Giving Back
Dear Editor: At the White Elephant Shop annual meeting/volunteer appreciation luncheon last month, the volunteers approved the budget giving $78,140 to non-profits and $5,000 for individual assistance.
This is the 22nd year of giving back to the community, and to date that makes it $1,200,926. Thank you, Sitkans, for your quality donations, the 40 volunteers who work at the White E and, of course, our customers. It could not be done without everyone working towards the same goal.
Jan Nelson,
White E volunteer
Homegrown Films
Dear Editor: The fifth annual 48-Hour Film Festival last week was a smashing success, with our highest turnout of filmmakers and biggest audience.
In one evening, we watched the perils of an addiction to Redbull, the existential challenges of a daily job, the antics of a misbehaving dachshund, a mock sitcom and game show, reflections (under the influence) on the meaning of “Catcher in the Rye,” an audition tape for a tourism video about Sitka, an exploration into the origins of a mythical Sitka animal, a desperate search for a bear skull, a day in the life over a beautiful Sitka weekend, the strange finances and operations of a hospital, and a wild pizza party. (“Floor pizza, anyone?”)
Thanks so much to the filmmakers who participated: Andy Karmun II, Jack Petersen, Rebecca Poulson, Jim Jurczak, Amy Kane, Aday and crew, Daniel Olbrych, Francis Wegman-Lawless, Kitty Sopow, Mitch Rusk and Dangersquad.
And a giant thanks to the Coliseum Theater, including Scott Bowen and his staff, for their work in making the films look their best on the big screen.
We love that so many people came out to support the filmmakers, and filmmaking efforts in Sitka. Keep an eye on our website (sitka48hourfilmfest.com) for the films to be posted, and the upcoming Halloween fright fest in October!
48-Hour Film Festival
Sitka Film Society
