Emerging Director Maja Aro Stands Out in Tight Competition for the 2015 MPPIA Short Film Award

The Motion Picture Production Industry Association of British Columbia (MPPIA), Creative BC and the Whistler Film Festival are pleased to congratulate Maja Aro on her winning pitch for short film project Hoods.

Roundhouse Radio’s Tracey Friesen moderated a jury of filmmaking professionals, Director Jeffery Lando (Suspension), Producer Liz Levine (Random Bench Productions) and Industry Executive John Dippong (Telefilm). The jury heard and provided feedback on project pitches from five emerging directors:

Maja Aro, Hoods

Jane Hancock,Divide and Concur

Shannon Kohli, A Spy’s Last Night

Reem Morsi, Show and Tell

Karen Neilsen, Old Biddies

ai???All five candidates for this year’s MPPIA Short FilmAward delivered strong pitches for worthy projects,ai??? said Jury Chair Jeffery Lando. ai???Maja Aro’s project stood out for itsoriginal and creative potential to maximize this valuablefilmmaking opportunity. Maja Aro is one of BC’s emerging directors to watch ‘ we look forward to seeing her work on Hoods when it premieres at next year’s Festival,ai??? Lando added.

Now in its ninth cycle, the MPPIA Short Film Award has become a highlight on the annual Whistler Film Festival calendar, as some of BC’s brightest emerging directors vie on stage before a jury of industry professionals for the sought after filmmaking prize.

The MPPIA Short Film Award winner receives a $15,000 cash award plus in-kind production support resources worth up to $100,000 for her/his short film project to be completed within one year of receiving the Award. The completed project will premiere at the 2016 Whistler Film Festival, taking place Nov. 30 ‘ Dec 4, 2016.