PuSh Festival Receives TELUS Optik Local Community Programming Grant

January 09, 2014

The Push International Performing Arts Festival is the proud recipient of an Optik Local programming grant from TELUS. The funds will support the production of a documentary film commemorating PuSh’s 10^th Anniversary and the occasion of the Festival’s Gala Performance, which will be available for viewing on Optik TV On Demand.

The Gala Performance—Super Night Shot by Gob Squad Arts Collective (Germany/UK)—takes place on the 2014 Festival’s opening night at the Vancouver Playhouse. Super Night Shot is a magical journey through the nighttime streets of a not too distant city. In this case, it’s Vancouver that becomes the film set of this impromptu movie full of surprises, with the unsuspecting public as co-stars. Comical, moving and utterly unpredictable, Super Night Shot elevates the minutiae of everyday life into the glitz and glamour of a big-screen blockbuster. Super Night Shot is a celebration of serendipitous meetings with strangers and delights in the randomness of urban existence.

With the support of TELUS, through their Optik Local Community Access Program, the PuSh Festival will capture the magic of this once-in-a-lifetime event. The commemorative film will incorporate behind-the-scenes footage of the making-of Super Night Shot and interviews with various artists, producers and festival-makers. It will also capture the 10^th Anniversary Gala at the theatre where audiences, artists, PuSh staff and board, along with invited dignitaries, will gather to celebrate. Beyond capturing this one-night-only performance and party, the film is a reflection on the Festival’s genesis, history and its impact on Vancouver’s cultural landscape.

Of receiving this support from TELUS Optik Local, PuSh Festival’s Artistic and Executive Director Norman Armour says, “TELUS continues to show great leadership by investing significant monies into this region’s artistic communities, rewarding innovation and artistry through a variety of programs and initiatives. PuSh is both honoured and excited to receive this support. To not only turn 10 years old with verve and panache, but to also capture the impending sense of celebration on film—now that’s something worthy of a very, very special event—as unique as the Festival itself.”

“TELUS is pleased to be a part of such an innovative and exciting event.” says Blair Miller, vice-president, TELUS Content Solutions. “We congratulate the PuSh Festival on their 10-year milestone and are proud to continue our support of local community artists and artistic events.

Local filmmaker Ian Barbour will direct the film, which is scheduled for completion in April 2014.