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(Supplied: Sharkasaurus, Facebook)
By Abby Zieverink
The Ballad of Sharkasaurus

Grande Prairie filmmaker recognized at AMPIA Rosie Awards

Sep 28, 2021 | 10:55 AM

A Grande Prairie man, alongside his business partner, took home a couple of awards for the second year in a row at the Alberta Media Production Industry Association (AMPIA) Rosie Awards over the weekend.

This was the 47th annual Rosie Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement and excellence in the province’s film industry.

Local filmmaker Keith Lawrence alongside his business partner from Calgary, Spencer Estabrooks, received Best Screenwriter, scripted under 30 minutes, and Best Scripted Production under 30 minutes for their film The Ballad of Sharkasaurus.

“It’s about an ancient hybrid shark/dinosaur that carries a small west town, mining community,” explains Lawrence who co-wrote the film, alongside co-producer Estabrooks.

Lawrence says the nomination was a feel-good moment for both himself and Estabrooks, while the moment they found out they won not one, but two Rosie Awards was an even more surreal moment.

“Mine (reaction) was shocked,. I was just happy to be nominated. I thought we have good competition with the nominees there, but I know Spencer was kind of in disbelief there for a little while there.”

This is not the first time the two have been recognized for their outstanding achievement with the films they’ve produced. Lawrence says last year at the Rosie Awards, the two also took home awards for their film Zombies and Indians.

“It was great, because he produced Zombies and Indians and then we won this year for (The Ballad of Sharkasaurus) so, it was pretty exciting when we found out,” said Lawrence.

“(Zombies and Indians) is about two Indigenous men during a zombie apocalypse guarding their reserve, and fighting zombies at the gates, protecting their reserve.”

Lawrence suggests he is proud to represent the Grande Prairie film community as he mentions that he is happy to see the increase of resources for other filmmakers to follow their dreams in the community.

“I’m really proud of where Grande Prairie has come throughout the years, throughout my filmmaking career up to now,” he said. “I’ve seen it grow with the (Reel Shorts) Film Festival and we have PRIMMA (Peace Region Independent Media Arts Association) now is up and running there, which I thought was pretty good.”

Lawrence says he hopes their recognition inspires other filmmakers and artists to keep pursuing their passions.

by Abby Zieverink