The Jasper Film Club held its Annual General Meeting on Nov. 18 to discuss growing the club and how to fill the seats for its monthly screenings at the Chaba Theatre.

President of the club, Bob Covey, discussed the new projector the club is seeking, and the progress on the grant application. So far Covey has been working to obtain letters of support from other community groups who would use the projector, and plans to send the application away once it is finished. 

The grant, if approved, would provide the club with another $5,000 to match the club’s contribution. The total budget for the new state-of-the-art projector is $10,000. It would display DVDs and could be used by many different clubs. 

“I think the more support we get from groups in the community the better,” Covey said. 

The advantage of a DVD projector is that many independent films are burnt straight to DVD. It could open up a whole new selection of movies for the film club to choose from. 

Covey said the new projector could also one day be used for a film festival in Jasper. 

The club has finished stocking the library with all the films they have shown over their history. Titles from the last year are now available for check-out at the library. The library has requested a list of the films, so that those interested can search through the list for movies they missed. 

Covey and Chris Garnham, who is the club’s secretary/treasurer, reported on the use of the club’s donated camera at the Jasper Jr./Sr. High School. Despite the school not having a formal club, the camera is being heavily used. Covey mentioned that the users of the camera have been discussing the need for a second one. While no formal request had been made, Covey said the club should keep the possibility of purchasing another camera in mind. 

Garnham reported on the equipment the club has donated to the school that includes three computers with editing software in addition to the camera. 

The club was made aware that a film was presented at the high school’s Remembrance Day assembly made using the equipment. Another film was presented at Parks Canada’s recent public forum. The film received a standing ovation. The club is now waiting for a formal request from the high school for the second camera that would allow more than one student to film, or more angles to be filmed at the same event. 

Garnham presented a brief financial report, where he announced all of the club’s assets were paid off. 

The report stated that there were 26 members, each paying the membership fee. 

Fred MacMillan, vice president of the film club, asked whether any of the expenses could be trimmed. After discussion by the group, it was determined that the fees to use the Chaba Theatre, advertising and other expenses were all necessary.

The unfortunate timing of the club’s last two films, one of which fell on the night of the Municipal Election, was discussed. The members in attendance said the upcoming film, Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie, should get more people filling the seats. The date shouldn’t conflict with any other community events. From the two films that have already been shown this season, the club has grossed $656. 

Next on the agenda, was the recently opened Habitat for the Arts. The operating association, IOTAD, has asked for contributions from local arts groups to contribute to the space. The club discussed budgeting $500 for the season, as long as they saw benefits from the contribution. The club nominated MacMillan to be the representative on the yet-to-be-created IOTAD group that would be made up of different arts groups reps. 

Being that the meeting was an AGM, the club re-elected the president, vice president and secretary/treasurer. Covey, MacMillan and Garnham were all nominated to remain in their positions; they all accepted. 

The next film will be Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie, at the Chaba Theatre on Dec. 2.