Vancouver: New Western Canadian filmmakers are getting a helping hand from Telefilm Canada’s Western office and some mentors.

The winners of the 1997 Kick Start program for short films include: Calgary’s David Christensen (with the guidance of Gary Burns), who directs Fit, a story of a father and son transporting a coffin; Vancouver’s Luke Caroll, who directs (with mentor Jonathon Tammuz) Drop, about a man who disappears into a puddle; Vancouver’s Julia Kwan, who directs (with Tracy Traeger) 10,000 Delusions, about a couple who hold a Zen retreat at home; Vancouver’s Nathaniel Geary, who directs (with Velcrow Ripper) Keys to the Kingdom, about an alcoholic who escapes the senseless violence around him; and Vancouver’s Brendan Ferguson, who directs (with George Horie) Letting Go, about a man who learns to channel his anger in an unexpected way.

Winners are graduates of a film school or have equivalent industry experience. Projects must be completed within one year with a budget of up to $25,000.

‘The short film is the best way for a new director to get a start,’ says Crawford Hawkins, chair of the b.c. council of the Directors Guild of Canada. ‘With a qualified mentor on the project, we increase the likelihood of success and contribute to the development of our next generation of storytellers.