Saskatoon filmmaker feels honoured as Regina film festival wraps up

Beekeeping and filmmaking might not have a lot in common at first glance.

But the combination of these two passions inspired Saskatoon-based director and actor Simon Garez to make Gentle Hum of Spring — a short film that has been screened for the 2023 Regina International Film Festival.

Gentle Hum of Spring has been nominated for the Saskatchewan Short Film category.

“My film is based on my experiences working alongside my father as beekeepers,” Garez said.

“My father has been a beekeeper for about 40 years in Saskatchewan and ever since I was a child, I’ve worked alongside him. When I was a kid I would hop in his truck with him and we would go out to the bee yards and check up on the bees.”

The film screened Thursday to a very age-diverse audience according to Garez. He’s taking a break from working at his parents’ honey farm near Nipawin to enjoy the festival.

Garez said it feels like an honour to be able to present his film in person, especially since he wasn’t able to do with his debut film last year.

Gentle Hum of Spring was financed with support from the Fransaskois Cultural Council, SK Arts, the Saskatchewan Fim Pool, and from the Canada Council for the Arts.

“I think as a Saskatchewan-based filmmaker, this province has more to offer than we often think it does, and the common path that a lot of filmmakers and artists in general who are born and raised in this province or who live in this province — is that they often leave,” Garez said.

“I even did that myself when I was younger. I moved to Vancouver and lived in Vancouver for five years and then ultimately I came back to Saskatchewan, my home province.

“I would really encourage (artists in the province) to give Saskatchewan a shot and to take a look around and really see that we have a lot to offer in this province and we don’t necessarily need to go elsewhere,” Garez continued.

“I think right here at home, we can really create solid work that’s relevant internationally. I think we have a really rich province.”

The award ceremony will take place at the University of Regina’s Dr. William Riddell Centre on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The red carpet arrival and reception are scheduled to start at 6 p.m.