We have some good news, and some bad news. The good news: the 16 finalists from the 2014 Geocaching International Film Festival are now available for your viewing. The bad news: there are only 16 (and believe us, you’ll want to see more).
Watch the full films and decide which should receive the Global GIFF Audience Award here: http://bit.ly/1vFapUU.
Wondering what inspired these amazing films? Hear from the filmmakers in their own words in the interviews below.
The Lonely Cacher
A film by eldiablo11811 | USA
“Having recently lost his wife our protagonist attempts to lose himself in the one activity that used to bring him and his wife great joy. When a new geocache goes live he is sent out on the hunt…but ends up finding more than an FTF.”
Who or what inspired this film?
My inspiration for this film was to just make a cool little film for an activity I love. When I realized I was going to enter the festival I just kind of let my creative side wander and while actually out caching the idea of doing a silent film style short presented itself. From that moment I was sold.
How did you assemble the team (directors, actors, crew, etc.)?
My team is comprised of my best friend and fellow geocacher David C. Diaz (Legacy727) who was the cinematographer and camera operator. My leading actor is a great guy Leo Petry who I worked with on a short many years ago called Kharon’s Fare. I chose him because I felt he fit the role and honestly looked the part of a cacher who has retired and remains active through caching. Debbie Klaar (leading actress) fits the same bill as well. I found her through a friend and from the moment she hit the “set” she was just awesome to work with.
Did you have any funny/interesting/challenging behind-the-scenes moments?
I originally wanted to make this silent film a period piece of sorts. I wanted my actors to dress sort of period (Victorian/Edwardian) and maybe hint at a steampunk style of ascetic but as the deadline drew nearer it just couldn’t have been put together in time.
If you could condense this film down to a basic message to all geocachers, what would it be?
All too often people walk through this world with their heads down or with some form of blinders on. Once they allow themselves to be rid of them or decide to look up they will be pleasantly surprised.
What recommendations do you have for new geocaching filmmakers?
This advice isn’t just for geocaching film festival filmmakers but for all filmmakers: PRE-PRODUCTION is key.The extra work you put in at the beginning will save your butt later.
What are you excited about for GIFF 2015?
I’m amped for my next entry. As I wrapped the 2014 entry I came up with my 2015 entry so I’ve had a super head start this year.
Remember the Fallen
A film by mrbrimm | USA
“A sister honors her brother’s life with a special trip.”
Who or what inspired this film?
I know people who have served our country and others have lost their lives fighting for it. I saw the military geocoins which sparked the story and the rest just fell into place.
How did you assemble the team (directors, actors, crew, etc.)?
I tapped my local network of actors and friends. The actor that plays the soldier worked on another film I made. He served Iraq. My wife helped with costumes and set dressing. I shot and edited the film myself.
Did you have any funny/interesting/challenging behind-the-scenes moments?
The most difficult parts to shoot were the kayaking scenes. It’s quite difficult to shoot a scene while paddling a kayak, trying not to drop the camera in the water and not bouncing all over the place making the audience sick in the process.
If you could condense this film down to a basic message to all geocachers, what would it be?
You can share your life with family or friends and experience the world through geocaching.
What recommendations do you have for new geocaching filmmakers?
Make a film about what is important to you and what geocaching means in your life.
What are you excited about for GIFF 2015?
To come up with an even better film for next time.
Geocaching Therapy
A film by L’Avanguardia Team | Italy
“A man is on the bed of Dr. Ground Spychiatric, a well known psychiatric. He feels bad, he feels alone. The psychiatric suggests geocaching therapy. The man discovers a new world that will take him into an exciting loving experience!”
Who or what inspired this film?
The drawings that makes the movie were made while watching the 3 matches of Italy soccer team during World Championship Brazil 2014. Italy was so bad, so not to concentrate too much on the defeat we drew! Italy’s defeat was our best inspiration! Another inspiration is a deep friendship and synergy there is among the 4 members of the team: inside we have the nerd and the creative part and this mix is really working!
How did you assemble the team (directors, actors, crew, etc.)?
As the single frames are drawings it was quite easy at the end to assemble them in a movie, using a video editor program.
Did you have any funny/interesting/challenging behind-the-scenes moments?
We had fun when we looked for a name of the psychiatric and suddenly came out “Ground Spychiatric” which is almost a funny anagram of GroundSpeak.
If you could condense this film down to a basic message to all geocachers, what would it be?
Geocaching loves you!
What recommendations do you have for new geocaching filmmakers?
A recommendation is to develop new creative ideas, think to unexplored aspects of geocaching.
What are you excited about for GIFF 2015?
We have some new ideas for our next movie and we would like to participate. On 21st February we will organize an event in a theatre of Milan to present our Geocaching Therapy to the Italian geocaching community and we will invite people to participate, because it’s a wonderful experience.
The Two Mountains
A film by HurricaneJuan | USA
“Find out what Geocaching means to one of South Florida’s favorite geocaching teams, as they hike their way towards ‘Mud Island’ (GC2CYTQ).”
Who or what inspired this film?
I’ve been on more Geocaching trips than I can remember with Auyantepuy and his son Autanatepuy. On one particular occasion, when Autanatepuy was still too young to go on a swamp hike, Auyantepuy had one of our friends record a very personal message for his son. His view of what Geocaching is all about is refreshing and inspiring, and his interest in passing on that passion to his son is uplifting.
How did you assemble the team (directors, actors, crew, etc.)?
This was the easy part. I just asked him if he wanted to make a short film. Lucky for me, he said “yes!”.
Did you have any funny/interesting/challenging behind-the-scenes moments?
Well, as it turns out, Autanatepuy is NOT a morning person. Dad had to struggle to get him out of the car so early in the morning.
If you could condense this film down to a basic message to all geocachers, what would it be?
Get out and enjoy our environment through Geocaching. Make the trip the reward!
Spend A Little Time With You
A film by HurricaneBrain | USA
“This song and video are for my kids to commemorate all our geocaching adventures. Go Team HurricaneBrain!”
Who or what inspired this film?
My two favorite geocaching partners, Simon and Sawyer.
How did you assemble the team (directors, actors, crew, etc.)?
I pretty much handled everything. Once I wrote the song everything just sorta fell into place. My kids did a little filming when I mounted the GoPro on their bikes. The biggest outside help I got was with the song. A big thanks to Nat Graves and Sam Pearce who turned my simple little acoustic guitar song into the fully produced version in the video.
Did you have any funny/interesting/challenging behind-the-scenes moments?
My kids and I really do enjoy geocaching together and we’ve made a couple short videos of actual finds. But all the caches in our video were fake ones I set up for quick filming. It was kinda funny getting my kids to pretend to be excited about finding empty containers. I also figured out pretty quickly that I wasn’t going to get multiple takes on things…so that kept me hopping with the camera work.
If you could condense this film down to a basic message to all geocachers, what would it be?
As satisfying as it is to find a good cache, what I enjoy most about going with my kids is quality time getting outdoors and being active together. I tried to express this in the lyrics: “The best thing I find is this feeling inside…These moments we share making memories here.”
What recommendations do you have for new geocaching filmmakers?
Just go for it! You’re already out caching…you’ve got your phone…uh it’s a camera too. Maybe start just by documenting a few good finds (but don’t be a spoiler!) and go from there. Watch all the films from the first two GIFF festivals and look for other caching videos too. This will inspire you but also keep you from repeating similar ideas.
What are you excited about for GIFF 2015?
We really hope to attend this year. We were really bummed to miss the last one…especially since our film screened. It would’ve been great to watch all the films on the big screen with a great crowd in an amazing setting. We hope to enter another film too.
Love Geocaching
A film by Chiliconsushi | France
“Two geocachers go on a search for the same cache, and they will find something else…”
Who or what inspired this film?
We are a couple of geocachers se we thought it would be funny to make a movie about love and geocaching.
Did you have any funny/interesting/challenging behind-the-scenes moments?
Weather was cloudy so sometimes two following scenes that we filmed minutes apart don’t have the same lighting.
If you could condense this film down to a basic message to all geocachers, what would it be?
Sometimes, when you go on a cache hunt you don’t always find what you’d expect…
What recommendations do you have for new geocaching filmmakers?
Have fun!
What are you excited about for GIFF 2015?
We’re thrilled to see even more movies from around the world! And also, we hope we can attend the 2015’s edition!
Think your geocaching film has what it takes to have geocaching audiences cheering in approval? Visit the GIFF 2015 homepage and find out how to enter!
