STAND Wins Best Film at the Vancouver Festival of Ocean Films

Over the past weekend, the Vancouver Festival of Ocean Films (VFOF) was held at the VIFF Theater in Vancouver. The VFOF is the first film festival that STAND has screened at and incidentally, it won the prize for “Best Film”. To say that we were humbled is an understatement. For claiming the top award, festival sponsors, One Ocean Expeditions generously donated a trip for 2 to Antarctica. Yup. You read correctly… Antarctica. Antarctica has been a dream of mine personally since I first ventured into the outdoors and I know Nic is equally excited. On Saturday, after Arron Lawton, the owner of One Ocean met Norm, he was graciously insisted that the prize be 3 seats, enabling Norm to join us.

STAND opened the festival with a screening on Saturday night in front of a sold out theater. Norm and Nic did a behind the scenes presentation, talking about some of the stories, characters and adventures during the shooting of STAND. Norm talked about his experiences in the Great Bear, the inter-connectivity of the forests and ocean, as well as some of the physical and mental challenges he faced during the Haida Gwaii expedition.

Only in it’s fourth year, the festival has generated substantial support from One Ocean, Mountain Equipment Co-Op, The Georgia Strait Alliance and the Georgia Strait news and arts magazine. The brainchild of Peter Alfred, a long time paddler and citizen concerned for the welfare of the planets oceans the VFOF is sure to continue growing and showcasing the beauty and fragility of the ocean. The following day featured the screenings of some heavy hitting documentaries such as “The Big Fix” and “The Island President“.

Thanks to the director of the VFOF, Peter Alfred for a great event and be sure to look out for the festival this time next year. Another huge thank you to the folks at One Ocean Expeditions for the prize! Watch this space for a trip report from Antarctica.