The Vancouver Short Film Festival (“VSFF”) has announced its 2021 program, which will highlight some of the most innovative and original films British Columbia has to offer. If you’re tired of the same old streaming content over the last few months, this will be some refreshing entertainment!
Vancouver Short Film Festival 2021
When: January 22-24, 2021 Where: Online Tickets: Available January 6, 2021
To celebrate the incredible talent of BC’s filmmakers VSFF has expanded their festival to include 61 short films premiering over three days. This includes their popular genre-focused After Dark program, which is now a double-feature grind house style screening of 15 terrifying, experimental, and action-packed short films. They are also highlighting some of BC’s strongest emerging talent with 11 student films from 7 different schools.
Program Highlights
This is a Period Piece (dir. Bruna Arbex, starring Matreya Scarrwener) Dramedy. A 13 year old confronts her fears of becoming a woman on the night she gets her period for the first time.
FREYA (dir. Camille Hollett-French, starring Rhona Rees & Elysia Rotaru) Sci-Fi/Drama. A young woman attempts to regain control of her body in a future where social media and the State operate as one.
The Tailor (dir. Nathalie Therriault, starring Megan Danso & Hiro Kanagawa) Drama. A gender non-conforming person struggling to assert their identity unexpectedly finds courage in an aging master tailor.
In addition to highlighting indie creators, this year’s VSFF also features big name talent. Notable titles include the sci-fi flick Watershed, starring Nathalie Boltt (Riverdale); the dark comedy A New Leash on Life, co-starring Fred Ewanuick and Nancy Robertson (Corner Gas); Logan Lee & the Rise of the Purple Dawn, a sci-fi comedy starring Osric Chau (The Flash, Supernatural); and the LGBTQ thriller/drama The Quieting, directed by Canadian Screen Award winning actress Ali Liebert (Bomb Girls) and starring Sara Canning (Nancy Drew, A Series of Unfortunate Events) and Julia Sarah Stone (Honey Bee, The Killing).
It will be a quiet weekend, with Christmas Day on Friday and limited gatherings and events. However, you can still enjoy a few online shows, light displays, and fun at a handful of local attractions. Here’s the festive Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend roundup:
For the 19th consecutive year, the Kingsway Vancouver and Richmond Centre White Spot locations will do something very special for their community over the holidays. For 2020, they’re offering White Spot Christmas Day Takeout, in support of two local charities.
White Spot Christmas Day Takeout for Charity
The limited edition takeout menu (view PDF here) includes Butternut Squash Soup, or a traditional roast turkey dinner, White Spot’s famous burgers (including the Avocado Impossible™ Burger), family takeout bundles, pumpkin pie dessert and more.
All net proceeds, including gratuities will be donated, from White Spot Christmas Day Takeout at these locations will be donated:
Where: Richmond Centre (Unit 1902 – 6551 No. 3 Road) When: Wednesday, December 25, 2020 from 11:00am to 3:00pm Cause: Richmond Hospital Foundation
Richmond Hospital Foundation, is a registered charity, dedicated to ensuring donors’ dollars have 100 percent impact on improving health care in Richmond. We work closely with our doctors and health care teams as well as hospital leadership to ensure donations are directed to areas of greatest need.
Where: Kingsway (1476 Kingsway at Knight Street) When: Wednesday, December 25, 2020 from 11:00am to 3:00pm Cause: Variety – The Children’s Charity
Variety – the Children’s Charity steps in where health care ends, providing direct help to children with special needs in BC. For over 50 years, Variety has ensured that children have the support to reach their potential and thrive.
Follow White Spot on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on their latest menu offerings and promotions.
There are two types of otter species you might find around Vancouver: First is the more elusive Sea Otter, like the Internet-famous rescued pup Joey at the Vancouver Aquarium, which is mainly found on the west coast of Vancouver Island and further north along the BC coast. Second, there are the River Otters in Lost Lagoon and surrounding bodies of water.
River Otters in Lost Lagoon
This past weekend while out for a stroll in the neighbourhood, John and I came across the otters in Lost Lagoon who were splashing, swimming, and snacking on something delectable they found in the reeds. I was pretty thrilled since, as a runner who gets into the park far more often than me, John has seen much more wildlife in Stanley Park than I have. He’s spotted coyotes, otters, eagles, beavers, and more.
“We suspect the otters have multiple feeding sites in areas of the Park other than Lost Lagoon [Ch’ekxwa’7lech], as they are frequently spotted resting and playing along the seawall and on Siwash Rock [Slhx̱í7lsh], and have been known to hunt other mammals and birds along Beaver Creek,” notes the Stanley Park Ecology Society.
“The river otter’s strong tail and elongated body make it a terrific swimmer, and their excellent vision make them comfortable hunting in the water just as easily as on land. They can stay under water for up to eight minutes and can close their ears and nostrils to keep out water. You’ll see river otters not only in the lakes of Stanley Park, but also swimming along its beaches.”
Here are a few more differences between the two otters: “Found in both saltwater and freshwater, a river otter lounges around riverbanks and swims with its belly down, keeping the majority of its body submerged below the water,” according to the Ocean Conservancy.
“Sea otters, conversely, are found only in salt water and rarely go on land. They even have the adorable habit of floating on their backs, even while they’re eating, and have been known to hold hands with each other while sleeping so they don’t drift apart from their pals.”
The next time you’re out and about around Lost Lagoon, look for some movement in the reeds, and follow the trail of bubbles in the water, and you might just spot these playful creatures. Be sure to keep your distance to respect the wildlife.
Dan’s Legacy is a non-profit organization I’ve been proud to support for the past few years, and they’re making a difference in the lives of young people in our community who are facing the world alone.
They support youth who grew up in the foster care system, and those aging out of government care at 19. Because of significant trauma in their childhoods, they’re dealing with mental health and addictions issues, and things have only gotten worse with COVID.
Anxiety, depression and hospitalization for overdose and suicide attempts have gone up 50%. It’s a tough reality – but Dan’s Legacy’s team of therapists are there for the youth.
