Just over 2 weeks from now, the third annual Vancouver Web Fest (taking place from March 18th-20th at the Performance Works Theatre on Granville Island in Vancouver), will bring together web series creators, fans and industry professionals as they honor and celebrate some of the best original scripted and non-scripted content produced for online audiences.

In addition to the already impressive list of series screening at this year’s fest, attendees will also gain valuable networking and learning opportunities through informative panel discussions, speeches and workshops featuring some of digital media’s most respected creatives, executives and influencers.

Highlights of this year’s event include the world premiere of SUPERNATURAL FANDOM: THE MOVIE, a new documentary film that chronicles the fervent (and still going strong) fan following of the CW’s long-running sci-fi/horror/suspense drama SUPERNATURAL.

That screening, presented by Two Sharks Media and sponsored by Frostbite Pictures, is also part of the VWF’s opening night party on Friday, March 18th, kicking off the entire 3 day weekend of events at this year’s festival. Doors open at 7:30 PM, with screening beginning at 8, and festivities following at 9:30 PM til 1 AM.

A full, downloadable list of the weekend’s events and official selection screenings with days and times is available at this link, via the VWF’s official website (see link below).  Tickets for the 3 day event are still available to purchase on that site, but be advised – they’re going fast, so make your reservations while there’s still time.

“I am so excited and proud of this year’s festival and the Official Selections, workshops, panelists and keynote speakers. The support, not only from our local sponsors, community partners and filmmakers, but from around the world, has been absolutely phenomenal,” says Vancouver Web Fest founder/executive director Suzette Laqua. “I’m looking forward to meeting new friends and seeing old ones.”

Throughout the weekend, various panel discussions and workshops will address many crucial aspects of web series and digital media, including strategies for distribution and attracting audiences online, technical areas of filmmaking (lighting, editing, among others), utilizing branded content, entertainment law, and techniques for creating hilarious comedy in today’s competitive online video marketplace.

On Saturday, March 19th, aspiring and current web series creators will have a chance to present their original ideas to representatives of some of today’s most prominent digital content companies in a rapid fire “speed pitch session” from 5:15-6:45 PM. Executives from CBC Digital, Dailymotion, JTS.tv (Just The Story)/Flixtra, OUTtv (Canada’s only network geared towards LGBT audiences), and Canada’s IPF (Independent Production Fund) will be on hand.

This year’s keynote speakers include Melissa Schneider, senior vice president of development and production at New Form Digital, and Bernie Su, Emmy winning creator/director/writer of the acclaimed series THE LIZZIE BENNET DIARIES and EMMA APPROVED, and creator of the  new drama series VANITY, the first original production mounted by Canvas Media Studios (which Su co-founded).

Schneider will speak on March 19th, while Su appears on Sunday, March 20th (both from 2:10-3:10 PM). In addition to their keynote speeches,  both Su and Schneider will also participate in the pitch sessions.

All these great events lead to the VWF’s closing night awards ceremony and party on March 20th (running from 6:30 til 11:15 PM), where the winners of each category will receive the festival’s prestigious trophy, sponsored by the Sparkling Hill Resort of Vernon, British Columbia, and exclusively constructed and designed by Swarovski.

Thanks to such an impressive lineup of show screenings, networking sessions, panels, workshops and presentations, this year’s Vancouver Web Fest will be quite a rewarding experience for both passionate web series fans and creators alike.

For more information on this year’s Vancouver Web Fest, visit:

http://www.vancouverwebfest.com

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/VancouverWebFest

TWITTER: @VanWebFest