These students are a combined choir from the Grade 3/4/5 classes at both Fernwood and Salt Spring Island Elementary Schools, in Salt Spring Island B.C. Each school, lead by music teacher Whitney Walker, was excited to enter the CBC Challenge, but decided to work together to combine their voices, rather than submit two tapes. They have met weekly at noon for the last month or so in their respective schools, to learn their song. “Scars to Your Beautiful,” by Alessia Cara, was the Canadian selection they chose, because of the beauty of the message; “Just Be Yourself.” Then they came together on taping day, meeting for the very first time, to create their tape together to submit to the Music Challenge as one large choir. What a great experience it was singing together! https://youtu.be/tcP8gzNg3u0

Salt Spring National Art Prize organizers are thrilled by the enthusiasm shown by the national and local artists who attended, as well as art lovers who revelled in all three art showcases.  Winners were announced at a gala awards night before a packed house at Mahon Hall on October 19. Hailing from Winnipeg, the winner of the Salt Spring Prize (The Joan McConnell Award) is 28-year old artist Luther Konadu. His photograph, Figure as Index, captured the jury and held their attention in a way one juror described as “clever and confrontational; humorous and challenging and expansive in its interrogation of photography as meaning and form,” and another referred to his work as “a slow burn.” Konadu receives $15,000 and a Salt Spring Island artist residency of $5,000. Konadu was not expecting to win the Salt Spring Prize, “It never crossed my mind that it could be me out of the 50 plus finalists. I knew I couldn't attend and I thought there was a lot of great work being shown. …

Five Salt Spring artists have been named as finalists for the Salt Spring National Art Prize (SSNAP). They are among the fifty or so artists from across Canada to have their work eligible to win one of nine awards, six selected by jurors and three selected by public vote. Local artists are also in the running to take home the prestigious Salt Spring Prize (Joan McConnell Award) of $20,000 as chosen by an independent jury. SSNAP provides both emerging and established artists an amazing opportunity to be part of the same Canadian artistic dialogue. With over 1,200 artists submitting original, two and three-dimensional works from coast to coast, here’s the list of Salt Spring artists selected as finalists: Bronwyn Austin Josephine Fletcher Krysta Furioso John David James Carol Narod Salt Spring’s John David James is the only Canadian artist to be a finalist in all three SSNAP exhibitions. He says he’s thrilled to be able to push the boundaries of his work and c…

The following article was written by Jennifer Cikaluk as part of a series of articles about filmmakers coming to the Salt Spring Film Festival on March 1-3, 2019. Filmmaker Rami Katz will be attending the festival and leading a discussion about the film following the screening. The Filmmaker series is sponsored by Mid island Co-op. THE ISSUE OF MR. O’DELL: An interview with Director Rami Katz Vancouver based filmmaker Rami Katz’s interest in the visual image first began with still photography. Then in a high school cinematography course, he found his new passion, filmmaking. He enrolled in the Simon Fraser University Film programme and later advanced his studies at UBC to receive his MFA in Film Production. His master thesis film, The Issue of Mr. O’Dell premiered in 2018 and has been very well received. To date he has directed and produced several short length documentaries and his films have been screened at film festivals around the world. The Issue of Mr. O’Dell is…

The following article was written by Jennifer Cikaluk as part of a series about filmmakers coming to the Salt Spring Film Festival on March 1-3, 2019. Filmmaker Greg Durrell will be attending the festival and leading a discussion about his film following the screening. The Filmmaker series is sponsored by Mid Island Co-op. DESIGN CANADA: An interview with Director Greg Durrell Design Canada is a film which chronicles the becoming of Canada’s identity. When you take a look at Canadian iconic graphic design, it is easy to see Canada is one of the most well branded countries in the world. But where did it all begin? “Did Canadians design these symbols or in fact did these symbols design Canada” (Design Canada) Greg Durrell, a graphic designer and partner of a Vancouver based design firm, first became interested in graphic design in high school. He dreamed about being on the design team for the Olympic Games and eventually that is exactly what he did. Inspired by the de…

The following article was written by Jennifer Cikaluk as part of a series of articles about filmmakers coming to the Salt Spring Film Festival on March 1-3, 2019. Filmmaker Andrea Palframan who resides on Salt Spring will be attending the festival and leading a discussion about the film following the screening. The Filmmaker series is sponsored by Mid Island Co-op RAVEN PEOPLE RISING: An interview with Director Andrea Palframan On October 13, 2016 the tug boat Nathan E. Stewart ran aground off the shores of the Heiltsuk people’s territory in one of the most pristine habitats in the world and one of the last and largest intact temperate rain forests on the planet. The Heiltsuk have been faithful stewards of this territory along the Central Coast of British Columbia for centuries. It’s a place where sea meets the land within the Great Bear Rain Forest. “Heiltsuk territory is a vast and beautiful place. It’s a place which I call home with all my relatives. My home consist…

Welcome, one and all, to the 20th Anniversary of the Salt Spring Film Festival! We have a few special things planned for you to mark the occasion, so be sure to take a good look through the program this year. We have added an extra room to allow for more films and more repeat screenings. We know you love the extra value of discussing films with filmmakers. This year for the first time we will give the filmmakers a chance to interact not just with the audience but also with each other at Saturday’s Attending Filmmaker Discussion. The Friday gala is better than ever, with the return of the scrumptious gala hot dinner, plus celebratory wine, beer and special non-alcoholic drink. (And of course we are keeping the wildly popular popcorn, too!) We have also changed the Saturday/Sunday physical layout a little to ease congestion and make it quicker for you to access food and drink. Look for our new food area down the hall past the washrooms. Take a left from there to seek out a comfy …

This coming weekend, Salt Spring Islanders gather for film-going ritual at the Gulf Islands Secondary School. The Salt Spring Film Festival is an annual affair and draws much of the community together for an incredible Friday evening gala, two days of documentaries, and the social justice bazaar. After previewing over 100 documentaries over several months, volunteers of the Salt Spring Film Festival Society distilled their choices to about 40 films. They select a variety of films from around the world about the issues of our time. They could be anything from food, art, and music from India to our own back yard; social justice issues from Alberta to Iran; and inspiring films about the environment and human rights. A keen filmgoer could watch nine films over the entire weekend but wouldn’t be merely watching them. The festival is so much more than being passively entertained or educated. Last year, James Cowan, festival manager, shared a story that exemplifies th…

The Salt Spring Film Festival Society is a non-profit charitable society incorporated in 2008, whose mission is to educate, inspire and activate our community through a Festival of independent documentary film from Canada and around the world. We present films that explore social justice, the environment, art and culture, politics and food security. Filmmakers are invited to the Festival to present their films and lead lively discussions. The Salt Spring Film Festival presents documentary film from Canada and around the world. We show films that explore social justice and human rights, the environment, LGBT and gender issues, First Nations, education, arts and culture, and more. 2018 Festival Program 2018 Festival Schedule

Judy Anderson’s “This one brings me the most pride” takes home the top prize, while Salt Spring artists Garry Kaye and Peter McFarlane also take home awards…  The winners of the second Salt Spring National Art Prize (SSNAP) have been announced with Calgary artist Judy Anderson winning the Salt Spring Prize for her work, “This one brings me the most pride”.  Local winners of note include Garry Kaye for the Alliance of Salt Spring Artists Award, along with a People’s Choice Award and Peter McFarlane who was also selected for a People’s Choice Award. The Salt Spring Prize went to Anderson for her mixed media work, hailed as a piece worthy of the National Gallery of Canada. The 3D installation, combined beads, moose hide, otter skin and a goalie mask and draws on Indigenous teachings, knowledge and ways of making to honour the people in her life, in particular her youngest son, Riel. The Salt Spring Prize (The Joan McConnell Award) includes a $12,000 cash prize and $5,000 …