During this coming weekend, a whole roster of Bowen Island students will be judged in award competitions for their work in short films.
Robin de Zwart and his younger sister Eva worked together on a short film, Circular, which has gained them nominations at the 2nd annual Canadian Joey Awards. The Joey Awards recognize the commitment of young people within the world of film, TV and stage.
Eva was nominated for Best Actress in a Short Film: Circular and Best Actress in Live Theatre: The Velveteen Rabbit, a musical performed by IDLC students. Robin was nominated for Best Actor in a Short Film and Best Young Filmmaker/Director: Circular. Plus, they were both nominated for Best Young Ensemble in a Short Film: Circular, together with twins Samantha and Benjamin Kerr, and Ethan Harrison.
In addition to the Joey Awards, the International Student Film Festival Hollywood recently selected 57 films. Two Canadian films were selected, and both were made by Bowen Island filmmakers. Robin’s film Circular, as well Emmett Emmet’s short film Somnium, with its emphasis on visual effects, are up for awards. This is Emmett’s second nomination for the award. Emmett is set to release another short film in December, which he shot around Bowen Island.
Circular has so far been accepted into 15 international film festivals and has received6film festival awards. Two Awards of Recognition for Leading Actress :Eva, an Award of Recognition for Supporting Actor: Robin; an Award of Recognition as well as an Award of Merit for Young Filmmaker – 17 and Younger: Robin, and an Award of Recognition for Best Film Short.
The Circular cast and crew had a troupe of mentors on board, including directors Samantha and Kailey Spear, motion design director Ron Serna, actress and acting coach Michelle Harrison, as well as musician Cynthia Fairbank. The script was written by the De Zwart family, recounting an aunt’s childhood adventure.
Robin and Eva learned some tools of their trade over the summer at the Gulf Islands Film and Television School on Galiano Island, where they worked on three more short films. The siblings haven’t been resting on their laurels since the summer. Robin performed as Orlando de Bois in Tir-na-nog’s production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, worked on a vampire series, picked up some freelance work and is currently directing a commercial. Eva performed in Tir-na-nog’s A Telling of Tales, and both siblings are rehearsing for The Hobbit.
