By Darcy Love, Toronto Film School Film Production Alumnus

One year ago, over the course of two long, cold November nights in Toronto, I, along with a cast and crew of fellow Toronto Film School students, shot my final short of film school.

The film is called “The Man Who Loves Flowers” and it is based on a short story by author Stephen King. The process of creating this film had its challenges, but one year later it is screening all over the country, has been accepted into seven film festivals and already won two awards.

First, my film premiered at theToronto Film School Festival of Films. This was an honour in itself as there were more than 100 pieces of work submitted to the festival. But in addition to this, we had decided to submit it to several other festivals, primarily horror festivals. When the positive responses started coming in, I could barely believe it.

The first festival we went to was the 6ix Screams Festival, a small Toronto based festival in its first year. There the film received the “Warped Act Award” given to the best death scene at the 6ix Screams Festival.

On Saturday 27th of October, the film screened at the Edmonton Festival of Fear. I travelled out to Edmonton to attend the three-day festival. Thursday night kicked things off with a red carpet gala. Having consulted my friend Luna Lindsey, a stylist and a Toronto Film School Marketing for Fashion and Entertainment graduate, I felt confident I would wow the red carpet. Toronto Film School alumnus Cayley Hanson’s short film “Don’t Turn Around” screened at the opening of the festival.

Saturday was a full day of festival activities. Another Toronto Film School alumnus Michael Ucello of Metal Monster Production had his short film “God’s Madman” screened during the morning. Followed by the Edmonton filmmakers’ shorts. Finally my film “The Man Who Loved Flowers” screened before the closing feature film. I was extremely excited to have my film on the big screen in front of a live audience (who loved my film). After a brief Q&A, it was time for the award ceremony.

I was fortunate enough to win Best Canadian Short from a First Time Director. Winning the award was the icing on the cake for this festival.

It’s an incredible feeling to have the nine months of hard work pay off at these festivals, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the cast and crew I had met during my time at the Toronto Film School.

Next up is the Southeast Michigan Film Festival, and we are still waiting to hear back from another six film festivals.