Salem Video and Film Festival a Big Hit

Event is one of three festivals set for Salem this year

Jesse Whiteman took honors in two categories Photo Courtesy: Don Sturgeon

(Salem) - Organizers of The Mid-Valley Video and Film Festival say the event was a huge success, with excitement, exhilaration, and lots and lots of great local talent presented on the big screen at the Northern Lights Theatre on Commercial in South Salem.

Larry Milletta attended the festival with his son Brandon to watch his son`s entry and to take in many others, `It is really great that we can do this together. Video opens up all kinds of doors for young people and I am very supportive of it."

Organizer Kirk Kindle says the event exists to broaden the horizons of all who venture to dream, `Technology today combined with the amazing talent we see, it is just a wonderful thing. What people can do today is just so far above what used to be possible." Kindle says this year`s entries were an excellent array of local entertainment.

Here are the winners of the Golden Pioneer Awards from the 3rd Annual Mid-Valley Video Fest.

Music Video - "Bugs and Beer" Directed by Mark Vetanen Beaverton, OR

Animation - "$10,000 for El Bronco" Directed by Peter Brandt Dallas, OR

Short Documentary - "Flight of the Dunni" Directed by John Waller Portland, OR

Long Documentary - "Clear Cut" Directed by Peter Richardson Philomath, OR

Short Feature - "Customer Service" Directed by Scott Hartman Salem, OR

Long Feature and People's Choice - "Suzanne" Directed by The Whiteman Brothers Monmouth, OR

Don Sturgeon, who helped out with the event`s marketing efforts, says things went off without a hitch, `The festival was an overwhelming success. We are very proud of all of the filmmakers and appreciate their participation. Without their involvement, there would be no festival."

The Mid-Valley Video and Film Festival has previously been held at the historic Elsinore Theatre in downtown Salem. Now that the Mid-Valley fest has moved to the Northern Lights Theatre, new opportunities have opened up and two more video/film festivals are still ahead, one planned for March and one in April that will be held at the Elsinore.

Salem is opening up to the notion of video and film production and now one fourth of each year will be more or less dedicated, to local celebration and promotion of the motion picture arts. Look for special promotional events and days in the coming months that bring the talents of Salem producers and directors further into the big spotlight of attention.