Aeternitas pulls in two Rosie Awards ahead of Canadian debut

“It’s a testament to the amount of work that the entire team, the cast and the crew put in,” said Haakstad. “The director is kind of the one guiding the ship, but there is a whole lot of people involved in it. So, it’s an honour, but it’s also a testament to all of the work that went into it.”

Haakstad accepting the Rosie Award for Best Director (Drama Under 30 Minutes) Photo: Laura Beauchamp

That sentiment was further echoed by Beauchamp, who co-owns The Distillery Film Co. with Haakstad here in the Swan City, which produced the 16-minute short film.

“I feel honoured and humbled by this award. I think it represents an incredible amount of hard work and hours put in by our crew and interns, who all worked together to make the lighting and camera work possible. Grande Prairie has a strong and vibrant film community and it’s fantastic to be a part of it.”

Much of the cast and crew were from the Peace Region. That included 12 interns. Over 80 people played a role in the making of the film.

It was the 45^th year of the awards, which are presented by the Alberta Media Production Industries Association. The film was also nominated in four other categories, which included:

Best Production Designer/Art Director – Laura Dawn Beauchamp
Best Overall Sound (Drama Under 30 Minutes) – Iain Pattison and Cody Flynn
Best Screenwriter (Drama Under 30 Minutes) – Gordie Haakstad
Best Dramatic Short

Of the two winners, it was Beauchamp’s name who was called first at the Edmonton Convention Centre on Saturday. That capped off a whirlwind week for the filmmaker and his wife, Laura, who had become parents just five days prior to his award victory.

“He was changing diapers right before his name was called, and when he got up on stage he said a very endearing comment,” said Haakstad “Which was, the award was the second best thing that happened to him that week, because his new son, James, was obviously the first.”

Beauchamp accepting the Rosie Award for Best Cinematographer (Drama Under 30 Minutes) Photo: Laura Beauchamp

Those who are looking forward to finally getting to see the film won’t have to wait much longer, as it is set to make its Canadian debut at the Reel Shorts Film Festival in Grande Prairie next week. The film will make its debut on May 7, with an encore screening being shown on May 11.

Haakstad explains that they are excited for locals to finally get a chance to see it, as it was a total community effort to make this film. Haakstad explains the owner of the warehouse (the old Emco building) they shot in let them use it rent free, while D&E Recyclers offered up scrap metal to make sets and props at no charge, among the many others who offered goods and services.

“To be able to show this film to the community that really rallied behind it and made it possible, I am really excited for that, so that we can show what all of this hard work was for.”

The film made its debut at the Fargo Film Festival back in March, and Haakstad and a few cast members were able to travel down and be there for the screening. Haakstad said the festival staff treated them second-to-none, and that they received very positive feedback about the film from the audience.

“Our film played in a package of short films and one feature, and some of the short films were Oscar nominations,” said Haakstad. “So, to be presented in a similar package was really great, to see our film to stand alongside those others.”

The Reel Shorts Film Festival runs May 6-13, with 33 short films on schedule over that span. A full schedule, list of venues and ticket information can be found on the Festival’s website.

“It really is a gem of Grande Prairie,” said Haakstad. “Having been to other festivals, Reel Shorts stands amongst the better ones.”

by Shaun Penner

Aeternitas pulls in two Rosie Awards ahead of Canadian debut

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