Yesterday, they announced the line-up for the Kingston Canadian Film Festival.
If you've never been to this local homegrown festival that features movies and special events that "spark curiousity, ignite discussion and provide a fresh experience of Canadian film", you're missing out. It just keeps getting better and better, with screenings in three downtown theatres and other venues with unique live performances.
There are so many things I love about this festival. First, there's the films themselves. If you're like me and want to scream every time you see another Marvel or Avengers sequel or prequel or postquel or whatever they're calling them, the films you'll see at the KCFF are a refreshing change. They'll make you laugh, cry and most of all, think.
Over the years, I've seen some incredible films, from the insightful and stirring Scarborough about three families in a low income neighbourhood in Toronto, to the drama Norbourg, the true life story of Vincent Lacroix who defrauded investors of millions of dollars in Quebec, to lovely romantic comedies like The Swearing Jar.
Then there's the venues and the city itself. The opening night feature film is shown at the Isabel Bader Centre for the performing arts, an amazing venue and The Screening Room in Kingston has done a super job elevating the movie-going experience in an intimate way. The festival is a wonderful excuse to explore downtown Kingston and grab a bite to eat in many of our excellent restaurants.
My favourite part of the festival hands down is the Q&As and guest appearances by the directors, producers, writers and actors. These segments are always fascinating—to see the inner thoughts and workings of the people who bring Canadian film to life and sadly, the barriers and challenges to making films in Canada.
I'll be spending the next few days checking out all the screenings, but here are a few you won't want to miss:
- The Queen of My Dreams: this year's festival opener at the Isabel, a moving story about the complicated bonds between a Pakistani mother and her daughter
- The Movie Man, the story of the Highlands Cinema in Kinmount, Ontario with a bonus short about our local (and now sadly closed) Classic Video store in Kingston
- Float: a romantic comedy filmed in Tofino, BC
- The Sadies Stop and Start concert film, followed by a live performance of the Band at the Broom Factory
This week's #HappyAct is to come to Kingston and support Canadian film by taking in some screenings at the festival.
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