It’s that time of year, the leaves are changing, the halloween candy is rolled out at Overwaitea and halloween plans are being scheduled.
Natalie Skokan of TreeHouse Productions and Chantel Delaney, owner of Sprout Health Market, are collaborating to bring the first ever amateur short film festival and halloween party to Kimberley.
On Saturday, October 28 at the Centennial Hall, enjoy an evening of amateur films made by local residents and businesses followed by live music, drinks, dancing and of course, costumes.
“Chantel is a huge horror film buff, she has boxes of old black and white movies at home,” said Skokan. “I wanted to throw a big event, so we decided to merge the two ideas into one to create something new and exciting.”
The two are both relatively new to Kimberley and think that residents here have what it takes to make some horror film magic.
“Kimberley’s thriving community makes it easy to launch personal projects like this; there are so many creative and supportive people here,” Skokan said.
Films will be a maximum of 10 minutes with no minimum time requirement and Skokan says they can be about anything.
“They can be terrifying, gory, wacky, spooky, funny…” said Skokan, “we want people to be as creative as possible. This is a first time event so, depending on the turnout and response, we are hoping to start an actual film festival here in the future.”
Skokan says she secretly hopes that someone will make a film at the Kimberley Underground Mining Railroad, “it’s the perfect setting,” she said.
There will be a panel of expert, spooky judges who will determine the winner, and there will be two second prizes for both people’s choice and most creative. Prizes are geared towards teams of four, however, those entering may have as many people involved in their film as they want. There will be two hours of film screening and the order will be determined by the organizers. Films are “rated” 18A, therefore it is an adult only event, and the judges reserve the right not to screen a film.
Doors will open at 7p.m., films will begin at 7:30p.m., and local musicians Oliver and Lennon will kick off around 10p.m.. Tickets are $25 and include one free beer from Overtime Brewery. It is free to submit a film, however.
Skokan says that costumes are mandatory and there will be a prize for the best one. There will be a cash bar with beer from Overtime, spirits from Bohemian Spirits, wine, a photo booth and dancing.
Volunteers are needed to help with the event from set-up and take-down to decorations and more. If you have any halloween decorations lying around, Skokan and Delaney will gladly take them off of your hands.
Skokan says they have a unique opportunity for anyone under the age of 18 who wants to participate as well.
“We have the hall for the entire day,” said Skokan. “So if a group wants to get together to host their own PG13 [rated] film screening in the afternoon they can utilize two hours or so at no cost to them. Tickets for the PG13 event would only cost $5 and all funds raised would be donated to the SPCA. ”
Sponsors include Sprout Health Market, Overtime Brewery, Lockdown Cranbrook, Landmark Cinemas, Skookum Adventures, Bohemian Spirits, Big Magic, Stonefire Pizza and Spirit Rock Climbing Gym.
Tickets are available for purchase through Sprout Health Market or eventbrite.ca > Kimberley Horror Fest.
Skokan says that any and all local businesses are encouraged to submit a film of their own. For more information, to sign up as a volunteer and/or to donate your halloween decorations contact Skokan at natalieskokan@gmail.com or Delaney at chantel@sproutgrocery.com. Follow the Kimberley Horror Fest Facebook page for updates, ticket giveaways, and film snippets leading up to the event.
Films will be accepted until the day of the event and can be sent in MP4 format to chantel@sproutgrocery.com, or submitted through Google Dive, Drop Box or a USB drive.