Float

Float

Quick stats about the movie

Despite his overwhelming fear of water, Tom finds himself sitting beside his wife, Judy at the edge of a local pool. He’s finally agreed to let her teach him to swim.

Tom is running out of time to muster his courage and take the plunge. Not only because the pool is minutes away from closing, but because Judy’s health is failing her. With Judy’s help, Tom finally makes it into the water.

His first swimming lesson becomes a lesson in confronting the possibility that he will have to go on living without his wife – in keeping her with him, while staying afloat all on his own.

Creative team

Writer: Adam Grant Warren
Director: Juan Riedinger
Producers: Andrew Halliwell, Shawn Angelski

Filmmaker’s statement

Juan Riedinger says:

“I am thrilled to have yet another film screening in the NSI Online Short Film Festival. The festival has been overwhelmingly supportive of me and my work and it’s a wonderful opportunity for Canadian filmmakers to showcase their films to basically anyone living in the country.

People often ask me why I chose to shoot Float on 35mm film. I did it for two reasons. First and foremost, the medium of film provided a grainy, nostalgic quality which enhanced the story we were telling. Secondly, I didn’t know if I would ever get another opportunity to do so, as everything is shifting to the digital realm and film is sadly becoming less accessible to filmmakers. I’m very happy we chose film to be our canvas for Float.

This was also my first time experiencing underwater cinematography, which provided a number of other challenges. The underwater shots we got were imperative to the story so I’m happy we decided to face these challenges.

I learned a lot from making Float, which is something I strive to do with every film I make. Thanks for watching!”

About Juan Riedinger

Juan-Riedinger-Float

A graduate of the University of Calgary’s theatre program, Juan began his career as an actor, appearing in numerous film and television productions including Jennifer’s Body, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Covert Affairs, Fringe, Sanctuary, Smallville, Human Target and Supernatural.

Although he still acts full-time, Juan has directed over a dozen short films and is hoping to direct his first feature soon. His directorial debut – a project called Shark Out of Water – landed him Leo Award nominations in four categories including best short drama and best direction in a short drama.

Many of Juan’s films have screened in the NSI Online Short Film Festival and he received the A&E Short Filmmaker’s Award for his films Birth Day and Shark Out of Water.

Float is Juan’s most recent film and was shot on 35 mm film with the help of a grant from BravoFACT. It won Juan the award for most promising director of a Canadian short in the 2012 Vancouver International Film Festival.

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