THE LITTLE SCHOOL THAT COULD

A Brief History of The Gulf Islands Film and Television School (GIFTS)

In the spring of '95 GIFTS was little more than a dream taking root in the remains of a once active logging camp. Today it's the creative epicentre of BC's emerging media makers!

The brainchild of maverick entrepreneur George Harris, GIFTS is the only rural summer camp in Canada dedicated to training youth in film and video production. Since its inception, over 1200 teenagers and adults have experienced GIFTS' innovative 6-day media production intensives. Together they have created a total of over 700 videos--including dramas, documentaries and classical and computer animations--from the initial script right through to the final screening!

Not your average school, GIFTS practices learning by doing and boasts a faculty not of teachers but of award-winning media professionals: Nettie Wild, Aerlyn Weissman, Heather Frise, Velcrow Ripper, Gail Noonan, Richard Reeves, Marcus Youssef, among others.

GIFTS' meteor-like ascendancy is partially due to its unique blend of rustic and high tech: students get access to state of the art media production technology while enjoying the peace, quiet and beauty of a lush island locale.

The work produced in this ideal environment has captured the attention and support of the likes of The BC Ministry of Education, ICBC, The National Film Board, IBM, The Directors Guild of Canada, BC Film and the Union of BC Performers. TV Networks are also keeping an eye on what's gong on at GIFTS and are regularly airing student productions. The calibre of the videos is also reflected in the over 100 awards that GIFTS productions have landed at national and international Film and Video Festivals in the last four years.

The doors of opportunity that GIFTS is opening for youth don't stop here. On the strength of the work produced at GIFTS, numerous grads have gotten into film programs at universities across the country, landed jobs at the BBC, CBC and WTN. Students are now also selling their student productions to webcasters.

This year GIFTS will be extending this wonderful learning opportunity to over 400 students internationally.