Treepot Media is committed to fostering encouragement, collaboration and learning amongst emerging filmmakers. To that end, we curated and presented short films, documentaries and music videos at ten screenings at various theatres and outdoor screenings in downtown Ottawa between 2011 and 2014. Over 150 films were shown and the response was overwhelmingly positive. We expanded the screenings to include a locally produced feature film in 2013 (Thirteen Downs), a collaborative feature film/web series (Treepot Cliffhanger) and a crowd-funded film in 2014 (A Clean Slate).
We increased exposure for locally produced films by launching and running Indie Koala, Ottawa’s premier Video On Demand website for indie films in 2013 and 2014. The enthusiastic feedback and encouragement lead to an evolution and a relaunch/rebrand in 2015:
Here are the posters of the screenings that were part of the Treepot Indie Filmmaker Showcase along with some press coverage related to the events.
Treepot presents The Reel Deal: a screening of short indie films by women by Michaella Francom, Apt613 February 7, 2014
Ottawa-based film production company Treepot Media aims to support local talent and to foster a community of filmmakers and filmgoers here in the capital. This weekend they'll be hosting Reel Deal: a program featuring six films by women, and curated by Jennifer Mulligan. Apartment613 caught up with her and got some insight into her perspective on women's film and her curatorial approach.
Read MoreGrad Starts Off on 'A Clean Slate' by Dan Taccone, Algonquin Times, February 4, 2014
An Algonquin graduate has turned to the crowdfunding site Kickstarter.com to fund his latest film, which is slated to start production in April 2014. Jith Paul, a graduate of Algonquin's television broadcasting program, is looking towards the new funding trend to finance his latest film, A Clean Slate, explaining that, "as passionate as we are about filmmaking, passion doesn't pay the bills."
Review – Indie Koala Invasion: building a reel community by Michaella Francom, Apt613, July 3, 2013
Film's success as an art-form is often credited to its ability to engage people one-on-one. Going out to the theatre might seem like a social event, but the moment those lights go down you become isolated and singular in the darkness: the real world vanishes and you're pulled into the illuminated reality of the screen. It's just you and the film.
Mitchell Caplan (CHUO FM 89.1 Ottawa) interviews Karim Ayari and Jith Paul about short films Perfect, Algebra, the Treepot5 free outdoor movie screening coming up on July 20th, 2013.
Listen nowTreepot Media's Jith Paul chats about the #TreepotCliffhanger project with CBC's Alan Neal on All In A Day on CBC Radio One 91.5 FM on January 22, 2013.
Listen nowThe Treepot Indie Filmmaker Showcase returns with a new slate of exciting award winning films on March 29th, 2012. Jith Paul and Derek Price interviewed by John Sekerka on CHUO - March 15, 2012.
Listen nowWatch a film under the stars by Adrienne Ascah, Ottawa Sun, July 15, 2013
Film buffs can enjoy a night under the stars as Treepot5: Indie Koala Invasion celebrates local, indie shorts and documentaries at Dundonald Park on Saturday. Kicking off at 9 p.m., the free event features short films and documentaries shown on a large outdoor screen. A collaboration of Treepot Media, Centretown Movies and the City of Ottawa, the 90-minute program will include work by filmmakers Karim Ayari, Levy L Marquis, Phil Arntz, Jith Paul, Ed Kucerak and Jane Gurr.
Read MoreTreepot indie filmmaker showcase returns by Karen Diepeveen, Apt613 October 2, 2012
Ottawa's got a thriving filmmaker scene – which is why the Treepot Indie Filmmaker Showcase gets better every year. Coming up on October 4, this fourth showcase is going above and beyond, featuring some of Ottawa's best as well as some folks who once called Ottawa home. It all takes place down at the Bytowne, where for just $10 you can catch over ten short films and music videos, and win a few awesome prizes.
Read MoreFirst Annual Indie Filmmaker Showcase does Ottawa Proud by OLM Contributor, Ottawa Life Magazine, September 28, 2011
Instead of competing with big guns like TIFF, Showcase is not interested in being considered in the same category. Rather, it hopes to become the Canadian version of Sundance, "where independent artists showcase more arty films, short films, documentaries, that kind of thing," explains Jith Paul, the event's mastermind and man behind Treepot Media. "I wanted to show that Ottawa has so much going on right beneath the surface."
Read MoreWatch the preview for Treepot 6: Pumped up Flix, a fundraiser for the crowd-funded short film 'A Clean Slate' held at the Alumni Auditorium, Univerisity of Ottawa.
Behind the scenes on the set of Rogers 22 Daytime. Filmmakers Karim Ayari and Jith Paul chat with host Derick Fage about the upcoming inauguaral Treepot Indie Filmmaker showcase screening.
CBC Ottawa Late Night News segment on the inaugural Treepot Indie Filmmaker Showcase screening at the Mayfair Theatre on September 11, 2011.
Postering for #Treepot3, a promo video shot in the Byward market area of Ottawa courtesy Jean-François Dufault and Jordan Krakower.
A sneak preview of the short films that the audience will enjoy at Treepot2: Electric Boogaloo at the Bytowne Cinema.
The Best of Treepot 1 and 2 DVD promo featuring work by filmmakers Kristian Lariviere, Karim Ayari, Jith Paul, Nocolas Séguin, Jean-François Dufault and others.
Treepot Film Festival screenings took place at the Bytowne Cinema, the Mayfair Theatre, Alumni Auditorium at the University of Ottawa and at Dundonald Park and at Club SAW in downtown Ottawa. We are fortunate to have this many venues that are local indie film friendly. Here are just a few photos that represent some of these venues. Stay tuned as we refocus and hit the next stage in our goal to foster local filmmakers and filmmakers with our latest collaboration, Ottawa Canadian Film Festival.
Treepot Media is a production company based in Ottawa, Canada, that produces and collaborates on documentaries, short films, music, event and promotional videos. Our latest projects include Drum with Us, an advocacy video for ACTRA National's Diversity Committee and the short films Jasmin et Macarons, a conversation between a woman and her two friends over afternoon tea and Before Me, a film that explores social intolerance and its impact on children.
Treepot Media, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
email: mail@treepotmedia.com
