An inside look at some modern adventures, from crossing the Empty Quarter by camel, to rafting the Blue Nile Gorge, to motoring across Mongolia on a WWII-era motorcycle.
Every now and then I send out a newsletter - an informal update, with news of recent articles, photos, expeditions, and other going-ons.
Drop me your email and I'll add you to the mailing list. I promise to only send infrequent notes. And most importantly, no email addresses will be harmed!
After years of semi-covert existence - word-of-mouth gatherings that took place in basements around Kimberly - the Kootenay Dirtbag Film and Photo Fest broke into the mainstream in 2007. Joining forces with local filmmaker Kevin Shepit's annual film night - the two-day etxravaganza of pics and movies raises funds for Wildsight, and threatens to become a tradition.
SLIDESHOWS BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS FROM HOME AND FAR AWAYFILMS BY PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR
FILMMAKERS FROM HOME AND FAR AWAYPERFORMANCESTHAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND TOP PRIZE $1,500.00 GUEST DJs SPINNING EPIC SOUNDS LICENSED FACILITIES SELLS OUT FAST GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY OCTOBER 12-16, 2010 FINAL DATES, SCHEDULE,
LOCATIONS AND LINEUPS TBD
We are feeling sluggish; and have taken a year off. Keep shooting. Keep editing. Stay stoked on our great town and the outdoor adventures in our backyard. Dirtbag will be back. 2010. Hold on to your socks.
There is Just One Rule!
There is only one rule for our annual gatherings: The first time you
enter the Dirtbag Fest, you can show anything in your portfolio. In
subsequent years, you can only show new work; images you've taken in
the last twelve months.
The rationale is simple: it is
extrodinarlily inspiring to see the volume of spectacular work produced
locally, each and every season.
NOW IN
2008 Festival Dates Announced!
The 2nd Annual
Kootenay Dirtbag Film and Photo Fest
Thanksgiving Weekend 2008
Fri Oct 10th (Photos) / Sat Oct 11th (Films)
McKim Theatre, Kimberley
Doors Open at 6.00 pm; Show Starts 7.00 pm
Tickets
$13/night ($15 at the Door)
or $25 Weekend Pass
Available at Black Bear Books & Video (Kimberley)
FunHogz and Gerricks (Cranbrook)
And hey… did you know that Keri Medig (one of last year’s featured photographers) went on to win the super prestigious Whistler-Pro-Photo-Shoot-Out with his Dirtbag Show?
Yeah! Kootenay Pride.
All Proceeds to
2008 Call for Entries
Currently seeking submissions for the 2008 Dirtbag Festival in the following categories:
• Featured Photographic Artist – 10 minute Photo Montage
• Best Local Pic – Send us your best image of the year
• Open Films – Anything and Everything
** Special Note ** Kimberley / Cranbrook Residents…
WE WANT TO SEE YOUR BEST SHOTS!
There is a new category this year – best local photograph – and it is meant to be fun. The best 50 images submitted will be shown in a special show on the festival screen. It is a chance to see yours (and your neighbor’s) pics in the limelight. So don’t be shy. Send your favorite image of the year to
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and then come on out to the show!
DETAILS
1) Featured Photographic Artist – Montage Category
• Our Premiere Category – 5 artists will be selected to present their work
• Accepted formats include DVD and Powerpoint. Email to inquire about other options.
• Contact
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for FTP details
2) Best Local Photograph
• 3 images max / photographer
• Either the photographer must be from Kootenays, or the shot must be taken in the Kootenays
• The best images will be shown to the audience in a random showing.
• Email submissions (.jpg format, include photographer’s name in filename) to
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3) Open Films
• Send anything ya got, shorter films given preference
• DVD Format
• Mail to Kevin Shepit (250 Marsden St., Kimberley, B.C. V1A 1H1)
• Inquires to
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Entry Deadline (100% Totally Firm): September 10th, 2008
Oh yah… there are Prizes this year!
Grand Prize – Best Featured Artist Show
Kimberley Weekend Getaway
(including accommodation, dinner and lift tickets)
Sponsored by Kimberley Condos
Best Individual Artist
Kick Ass Gift Certificate – Sponsored by Cranbrook Photo
Best Film in Show
A massage from Kev and Michelle, using Chainsaw oil.
History
I moved to Kimberley 3 years ago, and it didn’t take long to realize
there were a lot of incredibly talented photographers living around
town. Days after I moved in, the phone rang, and it was Patrice Halley (a regular contributor to Canadian Geographic, Explore) asking me over to dinner. Later that week, I met Pat Bates while mountain biking in the Nature Park. And of course, it was my long time roll model and mentor Pat Morrow who first mentioned Kimberley (his hometown) to me.
Soon a group was meeting twice a year to show their latest images from adventures near and far. Friends told friends. The circle expanded. The potlucks got busier. Soon it was too darn big for an old mine home. And the Dirtbag Festival was born. Organically. Out of a bunch of friends stoked to share their passion for photography and the outdoors.
At the same time, local filmaker Kevin Shepit was organizing annual fim nights to showcase his latest efforts.
Kinda like the Brady Bunch, somehow we had a hunch these two great things should somehow form a family. And the Dirtbag was born. A chace to showcase the great talent of photographers and filmakers in the Kootenays (and further abroad). A tip of the hat to anyone placing more value on adventure and fun than chasing cash. A chance to refire the furnace and get stoked for another great year ahead - outdoors.
Archives: Year 1
Local Filmmaker Kevin Shepit organized the entire event; booked the auditorium, harangued us into submitting shows, and even made a short video to introduce each photographer.
Friday, September 14th: Film Fest Night
Featuring films by
Shep made a
short intro film for each of the featured photographers in the
Festival. He showed up at my house this May, and we banged this off in
a fun-filled half hour.
Kirkby Slideshow
This was my contribution to the Festival this year. Excuse the resolution, but it is a massive file!
The Future
There will be another show next year. If you want to attend, we'de love to have you attend... but you'll have to come to Kimberely! Keep your eyes here for updates. Also, if you want to submit a film or slide show, we'de be thrilled to hear from you. Drop Shep a line at
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Oh Yah... What is a Dirtbag?
Well, dirt-baggin' is a way of life. The term is a self-endearing one, applied to the tribe of men and women that travel the earth in search of great powder runs, and new kayaking rivers, and quite campsights. Dirtbags have been know to sleep in their car at ski-hill parking lots, frequent all-you-can-eat buffets, own just one pair of jeans while having three tents, 6 pairs of skis, and two kayaks. At the core, Dirtbags value their time and experiences far more than any monetary returns. If you want to learn more, watch Shep's preview for the photo-fest!
