August 26, 2003 
Calgary ­ The filmmakers, cast and crew of Storm and The Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers (CSIF) announce the presentation of STORM 20. On the occasion of it's 20th Anniversary, this film event is a rare opportunity to view Storm in 35mm- one of the first homegrown, independent, all-Calgary movies to be made in the early 80's. This film event takes place at 4:00pm on Saturday, September 6 at the Uptown Screen (612, 8th Ave SW). Original photography on this award-winning suspense/drama took place August 22 - September 20, 1983 in Bragg Creek and Calgary with a total budget of only $70K. After a screening at the Cannes Film Festival the film was released in Canadian theatres in November 1987.

Storm Director, Producer and Writer David Winning said about the film "In the summer of 1983 Storm was created out of a sense of desperation and a sheer fierce independence. I was 22 and I didn't know any better. Why couldn't a bunch of kids go out to the Bragg Creek woods and just make a movie!! I didn't think it would be impossible to make a feature film with a crew of four and cast of five and no money. I didn't think it would be impossible to get a distributor. I didn't think it would take four years of my life to finish!! And in the long run; the film really launched a lot of careers. After Storm, the film's star David Palffy went on to a featured role in Kubrick's FULL METAL JACKET and is currently playing Stargate's resident evil "Anubis" on the hit sci-fi series -- as well as many other feature and tv parts. Amin Bhatia is a successful music composer in Toronto with credits on TV series "ONCE A THIEF" and the "IRON EAGLE" movies. Lead bad guy in Storm and Scotland's pride septuagenarian Stan Kane has had a long career in entertainment beginning back in the "PIG & WHISTLE" days in Toronto and performed the annual Robbie Burns Dinner in Calgary every January. Special Makeup Effects Designer Stan Edmonds is one of the busiest artists in Western Canada and is currently the Makeup Department Head on the blockbuster Wil Smith movie I ROBOT, currently shooting in Vancouver. 

Storm was a film that was willed into existence with a lot of determination, inspiration and support from an eager Calgary community that was still relatively new to movies in the early '80's. I wanted this chance to thank the cast and crew again 20 years later for their trust and incredible talent and support."

Winning plans to celebrate with many of Storm's actors and crew who helped to make it a success many years ago. All the original cast will be in attendance ­ including the film's trio of bad guys, now all in their 70's and 80's, special guests Stan Kane, Harry Freedman, and Lawrence Elion -- all three also now retired (or semi-retired) Calgary actors. Also joining the Reunion from across the country and from around the world are Special Makeup Effects Designer Stan Edmonds, Lead Actor David Palffy and, schedule permitting, Film Editor Bill Campbell who are all flying in from Vancouver. Location Sound recordist Per Asplund is returning from vacation in Stockholm, Sweden while Actor Tom Schioler is flying in from Winnipeg.

A 20-minute "Making of" documentary shot on location will also be screened before the feature. Admission will be the regular Matinee price of $6 with a $3 admission for Seniors, Students and Film co-op members. Cast and crew will be available for Q&A after the screening. 

In the summer of 1979 Winning and a group of others made what was essentially the first film ever at CSIF - the 16mm film Sequence, which was the short that the feature Storm was based on. CSIF will be screening Sequence (along with dozens of others films from CSIF's history) at our 25th Anniversary Intergalactic Film Circus Oct.24 & 25. STORM 20 is the first in a series of film events leading up to CSIF's year-long celebration which will include a 25th Anniversary Spotlight program at this year's Calgary International Film Festival (Sept.26 ­ Oct.5). 

The CSIF (www.csif.org) is Calgary's longest-running Artist-Run Film Co-operative from 1978 to the present day - from Sequence to FUBAR - whose involvement with filmmaking includes production equipment rental, workshops, post-production facilities and the presentation of film events and festivals. 

For further information, screening videos, images, cast and crew bios, interview requests, etc. please contact:

Pete Harris
CSIF
Pete.harris@csif.org
403-205-4747