Conference Centre, the gala Showdown event is open to anyone who wants to
witness the cutting edge of creative filmmaking. The infamous competition,
now in its 5th year, is a major event at the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard
Festival's legendary 10-day celebration fusing music, arts and sports from
April 14-23.

Emerging and veteran filmmakers both agree - there's nothing like
communicating your own personal vision by immortalizing it in film. For
once, you can be exonerated for blowing the budget, excused for staying up
late filming all night, and working at a frenzied pace to complete a
creative interpretation all your own. The icing on the experience - the
chance to win a prize package worth $10,000, and the once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity of showcasing your film to a live audience of 2000 people for
the final Showdown. The winning film is then featured in an international
television special to be aired in 50 countries. Previous winners have also
received significant exposure, including screenings for the Directors Guild
of Canada, at the 2003 Squaw Valley Film Festival, and the 2003 World of
Comedy International Film Festival in Toronto. The films of past winners can
be viewed at www.whistler2006.com/film

Filmmakers will be let loose in Whistler with just 72 hours to shoot, edit
and produce short films ranging from three to four-and-a-half minutes. There
are no boundaries on content, but all footage must be shot within
100-kilometres of Whistler. With films ranging from the bizarre to the
beautiful, the grand finale of the Filmmaker Showdown will screen up to
eight finalists to an esteemed panel of judges that will crown one "Best of
Show". Tickets for this not-to-be-missed gala evening cost $15 and are
available online at www.whistler2006.com/estore

Due to the popularity of the Filmmaker Showdown, advance registration is
highly recommended. Entries may still be accepted, but not guaranteed, at a
meeting required for all participants at the TELUS Conference Centre on
Friday April 14 at 9am in Whistler. The deadline for guaranteed entry is
April 3rd. The competition begins following the meeting at 10am. You can
register your intent to participate and read up about all the filming
details at www.whistler2006.com/film/entry.

The TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival is produced by W1 Inc., an
award-winning sports & entertainment marketing company with offices in
Whistler and Vancouver, and presented in partnership with Tourism Whistler
and Whistler Blackcomb. W1 is best known for founding and producing the
largest annual winter sports and music festival in North America - the TELUS
World Ski & Snowboard Festival, featuring major professional skiing and
snowboarding competitions, the largest free outdoor concert series in
Canada, the legendary Pro Photographer and Filmmaker Showdowns, and many
more unique art and cultural showcases. Founded in 1993, W1 has staged over
400 concerts and produced television specials for distribution in 120
countries. Please visit w1.ca for information on W1, and whistler2006.com
for details on the 2006 TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival, this year
from April 14-23.