Tri-Cities youth win Port Moody’s first short film festival

“That was part of the reason I was so focused on encouraging young people to enter the competition. I want to see where they can go!”

Tracy Shaffer is reeling from the success of the Frantic Breeze Fast Film Festival as she was delighted to see local aspiring filmmakers participate — and win.

Neighborhood Productions, a group of young people who recently graduated from high school in the Tri-Cities, took first prize at the new Port Moody event for their short film, Unpacking.

The film also won the award for best youth production and was among a total of six plaques handed out during a special ceremony at the Inlet Theater on September 10.

Schaffer believes the team will be able to use the Frantic Breeze experience as an important stepping stone to a future career.

“Entrants will be able to use their films in a demo-reel… send potential mentors and employers to an official competition website to view their work or mention any awards they may have received,” he told the Tri-City News.

“Many young filmmakers also use these competitions to network with other young directors, actors, cinematographers and producers to find new artists to work with and use these connections to inspire new and innovative projects.”

You can see the Unboxing at the bottom of the story.

In keeping with the “quick film” mantra, Frantic Breeze participants were tasked with creating a film of up to seven minutes and using Port Moody as a backdrop.

Filming was to take place over three days, from August 26 to 29, with the days leading up to the festival including production and editing.

Contestants also had to include “mystery elements” to add a uniqueness factor to each team’s final project.

Nearly a dozen production crews signed up for the inaugural fast-film event, much to Schaffer’s delight, while also hoping to garner more interest with a possible 2023 return to the table.

“I would love to see at least 20 teams spend a weekend in the city frantically making a film that brings our beautiful city to the screen,” he said.

“My secret dream is for Port Moody to host a larger arts festival with the film competition where we can showcase more Port Moody artists from different disciplines.”

Prior to the festival, Frantic Breeze organizers also hosted a three-day youth workshop that gave participants either an introduction to filmmaking or to hone their storytelling skills.

Schaffer explained that all of this was made possible through the City of Port Moody’s support as they provided $7,000 to make the festival a reality and added that staff members were thrilled with the end result.

“We’ve had great feedback from city residents, city staff and local businesses…We wanted people to see what was possible. Before this competition, the people of Port Moody would never have seen a small, independent film crew at work. We wanted the people of Port Moody to have a front-row seat to see the creative process at work.”

Presenters during the Frantic Breeze Awards ceremony included local actor Hiro Kanagawa, Port Moody–Coquitlam MLA Rick Glumac, Port Moody Coun. Zoe Royer and Tri-Cities Film Studio founder Lisa Durupt.

Judges also included Corner Gas and Port Moody Secondary alum, Fred Euwanuik.

The full list of winners and their prize money is as follows:

• Best Film and Youth Award ($600 total)

  • Unpacking by Neighborhood Productions

• Second Place ($300)

  • The life of a bear by AF2 Films

• Audience Choice Award ($150)

  • Repeat by 3 Kapo Studios

• Best Actor from Tri-Cities Film Studio ($150)

  • Harrison Maynard for Cross the Bridge

• Port Moody Best Use Award ($100)

  • Who is Bert Flynn? by In A Flicker Productions