So the annual ‘Killer 63′ short film festival is making a return to Ottawa, Ontario Canada on Friday December the 18th this year… and we caught up with Filmmaker and organizer Josh Stafford!
Today I present something a little different interview wise… Today we see what the hell goes on with setting up your own film festival. ‘Killer 63’ is a short film festival that has run for the past 3 (about to make it 4) years and features horror based short films that have been made in 63 days (or less). I decided …what exactly has to be wrong with you to start up your own festival, and decided why not go to the source for the answers…I give you Josh Stafford!
ZI: Hi Josh, thanks for taking the time, I know it’s pretty busy getting ready for the show on (Friday) December 18th. Tell us a bit about the festival:
JS: Killer63 began as a short horror film festival featuring work from Ottawa filmmakers. The first year was full of nepotism, everyone involved were folks who had worked together on each others film- making projects in some capacity. It’s evolved and adapted a lil’ bit in the following years, but remains a one day fest showcasing a diverse batch of short Canadian horror stories (last year we screened a couple from Montreal, this year we might have one from a bit further away).
ZI: So, do you have a sadistic streak inside of you that one day said “Hey Josh…let’s start up our own festival…it’ll be easy!” In other words what drove you to do all of this?
JS: Well, there used to be a one day fest held in Ottawa called ‘Digi60′. I participated in that for a couple of years. When it folded, a few of my friends and I who had participated in the event were discussing it’s unfortunate demise. In the midst of the conversation, it dawned on me that I knew a lot of local filmmakers, and that I might be able to put together something. I contacted the other fest’s organizer to make sure I wasn’t stepping on anyone’s toes, and went from there.
I guess it was a drive to stay productive, and to do something that features and applauds local talent (mostly) and our favorite genre.
ZI: Now you have had some really awesome shorts over the course of the festival, why do you think there is so much talent in this area?
JS: No idea. Also no idea why so many talented people like making horror movies here. Strange.
ZI: I gotta ask as a horror/genre fan which do you prefer (and why) fast or slow zombies?
JS: I prefer slow zombies. Or as I call them, real zombies. I’ve spent my whole life researching, planning and plotting for the eventual zombie outbreak. I can handle real zombies, I’m not much of a runner though. With zoom-bies I’d be screwed.
ZI: The festival has built a home over they years at the Mayfair theatre, and has been really receptive to having you return- was it hard to convince them that first time that there IS a market for this kind of thing?
JS: The first time was a bit difficult. Then I was told the night of ‘year one’ that it was the best Mayfair turn-out of the year. Which was a nice compliment, especially since we were in the late late time-slot. This year though, the new and improved Mayfair is better then it’s ever been, loves screening horror stuff and local stuff…and well, co-ownership has it’s privileges. Hence, not only are we back, but we got a much better screening time-slot this time around too.
ZI: Now, you are not ‘just’ the organizer- you are a filmmaker yourself… tell us about how you got started in film.
JS: I didn’t get into the animation school that I was planning on attending, and ended up getting into film school instead. And I’ve been working in film and on my own stuff ever since.
ZI: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about?
JS: This is our fourth K63 screening, and looks like it’ll be our last in the one day format. Not sure exactly what’s going to happen in 2010, but looks like we’ll be expanding to a number of days and have some features thrown into the mix too.
Also, on the heels of K63 will come a different genre of one day fest: ‘Painted Lips & Lolly Licks’. Any film that explores themes of sex, romance or the erotic is eligible provided it’s 10 minutes or shorter and in by Feb 5th.
(contact Lee Demarbre at lee@themayfair.ca for more info)
Thanks again Josh, we’ll be sure to drag as many bodies (living or otherwise) to the KILLER 63 film festival at the Mayfair Theatre Friday December 18th at 9:15 pm… Sounds like a nice time to have it too- gets people out of all that Christmas shopping and gives them a break to unwind while watching some great films! Tell your friends and even some of your enemies!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
