| SPIRIT OF BILL MASON LIVES ON IN WATERWALKER FILM FESTIVAL
PREVIEW
WATERWALKER FILM FESTIVAL
Friday, March 23
W.R. Castell Library
Just as all paddlers seek different pleasures when they head out in canoes or kayaks, the Sixth Biennial Waterwalker Film Festival seeks to provide different types of viewing pleasures for its audience.
"The festival is a gathering of films that are related to paddling," says Doug Frost of the Alberta Recreational Canoeing Association, one of the organizations sponsoring the event. "(A particular film) could be about canoes or kayaks, about a scenic trip, or one that's historical in nature."
Known throughout North America and internationally, with tour stops at more than 75 sites around the world, the festival offers a variety of films that target different types of padding enthusiasts. It plays to the tastes of hard-core adrenalin junkies wanting to see rapid after rapid, but it also caters to those seeking the quiet and serenity offered by nature films.
The festival provides more than just an opportunity for paddlers to whet their pre-season appetites to get back on the water. Since 1989, it has acted as a tribute to Bill Mason – Canada's legendary paddler, painter, author and filmmaker – and his contributions to canoeing and the protection of our natural environment. Mason's many films and books helped to symbolize the canoe as a Canadian icon. One unique aspect of this year's festival is the inclusion of Classic Solo Canoeing, the first film produced by Mason's daughter Becky.
The festival’s other major supporter is Mountain Equipment Co-op, and Brad Clute, the community relations co-ordinator at the Calgary MEC, says it is for both beginner and expert paddlers.
"(The films) would appeal to the seasoned paddler who wants to get hyped up before the season as well as the novice or never-before paddler who just wants to get motivated to do some paddling," says Clute.
The festival features 11 films, selected from more than 40 submissions entered in a variety of categories, like adventure/action, environment and heritage. The entries were all shown at an earlier event over the course of two evenings in Ottawa.
"From that event, we put together a package of the films that will go on the tour," says Heather Budgell, the Waterwalker film co-ordinator.
In addition to the screenings, Clute says there will be a community component to the event.
"MEC will be present with a display there, as will the Bow Waters Canoe Club, and some others," he says.
Although the films will start running at 7 p.m., Clute suggests people show up early to socialize and take part in the other activities associated with the festival.
For more information about the festival, log on to the CRCA website, (www.crca.ca) or call MEC at 269-2420. Tickets available at MEC.
SIDEBAR
In addition to Becky Mason’s film, this year’s festival includes:
Busy as a Beaver, a musical video about Castor canadensis
Give us a River, a look at the heroes and heritage of canoeing
Still Life, a film that explores the camera's ability to create images
42 Days – Back River 2000, a film about this magnificent barrens river
Wild and Complicated Freedom, a sea kayak journey around Ireland
Snowshoes and Solitude, about a couple's year in the Wabakimi wilderness
Wilderness Journey, the film version of a trip by Ian and Sally Wilson
Kayaking the Mystical Floating Island, Lake Superior by kayak
Rivers: Reflections of Life, how humans can live in harmony with a river
Tight Squeeze, the best of female paddling |
