Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Nanaimo director Kerilie McDowall wins indie prize in Los Angeles

A documentary about Qualicum Beach jazz musician Rick Kilburn has earned its Nanaimo director an award at the Indie Short Fest in Los Angeles. In the Zone: Rick Kilburn earned Kerilie McDowall the outstanding achievement award for web and new media.
A screen grab from In the Zone: Rick Kilburn
A screen grab from In the Zone: Rick Kilburn.

A documentary about Qualicum Beach jazz musician Rick Kilburn has earned its Nanaimo director an award at the Indie Short Fest in Los Angeles.

In the Zone: Rick Kilburn earned Kerilie McDowall the outstanding achievement award for web and new media. The documentary, which is available for free on YouTube, features interviews with the Vancouver-born Kilburn, who played with jazz greats like Dave Brubeck, Mose Allison, and Chet Baker. He has performed and recorded locally with Miranda Sage and Brad Prevedoros, among others.

The international film competition win is one of several McDowall hopes to secure in the coming months. The film is currently in contention at festivals in Australia, Italy, and the U.S.