At our 2015 fest, 90% of the 252 questionnaires received from members of the public rated their film package, workshop, or panel discussion as good (38%) or great (52%). The following is a very small sample of the comments we received.

General screenings

“Enjoyable evening. Looking forward to rest of festival.” (Lynn McCormick, Perth, Ontario, Love is Blind)

“All of the films were amazing!” (Patricia Curtiss, Grande Prairie, Love is Blind)

“Everything is fantastic! I always look forward to the festival, and I’m always sad when it’s over.” (Amanda Samuelson, Grande Prairie, Love is Blind)

“Love having the Q&A after with a director.” (Megan Singh, Fort St. John, BC, Altered Reality)

“Fantastic – world class.” (Ann McLeod, Grande Prairie, Choices)

“Excellent choice of package contents and order.” (Robin Sissons, Grande Prairie, Identity Paradox)

“Awesome event – local films get better each year.” (Susan Picard, Grande Prairie, Peace Region Encore)

“Excellent venue and presentation.” (Paul Sissons, St. Albert, Family Ties)

“These were all excellent films. This is the best event GP has to offer. I leave every year touched in a new way. I love the international component especially for young people in GP to learn there is a great big world with many outlooks and walks of life. Looking forward to year ten!” (Marcia Walker, Grande Prairie, Best of the Fest)

“Great presentation and selection.” (Dan Gunther, MD of Greenview, Best of the Fest)

School screenings

“Films were completely appropriate and the kids loved them. Thanks!” (D. Dressaire, Grade 1 teacher, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Sexsmith, Let’s Play)

“A great and entertaining film package that was educational and directed towards kids and issues that they understand.” (Joni Hansen, Grade 3 teacher, Swanavon School, Let’s Play)

“Awesome selection and variety! My students really enjoyed themselves!” (Megan Hutchison, Grade 5/6 teacher, Penson School, Grovedale, Trading Places)

“Thank you for being so willing to make this work for us!” (Nancy Fontaine, Grade 5-8 Language Arts teacher, Eaglesham School, Eaglesham, Rebel Song)

“Excellent choices of films. Great variety of genres/styles. Brilliant and thought provoking experience!” (Lori Bradford, Grade 9 Language Arts teacher, Peace Wapiti Academy, Role Play)

“The layout of the day with the social topic in the am followed by the English topic in the pm was excellent – the fluidity of the films transitioning with the 30-second countdown works very well. The variety of the films within the packages was fantastic. The themes of the film packages were really well thought out with a clear connection to the materials and themes for high school English. I was really surprised and amazed by the high quality of the productions. I wish I had known this years before; I have missed so much.” (Donna deBruin, Grade 10-12 English teacher, St. Joseph Catholic High School, The Key and Role Play)

Filmmaker class visits

“Cody did a great job visiting with the kids. The city and the region are lucky to have such an event so well done so close.” (Devon Whipple, Film Studies teacher, Grande Prairie Composite High School)

Filmmaker Insights workshop for teachers

“I liked how he [Cody Blue Snider] discussed how he starts to write and I can use these ideas with my English students when they are creating short stories.” (Darcy Nielsen, English teacher, Peace Wapiti Academy, Fool’s Day – Concept to Creation workshop)

Filmmakers

“You rocked this year’s Reel Shorts! My family had a terrific time attending: you have a few more fans of the festival because of how much fun they had.” (Gordie Haakstad, Grande Prairie)

“We couldn’t be more honoured to have been a part of your festival, much less be paid for it! Again, thank you so much for the opportunity to screen in Canada! I’ve never heard of another festival paying to screen films. Means a lot.” (Daniel Campbell, Writer/Director of The Discontentment of Ed Telfair)

“I’ve been lucky enough to see a large number of the shorts in your programme over the last year and I have to say you have a truly exceptional line up.” (Brian Deane, Director of Volkswagen Joe)

Jury Members

“Selection of films – excellent. Venues – comfortable and technical was excellent (with a couple of small glitches). Great experience!” (Josh Miller, President of Panacea Entertainment, Edmonton)

“Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your festival. It was truly an experience I will treasure forever and you have no idea how much it meant to me. It really gave me a lot of much needed perspective. You have amazing taste and thank you for putting together a phenomenal line-up of films. Truly the best shorts programming I’ve witnessed.” (Cody Blue Snider, 2014 Audience Choice Winner for Fool’s Day which he co-wrote and directed, Los Angeles)