Thunder Bay's Ryan La Via is making his red carpet debut next week in London, England.
In 2012, La Via entered a script competition called 50 Kisses. The London-based competition asked writers to submit a short film with just three requirements: its script could only be two pages long; it had to take place on Valentine's Day; and it had to feature a kiss.
Of the nearly 2,000 entries, La Via's script titled Red Light was one of 50 winners.
"After the scripts were chosen, they were put out to the world to produce as short two-minute films," said La Via, an account executive with Dougall Media.
About 175 films were produced and 25 were chosen to create one 90-minute feature length film, which premieres Feb. 13 in London.
A U.K.-produced version of Red Light was one of the 25 short films chosen for 50 Kisses.
"It's basically about two people who meet at a red light and show interest in one another with a surprise ending," said La Via.
He corresponded with the London production crew that made Red Light via email while they were filming it but La Via hasn't met any of the crew in person. It's just one of the things he's looking forward to when he leaves for London on Saturday.
"The actual theatrical premiere that I'm attending is going to be a great networking opportunity," he said. "I've been told there are industry insiders attending."
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That's what the 50 Kisses competition was all about - giving up and coming filmmakers a stepping stone as they build their careers.
The event will bring filmmakers from around the world together and Red Light was the only winning script from Canada.
And with broad rules, La Via said a wide variety of genres will be represented in the final product.
"You'll see some zombie pictures. You'll see some heavy dramas. You'll see some comedies. It was open to however you wanted to interpret it," he said.
