December 6th, the Victoria Film Festival (VFF) is holding its annual FilmCAN program. This is a filmmaking competition for middle school and high school students. This year the VFF has made the program available to students all over Vancouver Island (including the Gulf Islands), offering young filmmakers a great opportunity to connect with wider audiences and to screen their film at this important Film Festival. Deadline to submit online to Vimeo is December 15, 2010. Winners receive prizes, and a chance to screen their film at the Victoria Film Festival.

The aim of this program has been to educate and expose students to filmmaking and to encourage, motivated students to create the best film possible. However, the program is also evolving into more than just a filmmaking competition, it is becoming a platform for comradery. Participating students get an opportunity to find out who else in the community is actively engaged in filmmaking. "It's a medium that benefits from working with other like-minded individuals" states Kathy Kay, Director of VFF. Students are discussing the art and technicalities of filmmaking, and supporting each other’s work. Erin, a student from the senior category commented on another student’s film on the discussion forum: “That...was fantastic! I legitimately lolled [laughed out loud]. You have my vote!”

The FilmCAN program has also gained the business community’s support. For example, one of the prizes for best film is an iMac loaded with Final Cut Express, that is being awarded courtesy of SOHO Computer Services. President Barry Rodda said “We're proud to be able to give our backing to creative and aspiring young artists as our contribution to the Victoria's Arts community”. The VFF is honoured to be able to provide this community-driven platform that gives students an avenue to express creativity.