To the editor:

Blake and I would like to thank the community for their embrace of the first annual RainDance Short Film Festival at The Clyde Theatre over Choochokam weekend.

Hundreds of people came through the theater to see the 25 best homegrown short films from our first digital film contest, and so very many expressed their appreciation for the chance to see the astonishing creativity of Whidbey residents and their kids. If only the filmmakers could have heard all their praise!

We would like to thank the 60 people who sent us films for consideration — as a freelance writer, I know how hard it can be to set your “baby” out there before the public. We owe a debt to Patricia Friedman and the Choochokam staff and volunteers for their early and continued support, and to judges Brent Friedman and Britt Fletcher, who cheerfully gave us seven hours of their time to view and score entries, fueled by the fabulous food provided by their wives.

To Christine Nyburg for the striking RainDance logo and poster; to Mark Dworkin, Melissa Young and Clancy Dunigan for technical advice and support; to Cathi Bower at PennSport for making the RainDance caps for the prizewinners at the last minute; and to Allicat Productions for keeping the sound at the Main Stage at a level that didn’t interfere with the films. And of course, to Patricia Duff and Brian Kelly at The Record for helping get the word out.

If you start now, you’ll have plenty of time to really polish your own film under 10 minutes before the June 1, 2009 contest deadline for next year’s RainDance!

Lynn Willeford

Langley