Preparing to celebrate the 10th anniversary in 2011, the Powell River Film Festival runs each February on the upper Sunshine Coast of BC, showcasing the latest independent documentaries, short films and feature dramas. We present the Adventures in Film Camp for 15-19 year olds with the local Rotary Club, and bring children to the theatre with our School Film Fest.

In the past we've had contest entries from the Ahousat First Nation on Vancouver Island, and film camp participants from the Siska First Nation near Lytton and the local Tla'amin (Sliammon) First Nation. We make an effort to include aboriginal voices in our film festival programming.

Here are some recommended films that young filmmakers may want to check out:
* "Patrick Ross" short film written & directed by Ervin Chartrand (available for purchase in NFB <http://onf-nfb.gc.ca> 's First Stories
collection, Volume 1)
* "Finding Dawn" feature documentary by filmmaker Christine Welsh (view online: http://www.nfb.ca/film/finding_dawn/ )
* "The Necessities of Life (Ce qu'il faut pour vivre)" feature drama by Benoit Pilon (view trailer online; rental DVDs should be widely available)

At this year's festival we will be premiering a local film about diversity by award-winning director Tony Papa. It includes perspectives from youth, and members of the Tla'amin First Nation. A trailer can be found by searching "Defining Diversity, Creating Community" on YouTube <http://www.youtube.com/> .

For more info please visit our website, www.prfilmfestival.ca. The Friends of Film Society of Powell River is a registered non-profit society.