CELLULOID SOCIAL CLUB – OVERVIEW

Riding the mid 1990s indie film wave, The Celluloid Social Club was founded on November 13, 1997 by Paul Armstrong, Jeanne Harco and the late Cathi Black for the purpose of showcasing independent dramatic short films in combination with filmmaker Q&As and networking. In addition to showcasing the best in compelling film, the Club serves to inspire others to make their own projects, which the Club formalized by co-creating the Hot Shot Shorts Contest which helped to fund 7 short films over 7 years. At the same time the Club operated the 24 Hour Vancouver Film Race and the 48 Hour Bloodshots Horror Contest, both of which made hundreds of films.

The films screened today are primarily independent, professional and student narrative short films, but also screening are short documentaries, art house/experimental and the occasional feature film. We have also presented book readings on film-related themes. Attendees are comprised mainly of independent and professional filmmakers, current and prospective film students, and general audience. In all its programming and endeavours, the Club has a keen eye on racial and gender diversity.

Over the decades, the who’s who of the Vancouver film scene, and many from elsewhere, have graced its audience, screen and stage. Many notable people in person have passed through its doors, from actor/comedian Robin Williams, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to Andrew Loog Oldham, who discovered The Rolling Stones and was their first manager and producer, Moses Znaimer of Citytv & MuchMusic, actor Rae Dawn Chong (QUEST FOR FIRE), actor Gary Lockwood (2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY), and legendary Canadian directors from Bruce MacDonald, Anne Wheeler, Sandy Wilson, Mina Shum, Lynn Stopkewich, Bruce Sweeney…