The Western Smartphone Film Festival 2019
The Western Smartphone Film Festival is back for the 4th year and soon will be wrapping up the official Registration period and then those registered will start the work on creating their films for this year’s festival.
The Western Smartphone Film Festival is a student-run organization at Western University in London, Ontario that is focused on developing youth in the field of film and entertainment by means of an annual smartphone short film festival. With a focus on inclusivity and garnishing Canada's diverse and talented student population, the festival team uses a smartphone as a platform to allow a broad range of students to explore their creativity and further fuel their passion for the arts without the burden of expensive equipment.
Renee Yik
WSFF Executive Director
Emily Shaw
WSFF Promotions Director
Sebastian Chavez
WSFF Finance Director
This year’s Executive Director of the festival is Renee Yik, a 4th-year student at Western University studying at the Ivey School of Business with an interest in the film and fashion industry. She is excited about the WSFF’s potential to inspire and cultivate a community of support, passion, and appreciation. “I’ve been a part of the festival for the past 3 years. Every year, I look forward to seeing the different and unique ways in which people interpret the theme and express themselves. Each film submission makes me so appreciative of the creativity and imagination that people hold. That’s why it’s so important to continue this opportunity for them to share their thoughts with their community”, says Yik. The 2019 festival committee team includes Sebastian Chavez (Finance Director) and Emily Shaw (Promotions Director) as well as a group of dedicated volunteers passionate about film.
The mission behind the WSFF is close to the hearts of the iFilmGroup team. iFilmGroup strives to network youth and seniors in the making of award-winning films. As each person involved in the group of various generations brings their skills and talents to make meaningful films as they transition through their life journey. The group focus on mentoring and giving opportunities for both young and old to be able to make films. “When you have a festival that is organized and run by students and has films that are made with such passion as what is submitted to WSFF, it’s pretty impressive”, says iFilmGroup co-founder Matthew Marshall. Marshall had the privilege of being one of the judges for the 2018 Festival. “The level of talent and films were very high, as was the professions and work ethic of the organizing committee that ran the festival”, Marshall adds.
Marshall was blown away last year to see the high quality and immense creativity that came out of the films that were entered. The films were of such high quality it was hard for Marshall and the other judges to come to a final decision on the top three films, “it was a hard choice and took some real discussion on the part of the judging panel” says Marshall. He was also part of an industry professional panel which took questions from the audience and students about filmmaking. “Overall the entire festival was an amazing film experience that is worth attending”, says Marshall. He hopes the WSFF continues to grow and why along with iFilmGroup wish to support and encourage the festival committee in helping the festival to reach out to more filmmakers as well as film lovers to come to see the films being made.
All films entered into the festival must be produced, directed and edited by students who are enrolled in a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution. All film submissions must be created during the period between theme release and film submission and must be filmed on a smartphone of any brand. All submissions must not have been released in any way on the internet or TV prior to the festival. Non-students may be used as actors as long as they are directed by a post-secondary student. The film must not exceed ten minutes in length including credits. Editing software is allowed and not restricted to software available on smartphones. Each film must incorporate the theme for that year’s festival. All content must be 14A rating appropriate. All non-English films must have subtitles.
This year’s theme is “PERCEPTION vs REALITY”.
Students are already getting their cast and crew ready and getting their thinking caps on to create, film and edit a short film that could be part of WSFF this year for a chance to win $500. The festival will take place on February 2nd, 2019
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