Oscar nominated film wins Best of Fest at YFF

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – The Yorkton Film Festival Best of Festival Award went to The Flying Sailor, a film directed by Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis.

The short animation has received several awards and nominations including Best Canadian Film at the Ottawa International Animation Festival and an Oscar nomination at the 95th Academy Awards under the category Best Animated Short Film.

“Who needs an Oscar,” quipped Tilby upon accpeting the award to the cheers of the audience.

The film was the recipient of several Golden Sheaf Awards throughout the evening, including awards for best Aninmation and Director.

“Wendy’s right,” said David Christensen, Producer of The Flying Sailor, “who does need an Oscar?” made at the next regular meeting of Council in three weeks.

“The difference being is that this award — and I mean this honestly — is that this is from the heart,” said Christensen.

Mayor Hippsley said the process at the May 15 meeting “was a real eyeopener.”

While suggesting the city needed to look at the offer to buy the building, something that fit his election campaign platform of watching city finances, “what’s best for the city community wise,” must also be considered.

In the case of the library situation, “there is no benefit to moving to the Gallagher Centre,” said Hippsley.

But, Kaal admitted Monday the impassioned presentation however, never really had a chance to change things because the deal was accepted in April. She said after accepting the offer April 24, the city “was legally obligated,” to the sale, and if Council were to try to opt out of the sale now they would likely face legal action and end up having to pay significant compensa- tion.

Kaal, who was not in Chambers May 15, said it was unfortunate the public believed they were having an impact in making their presentations, and that the sale might not go through pending a suggested decision by Council at its next regular meeting June 5. She said with the offer accepted there is no decision to be made on the fifth.

The situation is one where a lot of misinformation ended up being circulated, admitted Kaal.

Kaal cited the concerns of a 16,000 square foot library being pared down to 10,000, but she said it’s not exactly as dramatic a downsizing as it seems, with kitchen, janitorial, mechanical and washroom space already at the Gallagher Centre. She also noted there are spaces at the Gallagher Centre to accommodate groups. In the end the actual change will be about 8,400 existing square feet down to 6,000.