15 Shorts at Hub City Cinema Showcase

Denisa Kraus
Apr 21, 2015
2 min read

Nanaimo's filmmaker and film enthusiast community seems to be gaining an interesting momentum. Not even three months after the 10th VISFF, another event comes to the Malaspina Theatre on Saturday April 25, bringing 15 local short films assembled into a two-hour show. And while the Hub City Cinema Society has held several smaller showcases in the past years, this will be the second big celebration of local talent, and (given the number of well known names in this years film's credits) maybe an opportunity to spot another future filmmaker superstar.

A Film Jam squad

(Photo courtesy of Hub City Cinema Society)

The showcase offers a diversity of styles, genres and even stories behind each film.

It ranges

from a debut (Mind Game Demon by beginning filmmaker Angie Hawes) to a Tash Baycroft's well travelled veteran of international festivals (Gone, featuring the late Glee star Cory Monteith);
from Todd Jones' latest audience favourite at the VISFF (At Death's Door) to Zachary Tannar's shortlisted entry to the Victoria Short Film Festival in 2014 (Framed);
from an improvised mystery quest for stolen cookies (The Cookie Case) to Raymond Knight's atmospheric music video (When I'm Gone by Robert's Hall).

Three of the films are black and white, another two, the “Spotlight Shorts,” are a collaboration with Nanaimo's Spotlight Academy and the Hollywood stuntman Peter Kent.

Oher three of the shorts, The Cookie Case, Sorry Grandma, and My Last Case, are the results of the Film Jams, a regular and currently most popular event hosted by the Society. On each Jam, the team of filmmakers has six hours to develop a story and film it in a given location. All skill levels are welcome to these events, as there are no requirements for experience or expertise.

“It's a great way to meet local filmmakers and get to know them creatively and collaboratively,” says Zachary Tannar, the founder and president of the Society.

To get the idea what a Film Jam is or can be, feel free to join the next Film Jam on Saturday, May 9.

Feature film craving guests will have a chance to preview Raymond Knight's long-awaited thriller Beyond Control, and watch the trailer to The Wrong People by the Francis brothers. (Yes, Van Isle has their own filmmaker/brother duo).

The $10 admission will serve a good cause for local filmmaking - the Society plans to generate enough revenue to invest into the studio at the China Steps downtown, and buy proper signage, sandwich boards, “nicer lighting”, and new shelving inside.

Tickets will be sold at the door, and pizza and popcorn in the lobby. The following afterparty at Fiber Magees will be free and open to everyone longing to schmooze with the filmmakers.

More info including the Showcase program and time, complete film write ups and details are available on the events Facebook page.