WNDX 9th annual OTS8 line up and wrap up

Another great year is wrapped at WNDX with fantastic films and great audiences. Wish I could have stayed longer, but nice to catch up with everyone on the whirlwind trip. The 9th annual edition showcased a lot of new faces and many returning. A shout out to Cecilia Araneda who moves on from WNDX after founding and fostering the festival for so long. 

Many hits throughout the night, including Ian Bawa & Markus Henkels' hitman ghost story, and Curtis Weibe's sequel to his popular Rocket John.

Stephane Oystryk retuned to the OTS8 with a beautiful VIA train travelogue that was breathtaking and sublime, and Scott Fitzpatrick's documentary on historic Winnipeg homes was emblematic of what is possible with a plan, some research and creative limitations of a single cartridge.

And for all out visual epicness, Aaron Zeghers, Darren Young and Jim Pomeroy packed incredible visual impact into small gauge wonder. They looked amazing on the big screen and can't wait to see those works travel to other festivals soon.

Thanks for another great year WNDX, looking forward to the 10th anniversary next year!

Reel 1

Nicholas Taylor

Delf Gravert

Karen Asmundson

Thane Carr

Milos Mitrovic

Caroline Barrientos

Fabian Velasco

Ryan Simmons

Reel 2

Rory Fallis

Fernando Dalayoan

Eric Plamondon

Darren Young

Ian Bawa & Markus Henkel

Stephane Oystryk

Gwen Trutnau

Curtis Weibe

Reel 3

Damien Ferland

Kimberly Melnyk

Ian Yorski & Jennifer Juno

Scott Fitzpatrick

Aaron Zeghers

Kevin Bacon

Jim Pomeroy

Winnipeg, we're on our way

For some reason, I'm always up against the clock putting together the reels for the One Take at WNDX. All three reels are ready to go, which considering the screening is 48 hours away, isn't so bad (in some years, the reels were loaded the afternoon of the event with a makeshift rewind system in a hotel room). But the kicker is that the films are no where near Winnipeg, so we're counting on a WestJet flight to not be delayed by 1 minute so we can get everything to the Gas Station Theatre on time.

The years fly by, as we're back for the 9th edition at WNDX. some familiar names, and a few new ones mixed in. Lots of B/W this year, as colour reversal has become a bit more difficult to source.

Even though it always feels like we're in a rush to pull it all together, it's always incredibly worth it, to see what will unfurl at the premiere. Each year, there are so many great film, but one always rises above and goes on to great acclaim. This year Dave Barber wasn't able to make a film for the event, but he's still enjoying the rewards of his last year's hit as it continues on the festival circuit.

Who knows who will have a hit on this hands this year. One thing we do know is that it's always a great screening and Winnipeg gives it everything it's got in 50 feet of super 8 celluloid.

46 hours and counting…. I can hardly wait.