Winnipeggers' fixation with Slurpees — the sweet, slushy ice-based drink consumed in such large quantities here that 7-Eleven has made the city "Slurpee capital of the world" — has inspired an American filmmaker to make a documentary about it.

Alex Perez, a 23-year-old North Carolina filmmaker, will come to Winnipeg from Dec. 16 to 21 to shoot his documentary.

"Being a fan of Slurpees myself, I found out that Winnipeg was the 'Slurpee capital' and thought that would make a great idea for a film," he said Tuesday. "And it kind of snowballed from there, you could say."

For the record, this is Winnipeg's seventh year in row to earn the honour.

Statistics from 7-Eleven, the convenience store chain that sells the Slurpee brand of beverages, show its Winnipeg stores sell an average of more than 200 Slurpees per day, every day of the year, even in the winter. That makes it the highest sales per capita of any place 7-Eleven does business.

Perez is currently seeking Winnipeg residents "who have interesting, funny, bizarre stories to tell about Slurpees and how they've shaped their lives," according to a message on a MySpace page he has set up for the movie.

He said it has been challenging to uncover the root of the city's love affair with the slushy drinks, but he has heard anecdotes — including one of a "Christmas Slurpee run" — showing how deep that obsession goes.

"Apparently at 7 a.m., they wake up on Christmas morning wearing only pajamas and a blanket and they head to 7-Eleven to get a Slurpee," he said.

"They deliver some presents to the store clerk there, get their Slurpee and then go out Christmas carolling in their neighbourhood. Apparently it's a tradition that's been going on for about 10 years now, and they say they couldn't think of a more Winnipeg way to celebrate Christmas."

As for the makers of the drink, Perez admitted that 7-Eleven has not been overly eager to support his endeavour.

"They've been a little hesitant, or they had been about a month ago. But hopefully they'll turn around and be a little more supportive," he said. "I can't see how this project would shed Slurpees in any kind of negative light."