Telefilm Canada’s western office and the B.C. Council of the Directors Guild of Canada have five new winners of the annual Kick Start program. Winning filmmakers from the four western provinces and three northern territories get $10,000 each to put toward the budget of a short film. They also get a mentor to assist in the production.

Vancouver’s Ross Ferguson will direct Adrian’s Hole, a story of a man who finds a large hole in his apartment floor. Scott Smith is the mentor.

Vancouver’s Bridget Hill will direct Instant Soup, a story about a woman who sets up a date with her unsuspecting friend. Andrew Currie is the mentor.

Winnipeg’s Kathryn Martin will direct The Missing Shoe, about a red shoe that unites a mother and daughter under a bizarre set of circumstances. Norma Bailey is the mentor.

Vancouver’s Ori Kowarsky will direct Riding the Bus, a story about a screwball romance between a bus driver and a car driver. Kirsten Clarkson is the mentor.

Vancouver’s Cameron Labine will direct Room, a story about four friends in four rooms and an elaborate plot. Bruce Sweeney is the mentor.