Film festivals provide a chance to see films that are only seen at festivals. A film may never make the big box office opening, but, especially documentaries, still carries a story that needs to be told.
Powell River Film Festival began Tuesday, February 11, with Felix, a film for students and people of all ages at Evergreen Theatre. The main opening gala is Wednesday, February 12, at the Patricia Theatre and film showings take up the following few days until the gala closing event on Saturday evening, February 15, again at the Patricia.
Each year, the festival encourages young filmmakers to hone their craft. It invites the people behind the films to be at the theatre, available for questions. They have backstories on how their films were made and why, what happened along the way, insights into issues, stories of the people in the films, and various other tidbits that can be just as unforgettable as the film itself.
This year, the festival is welcoming Kevin Eastwood, executive producer for Oil Sands Karaoke. Eastwood was born in Vancouver and is a Gemini and Leo award-winning producer and director. He will also be giving a presentation to the 23 students attending Adventures in Film Camp. Oil Sands Karaoke is shown at 1 pm on Saturday, February 15.
Jason DaSilva filmed his own personal journey with multiple sclerosis for When I Walk. His mother Marianne D’Souza and brother Leigh DaSilva will both be in town for the screening at 3 pm Saturday.
Big Trees is a musical set in the style of Don Giovanni, and tells the story of Odile and her apartment’s spectacular ocean view in Vancouver’s West End. Filmmaker Ann Marie Fleming will be at the screening which is just before Gore Vidal: United States of Amnesia at 1:30 pm on Friday, February 14.
The Adventures in Film Camp welcomes 23 students from around BC, including nine local budding filmmakers. The camp lasts over the weekend during which participants work together with a mentor to create an original one-minute piece from start to finish. This includes story concept, film, sound, editing and even animation. It is a wonderful opportunity to take a look at filmmaking as a possible career choice. The film projects are screened at 10:30 am on Sunday, February 16.
Before plans were finalized for the festival, filmmakers were running around submitting their entries for the festival’s 5-Minute Film Contest. This was a contest with two categories, one for people younger than 15 and the other for people between the ages of 15 and 19. All films were judged and the winners invited to participate in the Adventures in Film weekend. The winning entries will be screened on Sunday morning at the Patricia.
With the exception of Felix, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at the Evergreen, all films and galas will take place at the Patricia. On Saturday night food and drink will be available together with music by Jim Dixon on organ, and Devon Hanley will sing, all starting at 7 pm, an hour before the evening’s film.
Before that happens, the opening gala takes place tonight, Wednesday, starting at 7 pm at the Patricia. This is a red carpet affair with local One Voices choir performing. It is a chance to dress up and enjoy the evening while sitting down to watch Gabrielle at 8 pm.
As the festival spans Valentine’s Day, a combination of dinner and movie is offered. To find out more, readers can visit the festival’s website.
The website contains all the details about the films including where to be for what. Individual tickets range from $10 for matinees, $12 for evening performances and $18 for the galas on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Seniors and students pay $8 for matinees and $10 in the evening. Anyone over 60 receives the seniors’ discount. Everyone must also purchase a $5 festival membership, which means the films do not have to be rated, saving the festival society both time and money. Individual tickets and memberships are available at Creative Rift, Breakwater Books and the Patricia, as well as online.
