This December, four recent graduates from Vancouver Film School’s acclaimed Film Production program will be headed to Whistler. However, they won’t but hitting the slopes or cozying up in a chalet. Instead, they’ll be debuting the incredible films they made at VFS at Whistler Film Festival – one of the most prestigious festivals for emerging Canadian filmmakers – on December 5 at 2:45 p.m. (don’t wait to get your tickets for these Whistler Film Festival student films!).
Ketchup: A Garage Band Ditty Rodeo, by Sam Huang, Sit With It, by Manav Shah, and Bubblegum Ice Cream, by Tegan Dobrich and Huy Hoang, are all VFS student films at Whistler Film Festival 2024 – a globally recognized event that showcases student and professional films from Canada and beyond, highlighting emerging talent in directing, screenwriting, and production. The films are part of the festival’s BC student films program, and we could not be prouder of these emerging filmmakers!
Ketchup: A Garage Band Ditty Rodeo, Sit With It, and Bubblegum Ice Cream are all VFS student short films premiering at Whistler Film Festival. A recognized film festival in Canada and internationally, Whistler Film Festival is an annual event where creativity meets community. Each year, it draws thousands of people from the industry, local audiences, & tourists alike, and provides global exposure for Canadian talent. The festival continually delivers a robust slate of talent programs and networking opportunities for Canadian artists including screenwriters, producers, directors, actors and musicians, and strives for gender parity, inclusivity and diversity.
We wanted to take a moment to shine the spotlight on this Vancouver Film School alumni achievement and the talented filmmakers who are already turning their hard work into success:
Ketchup: A Garage Band Ditty Rodeo
Directed by Film Production alum Sam Huang, produced by Paula Duque, and starring Natalie Gifford, Ash Raju, Lanvi Nguyen, Jamie Morris, Scott McQuarrie, Coletyn McCauley, and Christopher Jade, the film follows horror-fanatic Carmina. When her dad and brother plan a Cinephile's "Spook-Easy" on Halloween, Carmina is dead-set on proving that she's got something better to do by attending a rare print screening of Night Of The Living Dead – even if it means robbing the unassuming hipster who bought the last tickets.
An aspiring storyteller, Sam began her career in the grip department of a ULB Christmas feature. After several months of coiling cables and soldiering c-stands, she received a grant to attend VFS in 2023. Today, she uses her mixed academic background in Environmental Studies and Film Production to share and support stories surrounding identity, belonging, and safety in the globalized Internet age.
From left to right: Sam Huang, Manav Shah, Tegan Dobrich, and Huy Hoang. Directed by Film Production alum Manav Shah, written by Christophine Opsetmoen, and starring Bryan K. Bender, Sit With It is a heartfelt student film that explores themes of loss and emotional resilience. Tom, a middle-aged man who is a signature away from a divorce he doesn’t want. As he struggles to move on due to his lingering emotions, a blue chair shows up on his porch and continues to follow him everywhere. Despite his efforts, the chair keeps coming back until he finally decides to confront his emotions.
A writer/director from India, Manav was raised in a household that revered the cinematic experience. He has created several short films, each reflecting his unique style and storytelling sensibilities. He is particularly drawn to stories that weave the fantastical into the fabric of everyday life. Manav's ultimate aspiration is to helm big-budget commercial feature films that encapsulate deeply personal narratives, authentically reflecting his distinct voice and vision.
Co-Directed by Film Production alumni Tegan Dobrich and Huy Hoang, written and produced by Tegan Dobrich, and starring Nazik Edil and Elyse Jacobson, Bubblegum Ice Cream is a visually stunning short film that empowers women and addresses sensitive topics through bold storytelling. A film that deals with sexual assault, Tegan and Huy place the strength of women and all survivors at the forefront, providing a platform for survivors to embrace and nourish their femininity and encouraging them to speak out against injustice even in the face of adversity.
Tegan’s love for filmmaking started in her youth when she attended an arts-based school and was able to develop a strong foundation in visual storytelling and design. Driven by a passion for film and a desire to broaden her horizons, she moved to Vancouver to enrol in the Film Production program and pursue her passion. Huy is a meticulous filmmaker who specializes in script supervision. He began his career right here at Vancouver Film School – writing, directing, and producing independent films.