With projection screens in the foreground and picturesque mountains in the background, what more could anyone ask for in a movie watching experience? If your answer is Vin Diesel, you probably would not have enjoyed the Seven Minute Film Fest.

Once again showcasing the best, brightest and shortest in independent film, the Canmore Seven Minute Film Fest exhibited amazing shorts from as nearby as Calgary and as far away as France on over 40 screens at The Drake Inn. No fee was charged, but a donation was solicited with proceeds going towards AIDS Bow Valley.

The range of the films was amazing. Toronto's Matt Austin submitted a film entitled Jimmy, telling the heart-wrenching tale of a 12-year-old heroin addict. Also in the group of 16 finalists was the sequel to last years People's Choice Award winner, XT2: The Lord of the Springs, directed by Calgary's own Todd Forsbloom. This mockumentary returned us to the world of extreme tramping. The operatic Toothpaste, directed by Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg from Toronto, opened the final screening, but in the end, it was Black Angus directed by Edmonton's Dave Morgan that took home the Best Film Award. Using brilliant, original music and unique choreography, Morgan makes a film that deserved first place at a first-rate festival.

This year's festival proved once again that the steadfast team behind last year's, and the years before that, are more than capable of organizing a top notch film festival. With this year's success, the tradition is sure to be carried on for years to come, and give even more people their seven minutes of fame.