Yorkton becomes the short film capital of Canada for the weekend as the 64th edition of the Yorkton Film Festival takes place this week in the city.
Festival manager Randy Goulden said they have a full four days of events all focused on celebrating Canadian film and in encouraging those in the industry to continue with their craft.
Goulden said the Festival focuses a lot of attention on supporting young and emerging filmmakers, starting at the school level.
With that in mind Goulden said they are very pleased to have Paul Dutton attending the festival and doing a workshop at Yorkton Regional High School where he himself went.
"We're very excited about Paul Dutton coming back," said Goulden.
Dutton is returning after a visit to the Oscars. The former Yorkton resident spent three-and-a-half years as Animation Director and Assistant Director on the film 'The Illusionist' which was a finalist for the Best Animated Film.
The school workshop, "is something he requested because he had so much support from Mrs.(Diane) Koch (YRHS art instructor) when he was in school," said Goulden.
Other filmmakers will be visiting elementary schools in the city Friday to give workshops.
Goulden said the Festival also is promoting the emerging field of social networking and multi-platform distribution.
With that in mind there will be a sort of homage to Thelma and Louise, which they are entitling Katrina and Erica, the alter egos of Katrina Ham and Erica Hargreaves.
"They will be driving in a convertible from Saskatoon to Yorkton, Tweeting and Flickering the trip," said Goulden, adding they will end the trip at the Western Financial City Centre Park Thursday evening, where the duo will receive the key to the city.
In terms of multi-media, workshops are also planned.
Goulden said SMPIA will present 'The Business of Multi-Platform Delivery: One Ocean, a case study'.
A synopsis of the workshop Friday is, "we are surrounded by a multi-platform convergent media world that is changing the way we create, consume, learn and interact with each other. In order for producers, filmmakers, and directors to navigating the future of Canadian entertainment we need to switch the focus from 'What can we do?' to 'What should we do?' This workshop will explore the definition of an interactive producer, discuss the business concerns when using multi-platform media, and review the value of incorporating a new media component into the development process." The panel will include Alexa Rosentreter, General Manager and Interactive Producer, Merit Motion Pictures; and Vergil Kanne, Tactica. The moderator will be Nova Alberts, SMPIA's Digital Media Initiative Manager.
On Saturday Now Leaving on Platforms 1-42: Transmedia Storytelling will be held.
"Trends, tools and techniques to take your project from one screen to just about everywhere. The idea behind this workshop is to introduce filmmakers to transmedia storytelling. Create content that extends beyond one platform onto many others including social networks, other technologies, the physical world and reaches out to many audiences and participants through different points of entry," detailed a synopsis. The moderator will be Richard Gustin, joined by Caitlin Burns, Erica Hargreave, and Rob Bryanton.
The City Centre park event will be a highlight Thursday and will have a Saskatchewan Roughrider theme.
Goulden said people are encouraged to wear green and participate in a presentation of the CFL Commissioner's Award.
During the Canadian Football League Grey Cup week festivities last November Goulden accepted the Commissioner's Award which was presented to Saskatchewan Roughrider fans everywhere.
The highlight of the entire festival will be the Golden Sheaf Awards Gala honouring the best in Canadian short film. It will be held Saturday evening at the Gallagher Centre.
