PROJECT ELEMENT is multimedia short film project is loosely based on a mash up of two folktales East of the Sun, West of the Moon and The Frog Prince, with a focus on the four elements. The film featured a group of elementary and secondary students as well as residents of the Seniors Assisted Living facilities, The Meadows, all from Smithers, BC. Working under the mentorship of a variety of professional and emerging artists, the students created their original piece based on the plot points of the story in whatever way they feel inclined and inspired. The entire project, from concept to devising to realization, took place from August 2021 – May 2021.

CREDITS
Directed by: Susan Bertoia
Written by: Susan Bertoia with students of Muheim Elementary, Smithers Secondary, Heather Lee and Liliana Pesce
Cast: students from Muheim Elementary & Smithers Secondary, residents of The Meadows

Project Manager: Brittany Cope
Director of Photography: Shiun Okada
Editor & VFX: Candelario Andrade
Assistant Directors: Heather Lee, Liliana Pesce
Camera Assistant: Sam Lin
Scenic Design/Illustration: Marcus Vaillant
Music/Composer/Sound Design: Rupinder Sidhu
Additional Sound/Music: Brennan McKinnon, Simbiyez Wilson
Dramaturg: James Fagan Tait
Marketing Manager: Karthik Kadam
Crew: Smithers Secondary Students

This project was commissioned by the Vancouver International Children's Festival and funded by Heritage BC.