Many VFS student films go on to screen at festivals, or are showcased online. It’s one of the things we’re most proud of — VFS films are more than just demo reels, they’re great stories that entertain.

But we’d be hard pressed to think of a student film that’s been shown around the world more than Climber, by 3D grad Carlos Villarreal-Kwasek. As of this writing, Climber has been screened – or has been accepted for screening – at no fewer than 17 film festivals worldwide. Festivals specializing in animation and adventure films alike are loving the piece. The next screening will take place at the 30th Telluride Mountainfilm Festival, May 22nd – 26th, 2008.

We just had to know what it was like to see one’s student film journey around the world like that. So we did what we do: we asked.

Carlos, what has been the benefit to you, having your work screened at all of these festivals?

Promoting my film and my name as an Animator and Director. I think that the real benefit is yet to come, when I’ll start looking for sponsorship for my next short film, for which I’m in preproduction at the moment. I see these times more like an investment.

Have you made any lasting connections (through festival screenings) that might help you in your career down the road?

Sender Films and Alpinist TV contacted me after seeing the film at BANFF. That makes me consider working on this kind of film again in the future.

You attended, and spoke at, the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF). Can you tell us what you said, and what the response to your film was?

First, I briefly explained what CG and Animation are all about, and what the program at VFS is like. Then I explained little bit more about my motivation for doing this film. My passion for Animation and Mountaineering meet for this project, and during the course of creating it, I discovered both disiplines are similar: a challenging experience that demands time, patience and love. The result and the process give you a great deal of satisfaction, but the path is sometimes steep… you just gotta keep going.

I think people liked the film. I was happy to hear that people understood it, and cared about the main character.

Would you recommend that other students/graduates try to get their work screened at festivals? Why?

Absolutely yes. It’s a way of promoting your work, and if you intend to keep doing your own stuff in the future, it’s the best way for people in the industry to get to know you.

What are you working on these days?

I’m working at Prime Focus in London, a company from India that in the last two years has bought three VFX companies in the UK, and two in North America. Bollywood is taking over the world!

I’m also working on a short film and I hope to get some funding for it in the future. Being in London helps a lot, because there is a lot going on here. You meet all kinds of people from different disciplines.

My next film is not related with mountaineering, but as in Climber, its attention is centered on the character’s feelings. I like when doubt takes over, and you are pulled out of your safe zone, and you feel unconfortable and analyze things that otherwise you wouldn’t.

Tell us a bit about this picture of you climbing!

That picture was taken on the Cotopaxi in Ecuador (5897m, 19,347ft) – one of the most popular, beautiful and easy to climb mountains in Ecuador. Climbing in the Andes is a little bit different from the Alpine style. Since there are higher temperatures during daytime and higher risk of avalanches, the climbing starts at 1 am at night, and arrival at the summit should be no later than 8 am or so. If you are really lucky and there is a full moon on the way up, oh… that’s something…

Then its all about the sights on the way down.