“I’m sorry but we don’t have your film festival booked for Nov.9th…” that’s what the manager of the Carlton Cinema told me over the phone.

The 2nd year of The Great Canadian Sketch Comedy Film Festival was in 5 weeks. I had doubled the prize money from $250 to $500. I received 83 films from talented filmmakers from all over the world. The event planner had spent all of her budget for the VIP party including an 8x8 backdrop. The film editor has assembled all the films for screening. My parents had booked flights to Toronto so they could volunteer.

I had let them all down.

The 1st year seemed so simple compared to this year. There were mistakes for sure. The VIP party didn’t have a coat check so filmmakers had to sit with their expensive coats on their laps. We had such a small backdrop for our red carpet that people had to crouch down for pictures. It was like the opening of Disneyland. You didn’t care that some things didn’t work. The success was it happened. I walked away with a smile and a list of things to improve for the 2nd year. 

“Are you sure? I had made the booking in March” I replied. I hoped there was some sort of mistake. “Nope, I don’t have any emails from you” She said confidently.

There’s something very humbling about making sketch comedy films. My sketch troupe started as a theatre group but shifted to online content quickly. It’s funny how much effort you put into a comedic film when you’ll never get the pay off of a laugh unless you see the film in person. It’s also humbling how comedic films are treated. There are only 7 “comedic” films that have won a best picture Oscar. However most of these are debatably dramatic films that happen to have funny scenes in them like “The Artist” (2011) and “The Sting” (1973). It seems like comedy just can’t get a break like the unlucky tramp that it is. So, if your online comedy film isn’t validated by people’s laughter and it isn’t validated as art then what do you do? How can you be encouraged to continue? How do you develop your craft?  These are the reasons I started The Great Canadian Sketch Comedy Film Festival. I wanted to give the comedy creators a sense of pride and fill a theatre full of people ready to enjoy their work. They get the laughter; they get the artistic validation and if they bring enough friends to vote for their film, they get $500!!

“I have a contract that says I have booked the festival for Nov.9th”. “…Oh... Let me check if it is available then.” She replied. 

I love working with TIFF. The people there are so kind. Whenever I go see a movie there, I end up shaking hands with old friends. I don’t even mind being late for a movie to get a chance to talk to someone I’ve worked with during the international film festival. I worked my way up from a volunteer to being a full-time team member. It was great seeing the ins and outs of a film festival and there is no better place to learn how to produce a film festival then TIFF. I learned how important it is to have a great VIP party, even better volunteers and the best cinema you can find. The Carlton Cinema on College has it all. They have a special space for the VIP red carpet party, enough seats to give away a free ticket to each of the filmmakers and a great theatre with very comfortable seats. Of course my father flew in from Winnipeg to handle the box office and we had 8 brave volunteers that performed their duties with ease.

“Well it is available would you like to book it?” The silence returned, “Yes please”. “Alright then you’re all good to go!” she hung up and I let my shoulders drop in relief.

It’s all ready now. This Saturday will be the big night. I look forward to all the filmmakers walking the red carpet. Their nervous faces thinking about how a live audience will react to their films. Their friends and family and people that helped make the films a reality getting the pay off. I’ll be welcoming and shaking hands. My father will be handling the games (with prizes) while my mom works the box office. Please come and share in the experience. It’s going to be great!!

The festival is November 9th at the Carlton Cinema on College Street at 8:30 PM. There are tickets to the VIP party and general admission available. Buy your tickets online and save $5.

You can get tickets the to Great Canadian Sketch Comedy Film Festival HERE and more info HERE

Tyler Morgan - The Great Canadian Sketch Comedy Film Festival