Sun Feb 5
10.00am
10.00am
CFFS 2023 – [In-Person] Cameraless Film Workshop: Digging Up Surprises
workshop
We love all our youth workshops, but this one takes the cake! NWFF Cinema Programmer Cris Vázquez de Mercado, a veritable master of madcap DIY decor and architect of last festival’s magnificent mega-cake (see below), will teach a short session on artificial cake-craft. These captivating confections start with a styrofoam base, and are then frosted with acrylic paint mixed with plaster, applied through a piping bag and tip just like edible icing would be. (Please, no matter how delicious they look, do not eat these cakes!)
All materials are provided by NWFF — a range of colors of icing, the styrofoam base you’ll build your cake around, icing-shaping tools, and a few decorative toppers. No cake is complete without a delicate li’l fruit garnish … or plastic monkey, Godzilla, et cetera … depends on the cake.
This experience is fun for any age, but requires some patience and concentration — we recommend confectioners ages 10 and under be accompanied by a guardian. And remember, everything you learn in cake class can be applied to making other props, masks, decorations, photo frames, et cetera — so keep that crafting energy alive at home!
All workshops have a suggested registration fee of $100, however we do offer a sliding scale, pay-what-you-can model for those who need that option.
NWFF Cinema Programmer
pronouns: they/them
Cris is a filmmaker and artist who moved to Seattle in 2011 to study film and creative writing. Cris is passionate about fostering community through the arts and media and participates in Seattle’s thriving DIY community. They have written for Screen Queens, a blog focusing on women filmmakers and the LGBTQ+ film community. While at Seattle University, they interned at TheFilmSchool and The Vera Project. Also, Cris co-wrote, cast, and art directed the short Out of Print, which won 1st place and the “Audience Choice Award” at Seattle University’s 2014 Film Festival, as well as the “Audience Choice Award” at NFFTY.
They first became involved at NWFF in 2014 when they interned as the Gala Coordinator. Afterwards, they continued studying film through NWFF’s workshops and classes because of NWFF’s commitment to accessibility. In 2021 they joined the Forum staff as Patron Services Manager, and in late 2022, transitioned into the role of Cinema Programmer.
Photograph by Derek Edamura
Step into a world of fantasy and fairytale at the 2023 Children’s Film Festival Seattle! Expect fantastical films, wondrous workshops, and spectacular special events. Since 2005, CFFS has provided a joyous and dynamic setting to celebrate the best and brightest in international film programs for children and families through films, workshops, field trips, and filmmaker discussions.