Vancouver web series have been feted at dedicated festivals around the world, and for the first time in our nation’s history, they’re getting that same chance right here at home. Vancouver Web Fest – which runs May 2 to 4 at The Imperial (319 Main)– is Canada’s first web series festival.
Locally shot web series account for some of the most popular and critically acclaimed content on the ‘net (i.e. the first episode of Convos with my 2-year-old has logged more than 10 million YouTube views since it premiered last year), so an international web series festival fits right into our ecology, according to festival founder Suzette Lacqua.
“There are amazing web series being created across Canada and the United States, around the world, and right here in Vancouver,” says Lacqua, a writer, casting director, editor, and producer. “We’re excited to screen as many of them as possible.”
The jam-packed schedule features dozens of web series from numerous genres and countries, as well as panels, pitch sessions, industry parties, and an awards ceremony.
Out-of-town series scheduled to screen include The Stafford Project, the brainchild of ex-soap opera vixen Michelle Stafford; But I’m Chris Jericho from the pro-wrestler turned web series star; and Australian offering Dick Dribble: Pro-Baller/ Private Eye.
Local offerings include The Actress Diaries, Fools For Hire, Hitman 101, The Last Fall of Ashes, The Runner, Under The HUD, and The True Heroines (the stars of which will perform a live cabaret show on Saturday night). Blocks of episodes – hosted by local screen personalities – will run from sun-up to sundown; early-risers can enjoy free donuts and coffee with their 9:00am screenings. VancouverWebFest.com.
