Record crowds take in fillms at the 8th Annual Dawson City International Short Film Festival

Facing beautiful sunlight and 13C temperatures, more than 1700 people came back into the dark to view an eclectic and exciting line up of films, workshops and panel discussions at the 8th Annual Dawson City Film Festival.

With a record number of visiting filmmakers from the Yukon and places such as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia, filmmakers and film goers were able to meet and greet in Dawson’s intimate setting.

The winner of the MITY (Made In The Yukon) professional award was AYDAYGOOAY by Mary Code. A beautiful film of a Dene legend told with a subtle combination of live action and animation. The runner up was DESCENDRE LA RIVIERE POUR PRIER by Marten Berkman. Whitehorse resident Arlin McFarlane won the MITY Emerging Talent award for her film TENDING TOWARD SILENCE. Dawsonite Kerry Barber picked up 2nd place with her crowd pleasing MY INDIAN BUM.

The Audience Favorite Award went to the New Zealand film BLUE WILLOW by Veialu Aila-Unsworth. AYDAYGOOAY by Mary Code was the second choice.

The Lodestar Award for best of the festival was A SHIFT IN PERCEPTION by Australian filmmaker Dan Monceaux. A film that celebrates the lives of three blind woman through the use of animation, time lapse photography and multiple mediums.

The festival featured special guests from the Toronto International Film Festival, The National Screen Institute, Video Artist Stephen Foster and Trailer Park Boys creator Mike Clattenburg. The festival wrapped up on Sunday night in true Yukon fashion with a spectacular display of Northern Lights for all the visiting filmmakers.