From mockumentaries to music docs, filmmakers are turning to Alberta to bring their ideas to the big screen.
Rino Mioc
Edmonton-based director Rino Mioc debuts his film Earth to Colby, a mockumentary about a paranormal-obsessed girl’s disappearance. A horror fan since early childhood, Mioc has long been drawn to this genre.
“I started watching horror films in elementary, and I was so moved by them that I just gradually decided that that’s the kind of stuff that I’d want to make too,” said Mioc.
The film explores the choice to follow your own path and push back against societal norms. For Colby, that means an unwavering pursuit of the paranormal.
“It’s okay if people want to approach life a different way than you do, and that’s kind of Colby’s whole thing, all she ever wants to do is investigate the paranormal,” said Mioc. “I hope to kind of inspire people to find a way to pursue their own art and dreams.”
Jody Wilson
Jody Wilson’s Vancouver-shot film The Bearded Girl takes a unique approach to the classic coming-of-age tale of finding where you belong. Now based in Vancouver, Wilson has had a lifelong love of film, attending the theatre no matter what was playing.
“I think my inspiration is a film for a story for people who like, you know, really don’t feel like they fit in. Maybe some of it was my own growing up,” said Wilson.
The movie was filmed in Vancouver but made to look and feel like rural Alberta, where Wilson grew up.
“My favourite was wanting to keep it an approachable, easy to digest, fun story, and then take the lesson so it’s hopefully relatable by all types of people and different ages,” said Wilson.
Simon Glassman
Stand-up comedian, cartoonist, and caricaturist Simon Glassman brings a unique twist to his film Buffet Infinity, which is heavily inspired by late-night TV commercials.
“Going through all the commercials and feeling like there has to be some kind of connection between all of them or fantasizing if maybe there was,” said Glassman.
This Edmonton-made film stitches together separate ideas in unexpected ways, creating a story that the viewers can slowly piece together. Glassman recruited his friends and family to help with and act in the film, even casting his own baby.
“I just have a giant bank of buddies and friends and acquaintances that were just willing to work for dirt cheap and help me out,” said Glassman.
Buddy Day
Buddy Day turned the camera on punk legends NOFX in his documentary following the band’s two-year-long tour. Day didn’t take the direct path into film despite growing up with parents in the industry; he started out in healthcare before deciding film was for him.
“I grew up with NOFX, getting to spend 2 years with those 4 guys who I idolize was surreal and intense, and I’ve never laughed so hard in my life,” said Day.
This project was on Day’s list of dream projects he wanted to make, and the opportunity took him to film in Japan, Australia, the United States, and Canada.
“We had incredible access to NOFX and the punk rock community at large, and why the film works is because they were willing to be completely honest, and just allow themselves, allow the film to be real,” said Day.
Avalon Fast
Director Avalon Fast has always been driven by her DIY roots, making films at just eight years old. At 19, she shot her first feature Honeycomb, which kicked off her filmmaking career.
“Honeycomb went on to play Slam Dance, which changed the scope of my filmmaking world, and then kind of put me on the map. And from there, it was just a continuation of, ‘how can I keep doing this?’ Because I love doing it.” said Fast.
Now, Fast is bringing her Kananaskis-shot and Calgary-based film Camp to CUFF. The film was heavily inspired by friends of Fast, and her observation of their lives.
“There is something interesting to having a big emotional reaction that isn’t necessarily sealed up by the time the film finishes. Really, what I like is just to hear what people feel and for them to feel comfortable enough to share with me,” said Fast.
Brendan Lyle
Cape Breton filmmaker Brendan Lyle brought his music video experience to the screen in his film, following Tracy and Martina, internet personalities touring across Alberta. Originally tagging along to film social media content, Lyle realized there was potential for something more there.
“There was this one scene where they got into an argument. It felt so real that, even when I was watching, knowing these are just my friends, it felt different from all the other Tracy Martina content out there. So I ended up cutting together like this entire movie essentially,” said Lyle.
The film centres around friendship, and the idea that no matter what happens, that bond will never be broken.
“For me, it is about friendship. I see a friendship between Tracy and Martina that is so real and authentic and deep,” said Lyle.
