A local filmmaker has taken his film from idea to award show in a little over a month.
Kelowna’s own Shri Ananda won the ‘Script 2 Screen’ contest hosted by OSIF (the Okanagan Society of Independent Filmmaking) at the beginning of the year.
The local indie film maker spent only seven weeks planning, shooting, editing, producing and editing his short film Out of the Darkness.
Photo Credit: Out of the Darkness.Star of the film, Shannon Johnston, plays lead character Mia.
“We were shooting 16 hours a day, sometimes more,” said Ananda. “There is no way we could have done it without the absolute flood of community and business support.
“It was amazing how the Kelowna community stepped up.”
Photo Credit: Glen Eldstrom Photography.Director of Photography and Co-Producer, Travis Cross.
Locals pulled together to help find shooting locations, sign up as food sponsors and volunteer. In fact, a total of 68 volunteers and companies joined the project.
“As soon as they heard the story of the film, they were moved to be on board.”
Photo Credit: Glen Eldstrom Photography.Denise Barnes (right) did hair, makeup and wardrobe for the film.
According to Ananda, 'Out of the Darkness' is an inspirational story of Mia who starts to abandon the corporate world for something more.
As it turns out, the dedication and collaboration paid off because the film was ready in time for Okanagan IndieFest, which showcases local filmmakers.
On March 24 the film was chosen to be screened at the Paramount Theatre, along with 11 other short films and documentaries as part of the IndieFest.
Ananda and his team took home two awards including 'Best Cinematography' and 'Best Post-Production'.
Photo Credit: Out of the Darkness.Shri Ananda (left) and Travis Cross (right) celebrate their wins.
Next up, Ananda says they’ll be submitting the film to Toronto Film Festival as well as Sundance.
“People need to see this movie,” he said.
The official premier in Kelowna will be Sunday May 1, 2016 at the Kelowna Community Theatre.
Photo Credit: Deon Nel Photography.The crowd at the Okanagan IndieFest.
The director's cut will be followed by a live musical performance of Adam Meachem, and an art exhibit of Shannon Johnston who also appears in the film.
Tickets and information are available at the film’s website.
Photo Credit: Out of the Woods.
