Winner: HELLO WORLD (Dir. Olaf Blomerus) 

Alberta short film shines with sophisticated choices, solid stories and remarkable technique. Celebrating a quickly rising tide of talent, the highly competitive 2015 Alberta Spirit selection encompasses the best of breed. Solid documentary filmmaking, seamless science fiction (HELLO WORLD), a period thriller (THE HITCH-HIKER), and animation (HAIKU 4: STILL) buoy this year’s seminal package. Chronicling truly Albertan artists and slices of life, join us in celebrating our homegrown talent with this selection of wildly unique films tethered by the place we call home.

Following the screening, a live jury will convene to present one innovative short with the Enbridge Alberta Spirit Award ($2,500 cash prize) recognizing the best in Alberta short filmmaking. There will be a 15 minute intermission midway (following FLANAGAN).

The shorts included in this year's Alberta Spirit Gala are: 

TIM PETROS IN PASSION
Dir.  Jaimie Stewart - 11 min
Tim Petros makes a fine pizza. The gentle philosophy and wisdom of this Calgary icon shine through in his lovingly handled dough in this short documentary film.

CROWD PLEASER 
Dir. Michal Lavi – 7 min 
A spaceship’s captain calls for a handyman to assist her. Their decaying bodies engage in a lustful encounter.

MARKOWSKY DRAWS IN A FIGHTER PLANE
Dir. Michael Peterson - 30 min
Artist Michael Markowsky spent five years convincing the Canadian military to let him sketch while flying in an F-18 fighter jet.

HAIKU 4: STILL
Dir. Lyle Pisio - 6 min
Haunted by nightmares, Teagran tries everything he can to ritually resurrect his dead father in this superbly animated stop-motion short film.

FLANAGAN
Dir. Olivier Ballou - 14 min
Tom Flanagan was an influential academic who helped orchestrate the Conservative Party’s rise to power until a controversial response about child pornography saw even his closest allies turn against him.

HELLO WORLD
Dir. Olaf Blomerus - 10 min
A social services android observes the relationship of a father and son after their loving wife and devoted mother passes away, soon realizing the complexity human emotion and circumstance can bring to a situation.

THE HITCH-HIKER 
Dir. JP Marchant - 29 min
Stranded after his car breaks down, young mechanic Pete hitches a ride from Frank. As they drive, it becomes apparent that Frank's dark and dangerous past will shatter both of their lives.

THE MONEY TREE
Dir. Aaron Bernakevitch – 10 min
Beneath a magical tree lives a boy with his friend the owl. A whimsical cautionary tale about innocence and greed, based on a yet to be published children’s book.

STOCK
Dir.  Gabriel Yee - 5 min
Calgary painter and graffiti artist David Brunning aka TheKidBelo recounts his rise as an artist, sharing insight into his studio practice through aptly placed brushstrokes.

DO YOU SEE ME?
Dir. Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi - 16 min
Giving a face to those who are invisible, DO YOU SEE ME shares stories describing the human side of homelessness, highlighting the societal persecution of those who try to survive on Calgary's streets.

After Party: Workshop Kitchen + Culture (at the GRAND)