Whether it’s from a dystopia or a dream, over 30 filmmakers will visually display what it means to escape this weekend. The 2022 Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival showcases short films on the topic of escape from December 16 to 18. Festival organizers say there is tons of creativity on display in the flicks depicting events worth getting away from, which, as it happens, were made during the pandemic.
“The theme of Escape really had the filmmakers thinking about stories that saw their characters escaping the life they’ve chosen, trying to escape an illusion or dream, or in a few cases, turning the idea of escape on its head—because sometimes you can’t escape the life you’re living,” Emily Ramsay, Executive Director of Digi60, said in an email to Apt613.
Last year’s Digi60 mixer. Photo provided.
The three-day festival will feature 35 digital films made within 60 days by emerging Ottawa-area filmmakers, screenwriters, and actors. Films run no longer than seven minutes and range in genre from drama and comedy to documentary. In its 18th year of programming, the festival aims to foster a community hub for local filmmakers to create, expand their skills, and network with industry professionals. This year, over 60 percent of contributors are first-time participants.
“I love watching the films from first-time participants to see how they interpret the theme,” Ramsay said. “When it comes to scripted shorts, though, I love comedy. Colin Masterson and Eric Lee’s I Dream of Pugman and Nathan Yee’s This is Not Financial Advice were a lot of fun!“
Panel discussion at last year’s Digi60 festival. Photo provided.
The festival is not only about escape. In addition to the 60-minute films, nine community shorts are screening on December 16. They range from 5-19 minutes long and focus on the themes of self-discovery, community-building, and identity.
On top of seven professional development awards up for grabs, live entertainment will also be in the mix. The live pitch event will see five filmmakers pitch an idea to a public panel of producers, much like Dragons’ Den. Participants in the pitch event will be given feedback on their projects, as well as career advice and insight into industry trends.
A workshop at last year’s Digi60 festival. Photo provided.
“There’s something about a community rallying behind your idea or cheering you on that makes you excited to go out and make another film,” Ramsay said. “We want the filmmakers to walk away with that sense of community and belonging.”
Digi60 also aims to amplify and mentor underrepresented creators. The festival’s speed mentoring and mixer for underrepresented creatives is for people who “identify as having been traditionally underrepresented or marginalized by the film and television industries,” said Ramsay. The mixer pairs creatives with over a dozen industry decision-makers to explore the ins and outs of a film career: “It’s a really great opportunity for creatives who have felt like there haven’t been opportunities to break through or meet someone in person, or for us to toss aside the gatekeepers of the industry and put independent filmmakers in front of those decision-makers directly.”
Last year’s Digi60 mixer. Photo provided.
Ramsay added that the festival is meant for everybody, including people who have questions about filmmaking and don’t know where to start. Digi60 also offers year-round programming for creators.
As for this year’s festival? “It’s not to be missed,” Ramsay said.
Digi60 Filmmakers’ Festival runs from December 16–18 at Arts Court, Ottawa Art Gallery, and the Digital Arts Resource Centre. Tickets range in price from free to $43.45 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.
