Miloš Mitrović and Fabián Velasco, photo supplied
University of Winnipeg instructor and award-winning filmmaker, Miloš Mitrović, and UWinnipeg alumnus, Fabián Velasco, have their first feature film, TAPEWORM, premiering at the 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) this September. The film was written, produced, and directed by Mitrović and Velasco.
TAPEWORM is a story about a hypochondriac, a failed comedian, a loner, and two naive stoners who seek an escape from their pitiful and mundane existence. The film was shot entirely in Winnipeg on a shoestring budget over the span of a year, and holds Winnipeg as its primary inspiration for the creation of the film.
“We were able to make a film that captures the bittersweet nature of living in Winnipeg,” said Mitrović.
The film was shot entirely on 16 mm film thanks to the generous support of the Winnipeg Film Group and Winnipeg Arts Council.
“We are so proud to finish the film and screen it at the VIFF,” said Velasco. “We have put our heart and soul into this project and cannot wait for audiences to see it.”
Both Mitrović and Velasco have deep ties to the University. Along with being film student graduates, UWinnipeg is where they originally met and became friends.
“Fabián and I met while taking film studies at UWinnipeg, and have been making films together ever since,” shared Mitrović. “We both learned so much through the UWinnipeg film program, and together have made numerous short films that have gone on to play around the world at very prestigious film festivals, and now have a feature playing at VIFF. Taking the film program was a very rewarding experience for both of us.”
TAPEWORM will screen at VIFF in late September, and is eligible to win awards.
The UWinnipeg film-makers Mitrović and Velasco’s are no strangers to film festivals. Their work has been shown at numerous international and national festivals including the Toronto Film Festival, Edinburgh Short Film Festival, Celluloid Screams Film Festival (UK), Trebinje Film Festival (Bosnia), Fantastic Film Festival (US), and Monster Festival (Australia) to name a few.
About Mitrović and Velasco
Mitrović, who was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia, is an award-winning and Canadian-based writer/director. He is best known for his short films Imitations (2016) and homer_b (2017). Mitrovic’s films blend comedy and drama to create an innovative style that grasps the attention of cinema lovers. Currently, Mitrović teaches film studies at UWinnipeg.
Velasco, who is originally from Argentina, is a Canadian-based filmmaker. He has written and directed several short films and music videos, which have screened locally and internationally. His latest short film, Imitations, co-directed with Miloš Mitrović, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2016.
