CALGARY, June 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Top prize for the inaugural Eddies Short Film festival has been awarded to Red Deer producer, Brendan O'Brien and his "An Alberta Farm" documentary. O'Brien's documentary about the changing landscape of the family farm picked up the $10,000 cash prize at the inaugural Big Rock Eddies Short Film Festival at Theatre Junction Grand in Calgary, Alberta.
The winning short tells the touching story of Alberta dairy farmer Bruce Bell and his struggle to keep the family farm alive.
"When I read about submission requirements for the Eddies this year, that they had to be themed around tradition, I immediately thought of Bruce and his story," said O'Brien.
"Bruce was really open and honest. We talked for about 3 hours. It was hard to edit it down to just 5 minutes."
O'Brien owns Red Van Studio in Red Deer. He plans on using the cash prize to buy new equipment and will shop around his winning doc to upcoming film festivals.
"Stock" a black-and-white documentary about Calgary artist David Brunning, produced by Gabriel Yee, took home second place honors and a cash prize of $5,000. Yee, who owns 403K Films, says his exposure to industry insiders via The Eddies has provided him with some ideas on how to promote his documentary moving forward.
"The key for me was learning that I have to give my film the service it needs to get out there," says Gabriel who had a chance to network with a celebrated panel of judges that included Hell on Wheels actor Anson Mount, Calgary TV producer Chad Oakes, the CBC's David Gray, Calgary Underground Film Festival founder Brenda Lieberman, Calgary International Film Festival executive director Steve Schroeder, and Big Rock Brewmaster Paul Gautreau.
A film about a tattooed puppet named Xane took home 3rd place and $2,500. "Modern Love" by Winnipeg's Matthew Dyck and Tedi Gilmartin, began as a student project at Red River College.
"We wanted it to be funny… we had no budget… just an idea of traditional beer for untraditional people," explains Dyck.
Their untraditional love story was shot and edited on an estimated $60.00 budget (hand puppet included).
Partnering with both CUFF and CIFF, Big Rock Brewery received over 50 entries from across Canada. This was the first year for the revised format of shorts, as the previous 21 years had been a beer advertising competition.
To view The 2015 Eddies Shorts click here….
About Big Rock Brewery Inc.
Big Rock Brewery Inc. - headquartered in Calgary, Alberta - produces premium, all-natural craft beers. As Canada's leading craft brewer, Big Rock boasts a family of exceptional ales and lagers, Rock Creek Cider®, an ongoing selection of seasonal beers released through the Brewmaster's Edition and cutting-edge, limited-run brews released through the Alchemist Edition. Big Rock products are sold in nine provinces and two territories in Canada, and are also available in Korea.
For more information on the winning short films or Big Rock Brewery visit bigrockbeer.com,
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SOURCE Big Rock Brewery Inc.
Video with caption: "Video: "An Alberta Farm", Brendan O'Brien, Producer". Video available at: https://youtu.be/4Xuid6JMFzE?list=PLRDaHhJKcd4sDAQ3dQCGCDfdxmoj1kY3d
Image with caption: "Big Rock Brewery Inc. (CNW Group/Big Rock Brewery Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150609_C6367_PHOTO_EN_17756.jpg
Susanne Fox, Communications/Media Relations Specialist, Phone: 403.203.3745, Email: sfox@bigrockbeer.comCopyright CNW Group 2015