Foothills youths are being challenged to get behind the lens and create stories in a filmmaking contest this summer.
The Okotoks Arts Council is inviting budding filmmakers ages 11 to 18 to break out their cellphones, recording cameras and other electronic devices and create three to 10-minute films in a genre of their choice for the Zooom Youth Film Festival.
“Basically what we want them to do is tell a story with their film,” said Okotoks Arts Council president Linda Macallum. “It’s a really good thing for the youth. It’s something that’s different and young kids are looking for something different.”
Macallum said the films can be a narration, documentary, live action or even animation and each project will be judged by a panel of local professional filmmakers on individuality, creativity, style, passion and emotional impact.
Although the arts council selected a theme for last year’s contest - what do you find beautiful in Okotoks - Macallum said the council decided not to have a theme this year.
“We thought, let’s run it without a theme and see what we get,” she said. “This is a great way to get their creativity out there. I’m hoping this gets momentum and starts to build.”
Macallum said last summer’s festival saw three entries. This year she’s already heard from almost a dozen who plan to register.
Shawna Koski, arts council member and director of the Zooom Youth Film Festival, organized a workshop with the Okotoks Film Festival in early July for youths interested in entering the contest with more than a dozen attending.
The filmmaking workshop taught those in attendance how to create their own story boards, how to film animation and how to set the stage for their video, she said.
Koski said she expected to see older teens attend the workshop and show an interest in entering in the Zooom Youth Film Festival, but those who showed up were mostly between the ages of 11 and 14.
Koski, who has background in stop animation, said the Zooom Youth Film Festival adds to the vibrant arts community in Okotoks.
“The arts council is trying to bring more education to the arts,” she said. “There isn’t much happening with film locally so we are trying to bridge that gap. We thought it would be a good way to bring youth together and learn about filmmaking.”
The Zooom Youth Film Festival focuses on the content of the films, not on how professionally the film was shot, said Koski.
“They can use their phones or anything they can get their hands on,” she said. “If it has a good story and is shot decently that’s what we’re judging it on.”
The registration fee to participate is $20 and submissions are due Aug. 31.
The first place winner will receive $1,000, the second place winner $500 and the third place winner $300. All of the films will be screened for public viewing at Okotoks Cinemas on Oct. 1
To enter the contest and for more information go to zooom.ca
