Krista Corner Havre Daily News kcorner@havredailynews.com
A group of artistic locals is preparing to host its annual film festival. Yellow Bus Creations Second Annual Documentary Film Festival will take place Feb. 22, 23 and 24 at the Montana State University- Northern Little Theatre. Member Rita Campbell said, this year the film focus is on holistic, spiritual and mental health. "We're focusing on individual and environmental wellness," she said. "We want to expose people to the different types of healing in different parts of the world." The festival wi l l open with "Sicko," a documentary about how the health care system in the U.S. measures up to systems in foreign countries. The film is directed by Michael Moore. "We're pretty excited about that," Yellow Bus co-coordinator Kris Shaw said. Coordinators plan to moderate a discussion about "Sicko" after the showing. Amateur and professional filmmakers can participate A call for entries is put out every fall from the Yellow Bus group for interested filmmakers to participate, Shaw said. The deadline for submissions, this year, was Jan. 18. The date changes year-to-year depending on the festival date, she added. A contest is held for the amateur filmmakers, which is judged by a panel selected by the Yellow Bus group, Shaw said. The first-place winner receives an original artwork trophy that Shaw created. Winners also receive a keychain and various other prizes donated by the community. Havre High School students submitted a total of 15 entries for the contest. Two area adults also submitted entries. Anyone who is interested in entering a documentary for the contest or for viewing at the next festival can find the forms and more information on the group's Web site at www.yellowbuscreations. org. Public is welcome to attend Those wishing to attend the festival can purchase advanced tickets available starting Friday at the High Plains Gallery and Frame Shop located at 215 Third Ave.; the Havre Heal th Foods and Ear thl ight s Wellness Center in the Holiday Village Mall; at Creative Leisure located at 417 First St.; and from any Yellow Bus Creations member. Members are: David and Kris Shaw, Margaret Meggs, Kevin and Rita Campbell, Brian Williams, Jean Patera and Bonnie Mosbrucher. The Friday, Feb. 22, showing of "Sicko" begins at 7 p.m. and will end between 9 and 10 p.m. depending on what kind of discussion is generated. Times for other films, including films submitted by students, have not ye t be en de t e rmined, but Saturday's showings will run from 10 a. m. to 9 p.m. and the Sunday session starts at 1 p.m. and ends at 6 p. m. All help is welcome For anyone interested in helping with the film festival, the Yellow Bus Creations group meets again at Dave and Kris Shaw's residence on the top floor of the Atrium Mall at 5:30 p.m. tonight. Community members interested in contributing to the group financially or donating time are welcome to attend. For more information about Yellow Bus Creations contact Kevin and Rita Campbell at 265-5301 or 357-3731 or contact David or Kris Shaw 265-3125 or 265-6752.
