THANK YOU to everyone that attended the Crazy8s 2023 Gala, all 1,720 of you!
After a pre-reception for Crazy8s 2023 sponsors and special guests catered by Emelles with specialty drinks from Lavish Liquid, doors opened at 6:00PM at The Centre.
People caught up and networked in the lobbies and auditorium, where they could view the logos, ads, and videos of our almost 100 generous sponsors and supporters that help make Crazy8s possible.
The show started at 7:00PM when our Gala host, Marci T. House (Monster High: The Movie, Fire Country, Devil In Ohio) and producer and actor of stage, voice, film, and TV, took to the stage and kicked off our evening with energy, humour, and grace.
Next up she invited up to the stage our esteemed guest speakers which included Bob D’Eith, British Columbia Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film; Mike Klassen, City of Vancouver Councillor; Allan Harmon, Chair, Directors Guild of Canada, BC District Council; Barbara Chirinos, Telefilm Canada Regional Lead, National Promotion and Communications, Pacific, Prairies, NWT, Nunavut and the Yukon; and Mathew Parry, Creative BC Manager, Creative Industry Programs.
The current Crazy8s Executive Director, Grace Chin, then said a few words of welcome, and brought up to the stage the former Co-Executive Directors Paul Armstrong and Erin Mussolum to acknowledge their contribution to the leadership transition and to the independent filmmaking community in Vancouver.
And then, the moment all were waiting for: It was time for the Crazy8s 2023 Top 6 films to screen, preceded by an exciting Crazy8s Behind the Scenes video directed by Brian Cheung featuring behind the scenes footage and interviews with the 6 directors.
Opening the evening’s program was I Can’t Go On by Brenna Goodwin McCabe, followed by Passiflora by Gabriel Souza Nounes and ZIP from Ava Maria Safai, which received what is possibly the only standing ovation in the history of Crazy8s screenings since they began in 1999.
After a brief 10-minute intermission, featuring concession drinks and snacks from Lavish Liquid and an on-screen slideshow in the auditorium of more behind-the-scenes images from production, the program resumed with Hellmark by Jessica Lauren Doucet, High End Dying by Helen Liu, and finally Meditation 4 Black Women from Rukiya Bernard.
The directors, writers, producers and lead actors of Crazy8s 2023 then took the stage to be feted and photographed and acknowledged with claps and cheers by the audience! Special thanks to Gala Screening photographer Corey Malone.
With the show ending at 9:30PM at The Centre, over 1,400 people made their way to the Afterparty at Science World, many via the On Set Headsets Party Bus.
Upon entering the “Through The Looking Glass”-themed event, guests were ushered along a hallway through a giant floor chess board to the main mult-level party area, featuring two green screen photo booths from 5 Star Photo Booth where guests could pose against a backdrop of the event theme and posters of the Top 6 films; be dazzled by the roving magician extraordinaire, Dinero; and dance to the infectious beats from the incredible DJ What’s Up Tiger and DJ Betty.
The Red Carpet was also hopping all night long, with photos by Alisha Weng of ChiehxChieh and afterparty event photo support from Corey Malone and Brandon Klemets.
Guests sipped on a selection of specialty beverages and classic drinks from Lavish Liquid, nibbled on an enticing cupcake selection from Club Versante, and gourmet snacks from Made Good.
White Spot Triple O’s on location stayed open until 1:00AM for the noshing pleasure of hungry guests.
Wrapping up at 1:30AM, it was a fun and festive Gala evening to remember!
THANK YOU to our Crazys 2023 Gala Volunteers, Film and Gala Production and Operations Teams, and Board; and to the staff and A/V team Xcite Plus at The Centre, and the staff at Science World!
CRAZY8S 2023 GALA EVENT PHOTOS are in our Crazy8s Facebook Page Albums, tag yourself and your friends!
CRAZY8S 2023 GALA PROGRAM GUIDE is also online
- HELLMARK – Directed by Jessica Lauren Doucet
- HIGH END DYING – Directed by Helen Liu
- I CAN’T GO ON – Directed by Brenna Goodwin-McCabe
- MEDITATION 4 BLACK WOMEN – Directed by Rukiya Bernard
- PASSIFLORA – Directed by Gabriel Souza Nunes
- ZIP – Directed by Ava Maria Safai