Rhonda's Party wins CBC Short Film Face-Off

Congratulations to filmmaker Ashley McKenzie, writer Christine Comeau, producer Nelson MacDonald and all their collaborators, whose film Rhonda’s Party won the big prize on the CBC Short Film Face-Off this weekend.

The show, until this year broadcast only in Atlantic Canada, went national in 2011. McKenzie’s film was up against pictures from Newfoundland and Ontario when it went into the final round, decided by public vote. McKenzie and her peeps will receive $50,000 in cash and equipment rentals towards their next shoot.

Rhonda’s Party tells the story of a nursing home resident who’s devoted months to planning her best friend’s 100th birthday celebration, only to learn her friend passed away the night before the party. It was created through the AFCOOP Film Five program and screened last fall at the Atlantic Film Festival. It stars Marguerite McNeil and Karine Vanasse.