Writer/Director Illogic films that contrast fantasy and reality Director Pascal Schelbli The full moon inspires a bird to sing Misguided from the perspective of art, sorrow, Within the mysterious depths of and a group of forest animals to join USA, 2019, 2:26 and satire, with many opportunities the ocean, bizarre creatures and for class discussion afterwards. in. Won the Audience Award for Best Writer/Director Sanghyun Kim eerily beautiful landscapes can be Animation Short Film at the 2019 San encountered, but how does this A guide dog’s retriever instincts take Sebastian Horror and Fantasy Film This package contains imaginary world compare to the Festival. over as he chases a tennis ball while the following films: real one? Won the Gold Medal for his blind master searches for him Animation (International Film Schools) through a dangerous construction site. at the 2020 Student Academy Awards among other awards.

Eklo Manen France, 2020, 5:41 France, 2018, 3:48 Writer/Directors François Dollet, Boje Lucas Mullier, Titouan Bertin, Lucas Directors Thomas Anglade, Maxime Dubois, Urvan Taillebuis Announ, Lucie Dessertine, Estelle Germany, 2019, 9:43 (German with Saint-Jours English subtitles) Elko lives in an abandoned house with only a potted plant for company until When a pelican starts snatching his Writer/Directors Andreas Cordes & the day a young man arrives with his fish, an old fisherman will do anything Robert Köhler tools to begin renovations. A war of to stop it. Boje and his father live in a remote cottage by the sea - a boy longing for The film industry is about Film is one of the three answers and a father struggling for words. When his father looks to the sea saying 'no' to people, and universal languages, the for help, answers magically find their inherently you cannot take other two: mathematics way to Boje. 'no' for an answer. A PROUD SPONSOR and music. OF THE 2021 REEL SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL -James Cameron -Frank Capra reelshorts.ca 10 FILMS + PACKAGES reelshorts.ca 11

red shoes carry a young woman into FILM PACKAGE CL, V she realizes that the game has only a magical world of art illusions where begun. their steps turn into dancing taps, gestures into splashes of paint, actions into art, and art into the creation of New Worlds its own reality. Won Best Short at the (Gr 6-9) 2019 Open World Toronto Film Festival among other awards. Online April 26 to May 9 Presented by ATB and Evanescent Swan City Rotary Club Ukraine, 2019, 3:00 This varied package contains films Writer/Director Vladislav Sergienko that reveal the pressures of growing The One You Never CL A magical adventure in pursuit of a up and the consequences of conflict. Forget red balloon leads a little girl to an Some are heartwarming; some important decision. are cautionary. All provide great USA, 2019, 8:11 opportunities for further discussion. Writer/Director Morgan Jon Fox

Like and Follow A man promises his wife that he’ll This package contains get a photo of their son and his date Japan, 2019, 2:05 the following films: before they go to their first high Writer/Director/Animators Tobias school dance, but his son tries to leave Schlage & Brent Forrest before his dad can keep his promise. When a kid starts spending time in the Won Audience Choice Award for Best real world, it’s up to his smartphone Narrative Short at the 2019 Sidewalk to bring his attention back to where Film Festival among other awards. Paris You Got Me it belongs. Won Best Animation at the 2019 Open World Toronto Film Germany, 2018, 9:02 Festival among other awards. Writer/Director Julie Boehm The lure of a street artist and a pair of reelshorts.ca Stephanie Belgium, 2020, 15:07 (Dutch with English subtitles) Writer/Director Leonardo van Dijl After winning her first international Lay Them Straight title, an 11-year-old gymnast Canada, 2018, 10:33 experiences both new pressures and Writer/Director Robert DeLeskie a new degree of self-awareness. The more recognition she gets, the more A teenage girl battling obsessive compulsive disorder has to run the gamut of school bullies every day, until REGISTER and LOG IN as a a traumatic event leads her to think VIRTUAL FEST MEMBER she might have supernatural powers. Won the Jury Prize for Best Screenplay reelshorts.ca/membership - Short Film at the 2019 Molins Film Festival. 12 FILMS + PACKAGES reelshorts.ca 13

discovers a red tulip and decides that FILM PACKAGE CL he must have more of them. Unseen Consequences (Gr 9-12 Social Studies) Online April 26 to May 9 Presented by ATB and Dungeon & Cie V Celeste and Moulee Swan City Rotary Club Till the End of the World France, 2020, 6:40 (French with This powerful package contains films English subtitles) Canada, 2019, 12:54 that illustrate a disconnect between Directors Adèle Bichon, Alizée Gar- Writer/Producer/Director Celeste Just For the Record perception and reality, truth and nier, Noëllic Lebouvier, Yann Orhon, Koon Léonard Plata, Mattéo Rivière Serbia/Canada, 2020, 7:01 fiction, past and present, along In the aftermath of an apocalyptic with the unseen consequences that The Grolls, victimized minions of a Writer/Director Vojin Vasovi catastrophe, Celeste and her rabbit ć result. dungeon, are relentlessly attacked Moulee must figure out how to survive. In an abandoned attic, a dictaphone by knights in search of adventure. robot tries to record the song of a This package contains Exhausted, they go on strike to little bird. demand better working conditions. the following films:

The Tulip King (Le Roi Tulipe) Cinema Rats CL The Alien Nightmare V France, 2020, 6:34 (French with The Deepest Hole MSM English subtitles) (Kino Ratten) France, 2020, 6:05 USA, 2020, 12:25 Directors Chloé Chapart, Agnès New Zealand, 2019, 9:36 (German Writer/Directors Lauriane Balestrat, Dejean, Dorian Douaud, Flavien with English subtitles) Producer/Director Matt McCormick Marc Antoine Alonzo, Alexis Sabal- Duramé, Audrey Rioux, Alexis Rous- za, Elie Berhoumieux, Lucas Soupou seau Writer/Director Peter McCully While the Space Race, the Arms In 1938 Germany, a cinema Race, and a myriad of other Cold War Three aliens land on Earth for a routine Once upon a time in a forgotten competitions are common knowledge, scientific expedition, but their plans kingdom, a humble King lived alone projectionist is forced to screen Nazi propaganda films before the few know that the United States and did not include potentially hostile with his housekeeper. One day, Soviet Union faced off to see which inhabitants. while walking in his vast garden, he main features, but there have been technical problems with these films. country could dig the deepest hole. The projectionist blames the rats, but This obscure historical event took a bizarre twist that still impacts people If it’s a good movie, the sound could go off and the audience the SS give him a final warning. No more disruptions, but the rats have today, decades after the Cold War would still have a pretty clear idea of what was going on. other ideas. Won Best Animated Short ended. - Alfred Hitchcock at the 2019 Palm Springs International Animation Festival and Expo. reelshorts.ca 14 FILMS + PACKAGES reelshorts.ca 15

FILM PACKAGE CL, MSM

Ties That Connect (Gr 9-12 English/ Languages) Online April 26 to May 9 A Little Hornless Goat CL Homesick W (Una Cabrita Sin Cuernos) Presented by ATB and France, 2019, 27:25 (Japanese with Greece, 2019, 6:00 Swan City Rotary Club Argentina, 2019, 14:00 (Spanish English subtitles) Writer/Producer/Director Stelios with English subtitles) Writer/Director Koya Kamura Koupetoris This enlightening package contains Writer/Producer/Director Sebastian Two years after the Fukushima nuclear A teacher begins his daily lecture in films that look at the connections Dietsch disaster, a man searches the no-go the classroom, but there is something and disconnections between Based on a true story that happened zone for his son’s baseball. missing from today's usual lesson. people who have just met and during the last Argentine military Won Best Short Shorts Award at family members who have grown dictatorship, a local commissioner the 2020 Harlem International Film distant. With films from the US, must investigate a children’s book that Festival among other awards. Europe, Israel, and Australia, was confiscated from a 7-year-old girl this geographically diverse at school. When people ask me if I package includes narrative films, went to film school I tell a documentary, and a silent film. them, "no, I went to films". This package contains -Quentin Tarantino the following films: The Present CL Palestine 2019, 24:16 (Arabic/Eng- lish with English subtitles) Director Farah Nabulsi Out of Plastic On his wedding anniversary, a man and his young daughter set out in Spain, 2018, 19:47 (Catalan/English/ the West Bank to buy his wife a gift, Spanish with English subtitles) but soldiers, segregated roads, and Writer/Director Line Hadsbjerg checkpoints create delays. How The profound presence of plastic in our difficult can it be to go shopping? lives and in our natural environment Nominated for an Oscar in 2021 for Call Connect CL, MSM is explored in this documentary set in Best Live Action Short and winner of the sweeping landscapes and ocean multiple awards. Australia, 2019, 16:38 depths of the Balearic Islands in the Producer/Directors Josiah Allen & Mediterranean Sea. The enemy of art is the A PROUD SPONSOR Indianna Bell absence of limitations. OF THE 2021 REEL SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL A young helpline operator takes SIMPLY CLICK LIKE her first call and gets more than she FEST UPDATES AND MORE -Orson Welles expected. Won Best Narrative Short at FACEBOOK.COM/REELSHORTS the 2019 Austin Film Festival. 16 FILMS + PACKAGES reelshorts.ca 17

San Diego among other awards.

Crocodile (Cocodrilo) Will “The Machine” Moon Drops Spain, 2018, 4:48 (Spanish with Eng- USA, 2019, 13:34 Israel, 2018, 16:10 How to Fall in Love CL lish subtitles) Director Kent Lamm Writer/Producer/Director Yoram in a Pandemic Writer/Producer/Director Jorge Ever-Hadani Ireland, 2020, 10:40 Yúdice An elite high school football star A factory worker, tired of his dead-end known as “The Machine” is challenged job, assembles an enigmatic machine Producer/Director Michael-David A woman watches her favorite McKernan by an outsider in a series of races. that produces liquid drops from YouTuber as he answers questions Against the backdrop of wintertime from his fans during a live chat. Can moonlight. The bottled drops are a A capsule romance is tested against Richmond, Virginia, the former capital hard sell at the town market, but that the backdrop of the pandemic as she find the right words to join the of the Confederacy, this opportunity conversation? Won Audience Award changes when their surprising effect is two filmmakers are forced to move for friendship is a chance to humanize revealed. Won Judges’ Choice & Best in together after two weeks of for Best Short Film at the 2019 “The Machine.” Merlinka Festival among other awards. Sci-Fi/Fantasy at the 2019 Comic-Con (CONT'D on p18)

The Treatment Voice Over CL (El Tratamiento) Germany, 2018, 8:50 (English/Ger- man with English subtitles) Spain, 2019, 8:57 (Spanish with English Writer/Directors Emily Manthei & subtitles) Jörn Linnenbröker Writer/Producer/Director Álvaro Carmona A German voice actor has been hired A clinic offers a couple a guaranteed to dub an English actor’s voice in a cure for the husband’s condition and film noir set in 1944 Berlin. It’s work they are eager to sign the consent as usual until the English actor in the form until the doctor explains the side film looks at the camera and revolts effects. Won Best Screenplay at the against the dubbing process. 2020 Festival Alto Vicentino. Proud Supporter of the 2021 Reel Shorts Film Festival reelshorts.ca 18 FILMS + PACKAGES reelshorts.ca 19

(CONT'D from p17) in a murder case, a Quebec woman knowing each other. Won Best Short FILM PACKAGE CL, MSM and her daughters are forced to relive Documentary at the 2020 Kerry what they had hoped to forget. Won Film Festival among other awards. Best Screenplay at the 2019 Bašta Fest Screened with the kind permission Cinema Francophone in Serbia. of Network Ireland Television and (Gr 9-12 French) Michael-David McKernan. Online April 26 to May 9 Presented by ATB and MSM Swan City Rotary Club Zone Rouge Canada, 2018, 15:15 (French with This French-dialogue package (with English subtitles) English subtitles) provides a unique Co-Writer/Director Dominique van blend of films relating to historical Olm events and modern day issues. One hundred years after the guns Intermission CL fell silent, the people of northeastern (Entracte) This Time Away This package contains France are still feeling the lasting the following films: effects of war. Guy Momper and his France, 2019, 16:22 (French with UK, 2019, 14:20 team of minesweepers risk their lives English subtitles) daily by entering highly concentrated Writer/Director Anthony Lemaitre Writer/Director Magali Barbe areas with buried explosives that An elderly man lives as a recluse until are polluting the water system Yacine doesn’t have enough money an unexpected visitor arrives and and poisoning farm land. Won the to see “Fast and Furious 8” at the disrupts his lonely routine. Won Best Audience Choice Award for Best Short multiplex so he and his friends try to Foreign Film at the 2019 LA Shorts Documentary at the 2019 Calgary sneak in. When that doesn’t work, he Fest among other awards. International Film Festival. comes up with another plan that has unexpected consequences.

The President and CL the Crossing Keeper (Le président et le garde-barrière) France, 2019, 18:19 (French with English subtitles) Black Forest CL, MSM Director Jean-Marc Peyrefitte (Forêt noire) Adam’s Skirt CL While making his rounds on the Canada/France, 2019, 20:39 (French France, 2018, 11:54 (French with morning of May 24, 1920, a railway English subtitles) crossing keeper encounters a man with English subtitles) in his pajamas, alone in the forest, Writer/Directors Jean-Marc E. Roy Director Clément Trehin Lalanne claiming to be the President of the & Philippe David Gagné The tensions between a recently Republic. Based on a true story. Won When a judge in France orders the separated couple increase when they the Audience Award at the 2019 re-enactment of a crime scene in order are called to their children’s school to Austin Film Festival. to shed some light on inconsistencies discuss their four-year-old son’s skirt. 20 FILMS + PACKAGES reelshorts.ca 21

unexpected turn when he discovers a FILM PACKAGE CL, V mysterious object in the kitchen. Family Friction Online April 26 to May 9

Family ties are stressed in this package of European films. They mend in some of the films and Monster Tale Beauty Boys CL irreparably break in others. (Ungeheuer) France, 2019, 17:50 (French with English subtitles) CL, V Germany, 2018, 23:16 (German with This package contains Trauma Zero the following films: English subtitles) Writer/Director Florent Gouelou France, 2018, 29:48 (French with Director Pascal Schröder English subtitles) On the night of the open stage A young boy’s fear of the dark competition in their small village, Writer/Director Sarah Hansson prompts his father to take him on an 17-year-old Léo plans to perform Hoping to overcome his fear of water, adventure hike through the forest, in drag despite his brother’s fierce a young man tries out a breakthrough but as they make their way back in disapproval. Won Audience Award for treatment that enables doctors to cure the fading light, his fear grows even Best French Short Film at the 2020 phobias, but the process reveals the stronger. Champs-Élysées Film Festival. truth behind his trauma.

Luger CL I don’t want to tell you how to do your job, but UK, 2019, 10:43 somebody has to. Director Freddie Waters Tom’s meeting with his elderly -David Fincher grandfather’s two caregivers takes an

The County of Grande Prairie is proud to support arts and culture in our communities 22 FILMS + PACKAGES reelshorts.ca 23

other awards. Screened with the together begin to intrude on the day’s FILM PACKAGE CL, GS, MSM, N, SC, V kind permission of Network Ireland festivities. Television and Carbonated Comet Productions. A Day in the Life

Online April 26 to May 9

Presented by Q99

Grandad Was a Pivotal moments that can change the Romantic course of a person’s life, or bring it to an untimely end, characterize these UK, 2019, 4:38 Hold On CL, GS dramas, comedies, and documentary. Writer/Producer/Director Maryam (Hou Vast) Mohajer The Audition Netherlands, 2018, 6:45 (Dutch with A young girl’s grandad was a romantic. This package contains (Das Probespiel) the following films: English subtitles) He once saw a picture of her granny Austria, 2019, 22:25 (German/ Writer/Producer/Director Bart and realized that she was the love of French with English subtitles) Schrijver his life. Won a 2020 BAFTA Award for Director Guy Lichtenstein Best British Short Animation. A window cleaner falls from the top A gifted cellist, who once vowed that floor of a high-rise building, but she would never perform at weddings, manages to catch himself outside a has been doing so on a regular basis. woman’s window. While he tries to get Being an artist means not Worse still, today’s groom is her ex- her attention so she can call for help, having to avert one’s eyes. boyfriend. Memories of their time she gets ready for a date. Akira Kurosawa

The Vasectomy MSM Doctor Ireland, 2019, 10:47 Writer/Director Paul Webster After graduating from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dr. Andrew Rynn interned in Canada Downtown – where he was introduced to The Heart Of The Action vasectomy after starting a general Serving families since 1915 Over 400 Stores and Services practice in Mitchell, Ontario. Upon his return in 1974, he challenged laws imposed by the Church and State by becoming the first doctor to perform A PROUD SPONSOR vasectomies in Ireland. In 1990, a man A PROUD SPONSOR with a grudge and a rifle entered his OF THE 2021 REEL SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL OF THE 2021 REEL SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL surgery. Won Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film at the 2019 Dingle International Film Festival among 24 FILMS + PACKAGES

Peggy CL On the Other Side V, N, MSM USA, 2017, 12:04 France, 2018, 12:00 (French with Writer/Director Justin O’Neal Miller English subtitles) Everything always seems to work out Director Zulma Rouge perfectly for Peggy, but her social A man is so busy leading a double life graces are put to the test when she that he can only spare a few moments throws a birthday party for her eight- to phone his worried grandparents year-old son. Won Best Short Film before he returns to what he was at the 2019 Fort Myers Film Festival doing. among other awards.

Pool CL, SC Hearth (Foyer) V Canada, 2018, 10:08 (French with France, 2019, 7:50 (French with English subtitles) English subtitles) Writer/Director Sophie B. Jacques Writer/Director Francis Magnin When Emillie returns home after A ride-sharing driver with a friendly renting her house to strangers, manner and meticulously clean she finds everything in order and car learns that providing great a thoughtful letter, but what really customer service can have unforeseen happened during her absence? consequences.

If you compromise what you’re trying to do a little bit, you’ll end up compromising a little more the next day or the next week, and when you lift your head you’re suddenly really far away from where you’re trying to go. -Spike Jonze 26 FILMS + PACKAGES reelshorts.ca 27

FILM PACKAGE CL, N, V

Criminal Intent Online April 26 to May 9

Presented by Big Country

The films in this package bring a Marketing CL, V The Devil’s Harmony CL, N Whatever It Takes CL, V unique perspective to the genre (Tout se mérite) and present a deadly serious or Argentina, 2019, 15:06 (Spanish UK, 2019, 14:23 with English subtitles) darkly comical view of crime and its Director Dylan Holmes Williams France, 2019, 15:33 (French with Writer/Director Gabriel Sagel English subtitles) perpetrators. A bullied teenage girl leads an a A businessman hires an ex-convict to cappella club on a trail of destruction Writer/Director Pierre Amstutz

This package contains murder the man who cheated him out against her high school enemies. Won Roch the following films: of a lot of money, but is it really about the Short Film Jury Prize (International When a middle-aged man loses his the money? Fiction) at the 2020 Sundance Film job, he desperately wants the new job Festival among other awards. he’s heard about. There is only one thing standing in his way - a rival who REGISTER and LOG IN as a is better qualified. Won Best Short VIRTUAL FEST MEMBER Film at the 2019 Short to the Point reelshorts.ca/membership International Film Festival.

A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2021 REEL SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL CL The Cocaine Famine CL, V Demand Curve Ireland, 2018, 13:09 USA, 2019, 11:00 Director Sam McMullen Writer/Directors The Bragg Broth- Two Irish drug dealers drag a captured ers cockney rival into an abandoned shed Offended by his kidnappers’ low in the depths of rural Ireland. A stash demands, a college professor uses of cocaine has gone missing, supplies basic economics to increase his are running low, and things don’t look ransom and get in on the action. good for the prisoner from London. Won Best of the Fest at the 2019 San (780) 532-7762 Won Best Short Film at the 2019 Francisco Independent Short Film www.cwexteriors.com Greenwich Village Film Festival. Festival among other awards.

As a director/writer/producer, all you ever want is to work SERVING THE PEACE REGION AND BEYOND with actors who make you look better, who make the work We will come to you. Just ask. you do seem as good as it can be and even better than it is. -J.J. Abrams 28 FILMS + PACKAGES reelshorts.ca 29

The Legacy CL, V A Typical Heart The Switch Small Town Strength V (L’Héritage) Grande Prairie, 2019, 22:10 Grande Prairie, 2018, 3:43 Grande Prairie, 2020, 25:03 France, 2019, 19:37 (French with Director Monty Simo Producer/Director Darryl Haugen English subtitles) Directors Chris Beauchamp & Laura Beauchamp A daughter gets her wish and switches The development of a mixed Director Pierre-Alexandre Chauvat Through the lens of healthcare places with her dad for a day. martial arts community in Grande When a trapper arrives in a small professionals, researchers, patients, Prairie, Alberta is explored in this town to accept the job of Sheriff, the and their families, the deadly disparity documentary about the athletes, current Sheriff has something to say between male and female heart coaches, promoters, and commission about it. Won Best Short Film at the disease is explored in this compelling members who have grown the sport in 2019 Almeria Western Film Festival documentary. a small northern city. among other awards.

FEST UPDATES AND MORE FACEBOOK.COM/REELSHORTS Undefeated: Journey to the Death Race FILM PACKAGE V Grande Prairie, 2020, 27:36 Peace Region Shorts Director Rew Jones With the Land In a small town in the foothills of the Zombies and Indians CL Online April 26 to May 9 Alberta, 2020, 13:31 Rocky Mountains, four athletes join Alberta, 2019, 12:13 hundreds of other racers to compete Two of the films in this package Director Dominique Keller Writer/Producer/Director Keith in the Canadian Death Race in Grande Lawrence capture the beauty of the Peace Kristeva Dowling strives to have a Cache, Alberta. What drives them Region landscape. Five reveal the close relationship with the land and a to endure a grueling 125-kilometer In a world ravaged by a zombie talent of Peace Region filmmakers. degree of food sovereignty few of us ultramarathon that spans three apocalypse, two men stand watch at the barricades surrounding the Rez. All are eligible for the juried Best can imagine – especially when living in mountain summits and 17,000 feet of Won the 2020 Alberta Motion Picture Peace Region Short Award and the unforgiving landscape outside of elevation change? Industry Association's Rosie Award for a $300 cash prize presented by Grande Prairie, Alberta. Best Dramatic Short Production and PRIMAA (Peace Region Independent A film is never really the Rosie Award for Best Screenwriter Media Arts Association). I always want the audience good unless the camera (Drama Under 30 Minutes). to outguess me, and then is an eye in the head of REGISTER and LOG IN as a This package contains I doublecross them. a poet. VIRTUAL FEST MEMBER the following films: -Buster Keaton -Orson Welles reelshorts.ca/membership 30 FILMS + PACKAGES reelshorts.ca 31

FILM PACKAGE CL, FS, GV, SC

Psycho Shorts

Online April 26 to May 9

Presented by 2day FM and Pizza Hut Frank & Mary GS Bad Hair FS, GS Yard Sale V Mysterious creatures, an eerie house, a vengeful demon, and a homicidal UK, 2019, 16:10 Estonia, 2019, 14:30 Alberta, 2019, 10:39 maniac – are you ready for Psycho Writer/Director Paul Williams Writer/Director Oskar Lehemaa Director Jared Eves Shorts? When his beloved wife dies at home, A balding man tries a hair growth A family on their way to a reunion take an elderly DIY enthusiast deals with liquid that he hopes will restore a slight detour to check out a yard sale

This package contains his grief by channeling his inner Dr. his youthful appearance, but the on a remote farm. Who has a yard sale the following films: Frankenstein to bring his wife back to mysterious potion leads to bodily in the dead of winter? Won Audience life... in the garden shed. changes that he could not begin to Choice Award for Best Short Film at imagine. Won Best Short at 2019 the 2019 Festival of Fear International Screamfest Horror Film Festival. Film Festival.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW The Dead West GV Grave Sight CL, GS ONLINE DEALS! France, 2019, 17:49 (French with Canada, 2019, 7:28 English subtitles) Directors Angus Swantee & Walter Producer Sandy Blanco Forsyth In 1879, a chemical spill from the local A desperate couple turns to grave tannery contaminated Silvertown’s robbing to escape a mountain of drinking water, turning those who debt, only to dig themselves into a drink it into drooling ravenous hole much worse than they could have monsters. With help from the town’s imagined. sheriff, a young woman tries to

escape. Made by the Métiers du A director must be a police- ORDER Multimédia et de l’Internet students of ONLINE AT the IUT de Béziers in France. man, a midwife, a psycho- analyst, a sycophant and a bastard. PIZZAHUT.CA reelshorts.ca -Billy Wilder 32 FILMS + PACKAGES

Let Me Play V Save Yourself CL, V, SC USA, 2019, 9:23 USA, 2018, 14:17 Writer/Director Andrew Bell Writer/Actor/Director Ali Alkhafaji When Grace and her older brother Peter is a housekeeper with a crippling spend the night at their grandmother’s fear of cats. When a pig-lizard monster house, Grace sees something in the threatens his town, Peter enlists the closet. After her brother laughs at her help of his friends to stop the Pizard. and her grandmother scolds her for Won Best Director and Best Dark misbehaving, Grace realizes she will Comedy at the 2019 Austin Comedy have to deal with it alone. Short Film Festival among other awards.

Horrorscope CL Something Doesn’t CL, GV Spain, 2019, 4:31 Feel Right Writer/Director Pol Diggler Ireland, 2019, 9:19 Director Fergal Costello An ordinary schoolgirl’s life unravels after an evil creature takes over her A slasher villain puts in the hours and body. Only her mother, with the help planning needed to pull off perfect kills, of a strange doctor, will be able to until he encounters victims that don’t save her. Won Best Super-Short at behave like they should. Screened with the 2019 Horror Movie Freaks Film the kind permission of Network Ireland Festival. Television and Jumper Productions. reelshorts.ca 34 REEL SHORTS 2021 reelshorts.ca 35

Entertainment. He currently runs Post Jury Members Premium Media where he oversees production on various commercial works garnering many prestigious awards for major brands. including AMPIA, Webby, Gemini, Genie, and Canadian Screen Academy The short films Scott wrote, directed, and nominations and awards, as well as a edited have played at festivals around nomination for an Academy Award. the world, winning various awards. He won Best Peace Region Short at the 2015 A recent highlight is the feature Reel Shorts Film Festival for OUTSIDE documentary nîpawistamâsowin: We THE LINES. Will Stand Up (Tasha Hubbard, director) which was selected as the opening Scott has developed and led a film at Hot Docs 2019. It won the Best progression of training initiatives for Canadian feature documentary at the the Reel Shorts Film Festival that began Canadian Screen Awards in 2020 among with the first 2-hour workshop for school many festival screenings and awards. It groups in 2007 and grew into the 2½-day Scooter Corkle has been versioned for television for Youth Filmmaking Challenge workshops CBC and APTN. from 2009-2012. Scooter Corkle is a Vancouver filmmaker who has worked in film for over 15 years Bonnie Thompson In 2012, Scott directed THE HORIZON in various departments including grip, PROJECT in and around Grande Prairie lighting and camera. His feature film, Bonnie Thompson is a veteran Canadian as part of Shoot for Reel, a two-week HOLLOW IN THE LAND (2016), was media producer and owner of Dreaming internship program which led to the set in his hometown of Castlegar in the Bird Productions in Edmonton. She formation of PRIMAA (Peace Region mountains of British Columbia. It was worked with the National Film Board Independent Media Arts Association). released by Vertical Entertainment in of Canada for many years in marketing He led the Youth Film Mentorship the United States, Elevation Pictures and with training programs, followed Project in 2013 during which four Grande in Canada, and West End Films by 17 years as a producer on over 80 Prairie high school students created HB, internationally. productions with Alberta and Canadian a short film that won the Best Overall filmmakers and producers, on a slate of Youth Short Film at the 2013 Calgary Scooter helped Scott Belyea develop the documentary, interactive, and animation International Film Festival. It was also the Youth Filmmaking Challenge workshop projects. first international film to win the Young for the 2009 festival and helped lead Filmmakers Program Competition Grand it for the four years that it was offered. Bonnie’s productions have been Prize at the 2013 Austin Film Festival in During that time, 11 short films were broadcast on national television Texas. created, and Scooter acted in most of (including CBC, History, Doc Channel, them. The popular workshop was retired SuperChannel, Discovery, and APTN) as Scott Belyea Scott was a jury member for the festival after the 2012 festival and replaced with well as international television (including in 2014 when the festival became more ambitious training programs. NHK, PBS, CCT). Her productions have Scott Belyea is a Vancouver filmmaker competitive, and in 2016 and 2019. also screened on the web (including who grew up in Grande Prairie. In 2016, Scooter was the Cinematographer on REGISTER and LOG IN as a Netfilx, nfb.ca, and iTunes) and at he directed HE LOVES YOU NOT, a VIRTUAL FEST MEMBER THE HORIZON PROJECT and a mentor... festivals in Canada and around the world, feature-length thriller for Reel One reelshorts.ca/membership (CONT'D on p36) 36 REEL SHORTS 2021 reelshorts.ca 37

(CONT'D from p35) founders of the Bear Creek Folk Music ...during the two-week internship that resulted in HB, an award-winning Festival in Grande Prairie. She is the co- program that took place during the youth film. owner of Beauchamp Photography and production of that film in and around enjoys performing in acting and musical Grande Prairie in 2012. Scooter was also In 2018, Scooter was named one of 25 theatre as well as belly dancing. She has a mentor during the production of the Screenwriters to Watch by the Austin been the Fundraising and Hospitality Youth Film Mentorship Project in 2013 Film Festival and MovieMaker Magazine. Coordinator for the Reel Shorts Film Festival since 2014. Since April 2019, Peace Region Filmmakers she has primarily been a full-time Mom. In 2019, she co-directed the short commercial projects. His work has documentary A TYPICAL HEART which screened at festivals across the United explores the deadly sex differences in States and Canada. heart disease and cardiac care. It is in the Peace Region Shorts package. In 2019, Chris won an Alberta Motion Picture Industry Association’s Rosie Award for Best Cinematographer in the Laura Beauchamp Short Film category for AETERNITAS, Since 2013, Laura Beauchamp has had which he also co-produced. During the many roles on set including Producer, production of that film in 2018, he and Director, DP, Sound, Line Producer, Director Gordie Haakstad mentored a Photographer, and Production Designer, dozen interns as part of the Reel Shorts in short films and documentary projects Film Festival’s second Shoot for Reel. made in Alberta, Canada. They own and operate The Distillery Film Company. In April 2016, Laura produced, co-wrote, co-directed and DP’d the short film Chris is an active member of the Alberta FRIDAY SPECIAL which won the Best media arts community, having served on 1st Time Team Award at the Frantic48 Chris Beauchamp the boards of AMAAS (Alberta Media Film Challenge and went on to screen Chris Beauchamp is a photographer, Arts Alliance) and the Reel Shorts Film at both the 2017 Calgary and Edmonton writer, and filmmaker based in Grande Society. He currently serves as President ComicCon Expos. Prairie, Alberta. His background includes of PRIMAA (Peace Region Independent journalism, communications, and Media Arts Association). In 2018, Laura was the Production Darryl Haugen marketing. His photography work has Designer for the short sci-fi film Darryl Haugen was born and raised in Chris co-produced and co-directed the included gallery exhibitions, commercial AETERNITAS which was nominated the Peace Country area and moved to short documentary, A TYPICAL HEART, and industrial clients, as well as leading for several 2019 AMPIA Rosie Awards, Grande Prairie when she was 13 years which explores the deadly disparity Canadian editorial publications. His including production design, and went old. Darryl knew from a young age that between male and female heart disease, film work includes narrative films, on to win two awards in the short film she wanted to work in film. its diagnosis, and treatment. It has documentaries, and branded content. category. screened throughout North America and In 2016, Darryl saw a poster at the Since 2012, Chris has written, directed, the UK. It is in the Peace Region Shorts In 2016 and 2017, Laura was the library about the Frantic48 Filmmaking and produced several short films and package. Volunteer Manager and one of the (CONT'D on p38) 38 REEL SHORTS 2021 reelshorts.ca 39

(CONT'D from p37) Challenge put on by PRIMAA (Peace film provided an opportunity to bring his niece Laura who was visiting and Region Independent Media Arts together a diverse group of filmmakers wanted to see what it was like to make Association). She signed up to write, from the region and to highlight some of a short film. Together they crafted the shoot, and edit a short film in two days. the top local athletes. It is in the Peace story, shot it over the following 3 days, She and her family rented a camcorder Region Shorts package. and then completed the edit in Studio G from the college and the result was (the garage), all in just under one week. GAME DAY which screened as part of THE SWITCH is Monty’s favourite film the Frantic48 film package at the Reel to talk about with his students because Shorts Film Festival. it is a great example of how accessible Darryl has been attending events and filmmaking can be. It is in the Nature workshops held by the Reel Shorts Notes (Gr 1-3) package as well as the Film Festival and PRIMAA ever since to Peace Region Shorts package. continue networking and gaining more skills. Over the years, her son Jakem has developed an interest in filmmaking as well. They have attended workshops together and have made more short Rew Jones films through events such as Noirfoot Rew Jones is a Producer/Director/Writer Productions and Reel Youth. who was born and raised in Grande Darryl is now the Vice President of Prairie. He has produced and/or directed the Reel Shorts Film Society and has several documentaries for TV and digital Monty Simo completed the video production courses distribution, as well as music videos, at GPRC (Grande Prairie Regional commercials, and scripted projects for Monty Simo is a substitute teacher in College). She recently completed families. He has also participated in the Grande Prairie. He has had a passion for her first funded documentary, SMALL Frantic48 Film Challenges put on by filmmaking since 1999. His first dozen TOWN STRENGTH, which has its world PRIMAA (Peace Region Independent films were produced with friends Jason premiere in the Peace Region Shorts Media Arts Association). Peterson and Tavis Lindquist under the package. She is happy that her film name Undone Films. Along with their film work, Rew and his can have its world premiere within the wife Sarah have six children and have In 2012, Monty was introduced to his first Keith Lawrence community that has supported and recently begun their journey as children’s 48-hour film challenge and was hooked. grown artistic opportunities for aspiring Keith Lawrence is a Peace Region authors. “Evalina’s Egg” was released in In 2014, after participating in several filmmakers. filmmaker who has written, directed, and 2019 and a second picture book will be other challenges, he helped shepherd worked on many short films. He wrote, released this summer. the creation of the first Frantic48 Film produced, and directed COME TRUE Challenge, an initiative of PRIMAA which screened at the 2015 Reel Shorts Rew directed UNDEFEATED: JOURNEY (Peace Region Media Arts Association) Film Festival. TO THE DEATH RACE, a short in collaboration with the Reel Shorts Film documentary that followed four athletes Festival. Keith is a National Screen Institute as they joined hundreds of other racers alumnus who participated in the NSI to compete in the Canadian Death THE SWITCH was a family project with Storytellers Writers program. From this, Race in Grande Cache, Alberta. The his two daughters, Adele and Juliet, and (CONT'D on p40) 40 REEL SHORTS 2021 reelshorts.ca 41

(CONT'D from p39) he and six other selected Indigenous INDIANS which also won the Rosie for film, Darryl can answer questions about New Worlds (Gr 6-9) package. It has Canadian writers developed the original Best Dramatic Short Production. Grande how she became a filmmaker in Grande played at festivals worldwide and won APTN series CASHING IN (2009). Prairie composer Chris McIntyre was Prairie without ever leaving the city. 22 awards. His previous short, JACK nominated for a Rosie for Best Original IN THE BOX (2015), won multiple In 2020, Keith won an Alberta Motion Musical Score. Filmed on location near Grade 6-12 – Narrative international awards, playing at over Picture Industry Association’s Rosie Calgary, Alberta, the film has played at a May 3-6 150 festivals and on international TV. Award for Best Screenwriter (Drama variety of film festivals. It is in the Peace Robert’s debut feature film, NIGHT LIFE, Under 30 Minutes) for ZOMBIES AND Region Shorts package. is in development. Robert is a graduate of the Film Production Program at York University Virtual Class Visits - $150 and the Graduate Program in Communication at Concordia University. Three filmmakers are available to do project with his two daughters and virtual class visits (via Zoom) during niece. In addition to a Q&A about his Robert has experience directing TV the festival. Teachers can arrange to film, Monty can answer questions about commercials, brand images spots, and watch the filmmaker’s film in class and how filmmakers create illusions and how promos for major brands. He also teaches have a virtual Q&A with the filmmaker accessible filmmaking can be for anyone directing, editing, and cinematography afterwards – a unique opportunity for who wants to try. at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario. students to find out more about the film and the filmmaker(s) who made it. Email Grade 6-12 – Documentary In addition to a Q&A about his film, Terry at [email protected] to book. May 6 Robert can answer questions about Robert DeLeskie is the Writer/Director filmmaking in Canada and can share Grade 1-5 - of LAY THEM STRAIGHT (p. 11) in the advice for aspiring filmmakers. May 3-5

Darryl Haugen (p. 37) is a Grande Prairie resident and Producer/Director of SMALL TOWN STRENGTH (p. 29) in the Peace Region Shorts package. Monty Simo (p. 39) is a Grande Prairie The film was a recipient of $50,000 substitute teacher and Director of THE in funding from Storyhive and has its SWITCH (p. 7) in the Nature Notes (Gr world premiere at the Reel Shorts Film 1-3) package. The film was a family Festival. In addition to a Q&A about her 42 REEL SHORTS 2021 reelshorts.ca 43

Film Index 17 Moon Drops 24 On the Other Side 14 A Little Hornless Goat (Una Cabrita Sin Cuernos) 14 Out of Plastic 28 A Typical Heart 10 Paris You Got Me 19 Adam's Skirt 24 Peggy 31 Bad Hair 24 Pool 21 Beauty Boys 32 Save Yourself 19 Black Forest (Forêt noire) 29 Small Town Strength 9 Boje 32 Something Doesn't Feel Right 15 Call Connect 11 Stephanie 12 Celeste and Moulee Till the End of the World 12 The Alien Nightmare 13 Cinema Rats (Kino Ratten) 23 The Audition (Das Probespiel) 16 Crocodile (Cocodrilo) 9 The Beauty 26 Demand Curve 26 The Cocaine Famine 12 Dungeon & Cie 30 The Dead West 8 Eklo 13 The Deepest Hole 10 Evanescent 27 The Devil's Harmony 7 Family Bonds 7 The Green Bird 30 Frank & Mary 28 The Legacy (L'Héritage) 22 Grandad Was a Romantic 11 The One You Never Forget 30 Grave Sight 14 The Present 24 Hearth (Foyer) 18 The President and the Crossing Keeper 23 Hold On (Hou Vast) (Le président et le garde-barrière) 14 Homesick 7 & 29 The Switch 32 Horrorscope 16 The Treatment (El Tratamiento) 17 How to Fall in Love in a Pandemic 12 The Tulip King (Le Roi Tulipe) 19 Intermission (Entracte) 22 The Vasectomy Doctor 13 Just For the Record 18 This Time Away 11 Lay Them Straight 20 Trauma Zero 32 Let Me Play 29 Undefeated: Journey to the Death Race 10 Like and Follow 16 Voice Over 6 Little Grey Wolfy - Fall Travelers 15 W 20 Luger 27 Whatever It Takes (Tout se mérite) 8 Maestro 16 Will "The Machine" 9 Manen 28 With the Land 26 Marketing 31 Yard Sale 8 Misguided 29 Zombies and Indians 21 Monster Tale (Ungeheuer) 19 Zone Rouge Reel Shorts BC 2021 - Big Country Radio - revised.pdf 1 2021-04-19 11:41:14 AM

44 REEL SHORTS 2021 Thank you! A Reel-y big thanks to all our sponsors and funding partners who have been so generous with their support! We couldn’t do it without you! Public Funders Film Package Presenters City of Grande Prairie 2day FM - Psycho Shorts Telefilm Pizza Hut - Psycho Shorts County of Grande Prairie Q99 - A Day in the Life Alberta Foundation for the Arts Big Country - Criminal Intent MD of Greenview Fest Supporters Award Presenter AMAAS Beauchamp Photography PRIMAA – Best Peace Region Short CW Xteriors Grande Prairie Live Theatre School Program Presenters Grant Berg Gallery ATB Image Design C Swan City Rotary Club KMSC Law M nine10 Virtual Class Visit Supporters Oliver's Funeral Home Y Leo and Martha Dawson Rebel Bent CM

MY

Board of Directors: CY

Cheryl Bjorklund, Selene Granton, Darryl Haugen, Jennifer Laycock, Gail CMY

Littleton, Yax Posas Guzman, Terry Scerbak, Monty Simo, Gary Wood K Programmer/Director: Terry Scerbak Programming Team: Suzanne Baile, Cheryl Bjorklund, Jacqueline Coates, Haley Driedger, Arlene Garcia, Linda Gerhardt, Selene Granton, Angela Hartmier, Darryl Haugen, Madeline Hombert, Ron Hooper, Shea Iles, Mackenzie Johnson, Leah Jonker, Donna-Lynne Larson, Jennifer Laycock, Gail Littleton, Josie McKay, Angela Nilsson, Mike O’Connor, Yax Posas Guzman, Samantha Primeau, Aysha Rasool, Greg Scerbak, Terry Scerbak, Devon Whipple, Desiree White, Brendan Wiese Special Thanks: Kate Foote (program graphic design), Gordie Haakstad (technical assistance), Monty Simo (fest trailer), Marcus Vanstone (Image Design) Member Programs & Events

Frantic48 films will be screened as part of the Reel Shorts Film Festival. Become a member and register at

or drop us a line at [email protected]