In addition to bringing a diverse selection of films from around the world, the 17th annual Powell River Film Festival will feature several collaborations between local artists and musicians.
“What we’ve been doing in the last couple of years is giving an opportunity for local performers to perform live before a screening,” said festival executive director Gary Shilling. “We have a number of interesting pairings.”
The festival offers an opportunity for the community to experience not only local art, but also a global smorgasbord of films.
“Part of the joy and challenge of living in an isolated community is unless someone puts their mind to enriching the offerings out there it can get pretty vanilla,” said festival treasurer and venue host Ann Nelson, co-owner of the Patricia Theatre. Nelson added that she believes offerings at this year’s festival will be “anything but vanilla.”
The party preceding the festival’s opening film, The Florida Project, will feature music by local band SoSiDo.
“They’re a quirky band and they do fiddle music; I call it down-home music,” said Shilling.
Shut Up and Say Something, a documentary from international spoken-word artist Shane Koyczan, who performed during the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Vancouver, will have the director Melanie Wood in attendance.
A live poetry slam featuring local poets and hosted by Powell River Public Library will take place before the film screens.
A screening of the film Amplify Her, about female DJs and their rise and influence, will be followed by a late-night DJ performance by local artist Autumn Skye Morrison.
“I call her Powell River’s creative beacon,” said Shilling. “She also has an alter ego; she calls herself DJ Skyelight.”
The closing party will also be a celebration of local talent, said Shilling.
Kayak to Klemtu, from indigenous director Zoe Hopkins, was partly produced in Powell River. In addition to starring Tla’amin Nation’s Ta’Kaiya Blaney and Evan Adams, the production of the film engaged Powell River crews and students.
Blaney will perform her music with her long-time accompanying guitarist Aaron Ross before the film, said Shilling. Advance tickets for this event are already sold out, however some rush seating will be available at the screening.
Nelson said the collaborations between local artists provide another opportunity to remind the community The Patricia Theatre has always been about entertainment.
“It is not just cinema,” said Nelson. “It was built as a vaudeville and cinema house and it has done everything.”
For the first time, the film festival will show a film installation in an art gallery setting. The Art Centre above Powell River Public Library will host the exhibitions by local artists Theo Angell and Peg Campbell on Monday, February 12.
Shilling said he believes performances involving locals provides something for everyone who attends the festival.
It’s not just about films,” said Shilling. “It’s about people; it’s about community.”
The festival runs from February 12 to 18. For schedule information and times, go to prfilmfestival.ca.
