Thanks for a great Film Fest!

As many already know, the 17^th Annual Northwest Film Fest certainly unfolded in unexpected ways this season. As its ultimate confirmation came at the 11^th hour, the NOSFA board was faced with pulling together the event in about five weeks which normally takes at least three months.  

It may be a cliché to call it a team effort but such was the case both in frenzied planning and efficient on-site execution. Thus, thanks go to the NOSFA board for their Herculean effort: Jim Bishop, Leanne Lavoie, Michael Sobota, Chris Arnone, Philippe Hamel, Helen Williamson-Alexander, Siobhan Farrell, Kevin Element, Ed Lavoie and Susan Lester. Kudos also go to film fest coordinator Catherine Powell.

The festival would not be possible without the support both financial and in-kind by local businesses. We extend gratitude to our film fest sponsors, many of whom have supported the festival for years and eagerly jumped onboard virtually sight-unseen while titles were still being confirmed. A very appreciative nod goes to: AIDS Thunder Bay; Confederation College’s Conflix program; Bistro One; RBC Dominion Securities; Thunder Bay Laser Clinic; Calico Coffee House; Wayne Hacquoil; Lot 66; Helium Highs; Caribou Restaurant; Thunder Bay Art Gallery; Kleewick Stained Glass Studio; Kuch, Stephenson, Gibson, Malo Architects; CKPR 91.5, The Argus, Lakehead University’s Student Newspaper; Fay Gleeson Dance Centre Inc; Bruce Hyer; The Chronicle-Journal; Creekside Nursery and Garden Centre; Video Network and Bearskin Airlines.

NOSFA also extends gratitude to General Manager Jim La Via and his staff at SilverCity for their gracious cooperation and efficient assistance in planning and execution.   Thanks also go to Cineplex for allowing the Film Fest to be staged at SilverCity and to the Film Circuit for their assistance in booking and traffic coordination.

The Best Supporting Cast award goes to the phalanx of film fest volunteers, both veteran and brand-new, who assisted with admission logistics, membership sales, hand-outs and patron traffic. NOSFA also appreciates the support of local media in their festival coverage and that of the good folks at Greyhound and Air Canada Cargo.

Lastly, but certainly not least, NOSFA extends thanks to its patrons and other film fest attendees for their support, not only for turning out in droves for the festival, but for the many enthusiastic comments made to us on-site concerning keeping the festival alive, the amenities of SilverCity, and, of course, the great films! Such gratitude makes a lot of hard work very worthwhile.

With this modest success, there is optimism that SilverCity will once again be the site of the next film fest. We hope to see you at 18^th annual Northwest Film Fest in 2011.

Sincerely,

Marty Mascarin

A few snaps from the festival