A trailer has quietly premiered for Canadian sci-fi thriller Radius from co-directors Caroline Labrèche and Steeve Léonard. In the film, a man wakes from a car accident to discover anyone who comes within 50 feet of him dies instantly. Radius is produced by a powerhouse international team with titles like Turbo Kid, Mars et Avril and even the upcoming Hostile between them. Synopsis: Liam wakes from a car crash with no memory of who he is. As he makes his way into town to look for help, he finds only dead bodies, all with strange pale eyes. Liam's first assessment is that a virus is present in the air, but he soon discovers the horrible truth: anyone who comes within a 50-foot radius of him...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 10/10/2017
- Screen Anarchy
“One’s brain needs to dream in order to reboot.”
Mars Et Avril screens March 4th at Schlafly Bottleworks Restaurant and Bar in Maplewood
Danger Diabolik, Tarantula, The Thing With Two Heads – You never know what’s brewing at Webster University’s Strange Brew cult film series. It’s always the first Wednesday evening of every month, and they always come up with some cult classic to show while enjoying some good food and great suds. The fun happens at Schlafly Bottleworks Restaurant and Bar in Maplewood (7260 Southwest Ave.- at Manchester – Maplewood, Mo 63143).
This month (Wednesday March 4th) Strange Brew is offering up something I’ve never heard of….but it sure looks interesting! It’s the 2012 French-Canadian sci-fi mindbender Mars Et Avril
Plot synopsis for Mars Et Avril: As the first human prepares to touch down on Mars, a charismatic Montreal musician enters into a tempestuous love...
Mars Et Avril screens March 4th at Schlafly Bottleworks Restaurant and Bar in Maplewood
Danger Diabolik, Tarantula, The Thing With Two Heads – You never know what’s brewing at Webster University’s Strange Brew cult film series. It’s always the first Wednesday evening of every month, and they always come up with some cult classic to show while enjoying some good food and great suds. The fun happens at Schlafly Bottleworks Restaurant and Bar in Maplewood (7260 Southwest Ave.- at Manchester – Maplewood, Mo 63143).
This month (Wednesday March 4th) Strange Brew is offering up something I’ve never heard of….but it sure looks interesting! It’s the 2012 French-Canadian sci-fi mindbender Mars Et Avril
Plot synopsis for Mars Et Avril: As the first human prepares to touch down on Mars, a charismatic Montreal musician enters into a tempestuous love...
- 2/25/2015
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Following previous announcements of their film lineup, the Fantasia International Film Festival has released their full lineup of movies to be shown at the 18th Annual festival, starting July 17.
New additions to the lineup include 2014 Cannes Selection When Animals Dream, directed by Jonas Alexander Amby and the return of Fantasia’s showcase of animated films, Axis.
Tickets for the festival go on sale starting July 16, and the festival runs through August 5.
View the whole press release of additional announcements below:
Fantasia Celebrates Its 18th Birthday
With Over 160 Feature Films Montreal, Thursday July 10, 2014 – 2014 is the year that Fantasia turns 18. We can’t believe it either. Fantasia’s 18th birthday means over 160 features and something in the neighborhood of 300 shorts, many being shown for the first time on this continent, a good number screening here for the first time anywhere in the world.In addition to being stacked with a multitude of breathtaking debut filmmaker discoveries,...
New additions to the lineup include 2014 Cannes Selection When Animals Dream, directed by Jonas Alexander Amby and the return of Fantasia’s showcase of animated films, Axis.
Tickets for the festival go on sale starting July 16, and the festival runs through August 5.
View the whole press release of additional announcements below:
Fantasia Celebrates Its 18th Birthday
With Over 160 Feature Films Montreal, Thursday July 10, 2014 – 2014 is the year that Fantasia turns 18. We can’t believe it either. Fantasia’s 18th birthday means over 160 features and something in the neighborhood of 300 shorts, many being shown for the first time on this continent, a good number screening here for the first time anywhere in the world.In addition to being stacked with a multitude of breathtaking debut filmmaker discoveries,...
- 7/10/2014
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival, widely acclaimed as one of the largest and most influential genre film festivals in the world, has just announced the Off-Frontières selections of the fourth edition of its Frontières International Co-Production Market.
Read on for a complete listing of all the titles being pitched at the event!
From the Press Release
Following the selection of the official Frontières line-up of film projects for the Frontières International Co-Production Market, another 12 projects have been chosen for the return of the Off-Frontières selection, for the market’s 4th edition.
The Off-Frontières projects line-up features a predominance of Canadian projects, complemented by projects from American, Mexican, Irish, British, French, German and Australian directors and producers. Highlights include the next features by Dario Argento (Suspiria) and by Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky), as well as follow-up features by Fantasia alumni Rob Grant (Mon Ami), Pat Kiely (Who Is Kk Downey?), Kerry Prior...
Read on for a complete listing of all the titles being pitched at the event!
From the Press Release
Following the selection of the official Frontières line-up of film projects for the Frontières International Co-Production Market, another 12 projects have been chosen for the return of the Off-Frontières selection, for the market’s 4th edition.
The Off-Frontières projects line-up features a predominance of Canadian projects, complemented by projects from American, Mexican, Irish, British, French, German and Australian directors and producers. Highlights include the next features by Dario Argento (Suspiria) and by Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky), as well as follow-up features by Fantasia alumni Rob Grant (Mon Ami), Pat Kiely (Who Is Kk Downey?), Kerry Prior...
- 6/17/2014
- by John Squires
- DreadCentral.com
Marina de Van’s horror movie has won the top prize at the 13th Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (Nifff).See below for full list of winners
Dark Touch, a supernatural horror film that centres on an 11-year-old girl, was handed the Hr Giger Narcisse Award for best feature in the international competition, which includes a $10,500 (10000Chf) prize.
The international jury said it “appreciated the original way in which the horror genre was combined with a moralistic fairy tale. The director was able to use the supernatural in order to reach a certain truth that revealed an invisible aspect of reality.”
The film, sold by Wild Bunch, also won the Denis-de-Rougemont Youth Award and Mad Movies Award.
A special mention went to Swiss horror Chimères by Olivier Beguin.
The international jury was headed by French producer François Cognard and comprised Frederike Dellert, Kim Newman, Orson Scott Card and Jean-François Rauger.
The festival...
Dark Touch, a supernatural horror film that centres on an 11-year-old girl, was handed the Hr Giger Narcisse Award for best feature in the international competition, which includes a $10,500 (10000Chf) prize.
The international jury said it “appreciated the original way in which the horror genre was combined with a moralistic fairy tale. The director was able to use the supernatural in order to reach a certain truth that revealed an invisible aspect of reality.”
The film, sold by Wild Bunch, also won the Denis-de-Rougemont Youth Award and Mad Movies Award.
A special mention went to Swiss horror Chimères by Olivier Beguin.
The international jury was headed by French producer François Cognard and comprised Frederike Dellert, Kim Newman, Orson Scott Card and Jean-François Rauger.
The festival...
- 7/15/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
In a time where studios are throwing hundreds of millions of dollars at movies with flash in order to make them hits, Martin Villeneuve has pulled a rabbit out of his hat for less than three. In this situation, the hat is a DVD case and the rabbit is the effects-laden sci-fi marvel of Mars et Avril. Naturally $2.3M still sounds like a lot of money for most indie filmmakers, and on the other side of the block, studios won’t be able to pay the true price that Villeneuve paid — seven years — in order to give birth to this kind of bunny. That all puts Villeneuve and his film in the middle. Not an easy place to be. While it’s played to festivals and scored a March release on iTunes and the aforementioned plastic hat, Mars et Avril is the kind of movie that deserves a lot more attention than it’s gotten — if not...
- 7/1/2013
- by Scott Beggs
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Though it's common knowledge that Martin Villeneuve's Mars et Avril was a labour of love, one that yielded lukewarm reception from our correspondents, both of whom found it to suffer from style over substance syndrome, Villeneuve hasn't spoken much about the challenges of getting such a large scope sci-fi movie made in Canada. There's a reason we don't often see anything of this magnitude: it's expensive and the Canadian film market simply isn't in a place where this sort of movie is feasible yet. But Villeneuve wasn't about to take no for an answer and he set out to make the movie he wanted to make, with some innovative thinking. [Continued ...]...
- 6/10/2013
- QuietEarth.us
Oh, what a wonderful, rich, glorious treat of a film Mars et Avril is. A sci-fi steam-punk romance with a terrific score, it is a delight to the senses. Visually stunning, melodramatic in its storytelling, and unafraid to delve into deep philosophical musings, apparently it's already been released on DVD, and I don't know if it ever had a theatrical release in Canada (though perhaps in Quebec). This is a film that demands to be seen on the big screen, but is by no means an easy watch, in the sense that it does ponder big questions, and asks the spectator to stretch their imagination more than usual. Written and directed by Martin Villeneuve (adapted from his own graphic novels) and set in futuristic Montreal, it...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 5/8/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Bobcat Goldthwait, Buddy Giovinazzo & Joe Dante Among Fantasia Fest’s 2013 Frontieres Co-Prod Market
Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival – it takes place this year between July 18 and August 6 and has always been about more than just the films. They offer plenty of panel discussions and master classes every year, and last year’s edition introduced the Frontières International Co-Production Market, uniting North American, European, and Australasian talent and funders in an initiative focused specifically on fostering genre film productions and relationships. Noteworthy projects from the inaugural edition included new works from seasoned filmmakers such as Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator) and Bruce McDonald (Pontypool), as well as up-and-coming talent like Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (Resolution), Paul Campion (The Devil’s Rock), Jason Eisener (Hobo With a Shotgun), and Jorge Michel Grau (We Are What We Are). At the Fantasia Industry Rendez-Vous – a sort of three-day industry cocktail party – professional introductions were made, and many of the projects found co-producers and/or international sales agents.
- 5/7/2013
- by Jason Widgington
- IONCINEMA.com
Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival, widely acclaimed as one of the largest and most influential genre film festivals in the world, is proud to announce the official selections of the second edition of its Frontières International Co-Production Market.
Frontières is the first and only international co-production market to connect North America with Europe, in an environment focused specifically on genre film production. It was just announced last week that Frontières will become a circuit in-between Fantasia, in July, and the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, in April. This initiative was made possible by funding from the Media Mundus program of the European Commission. Frontières was the only new initiative to be funded by the program this year.
The projects to be presented in the market feature an exciting array of filmmakers, from gifted newcomers to world-renowned maestros, coupled with numerous established international producers. The second edition of the Frontières International...
Frontières is the first and only international co-production market to connect North America with Europe, in an environment focused specifically on genre film production. It was just announced last week that Frontières will become a circuit in-between Fantasia, in July, and the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, in April. This initiative was made possible by funding from the Media Mundus program of the European Commission. Frontières was the only new initiative to be funded by the program this year.
The projects to be presented in the market feature an exciting array of filmmakers, from gifted newcomers to world-renowned maestros, coupled with numerous established international producers. The second edition of the Frontières International...
- 5/7/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
For the unfamiliar, Montreal is a city which hosts at least one film festival each and every month of the year. Of the dozens of fests, Fantasia Film Festival is without a doubt our favourite, and is widely acclaimed as one of the largest and most influential genre film festivals in the world. They’ve just announced the official selection of the second edition of its Frontières International Co-Production Market, and the slate is looking good. Frontières is the first and only international co-production market to connect North America with Europe, in an environment focused specifically on genre film production. The projects to be presented in the market feature an exciting array of filmmakers, from gifted newcomers to world-renowned maestros, coupled with numerous established international producers. The selection of the second edition of the Frontières International Co-Production Market will consist of the following 12 projects:
Casting the Runes (Canada / Germany / USA)
Director: Joe Dante (The Hole,...
Casting the Runes (Canada / Germany / USA)
Director: Joe Dante (The Hole,...
- 5/7/2013
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Terence Stamp | Southend Film Festival | Sci-Fi London | Rooftop Film Club
Terence Stamp, London
His beauty is often admired before his acting skills, but while the former has faded somewhat the latter survives, at least when Stamp isn't topping up the retirement fund with another offhand baddie role. Those dodgier movies have thankfully been omitted from this selective retrospective (don't worry, Superman II is still in there). He lit up the screen, and the 1960s, with early films such as Billy Budd, The Collector, Far From The Madding Crowd, Poor Cow and Theorem, then took an extended break in an Indian ashram. Since his return to the day job, he's reminded us what he can do, in The Hit, The Adventures Of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, even last year's Song For Marion. He's a terrific writer and talker, too, which should make his on-stage interview (8 May) a hot ticket.
BFI Southbank,...
Terence Stamp, London
His beauty is often admired before his acting skills, but while the former has faded somewhat the latter survives, at least when Stamp isn't topping up the retirement fund with another offhand baddie role. Those dodgier movies have thankfully been omitted from this selective retrospective (don't worry, Superman II is still in there). He lit up the screen, and the 1960s, with early films such as Billy Budd, The Collector, Far From The Madding Crowd, Poor Cow and Theorem, then took an extended break in an Indian ashram. Since his return to the day job, he's reminded us what he can do, in The Hit, The Adventures Of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, even last year's Song For Marion. He's a terrific writer and talker, too, which should make his on-stage interview (8 May) a hot ticket.
BFI Southbank,...
- 4/27/2013
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
The 12th annual Whistler Film Festival , attracted more A-list talent and more deal-makers than previous years. The respected British stage and film actor Daniel Radcliffe discussed his upcoming films (Kill Your Darlings, The F Word, Horns) and return to London’s west stage during a special Spotlight on Daniel Radcliffe hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos.
Actor and screenwriter Rashida Jones was recognized for her talents in front and behind the camera with Wff’s Trailblazer Award For Acting and Scriptwriting. Writer and actor Will McCormack was also in attendance for the screening of Celeste and Jesse Forever, which he co-wrote and acts in. Both Jones and McCormack, who were among Variety’S 10 Screenwriter To Watch class in 2011, also received Variety’S One To Watch honor, which was announced at the festival.
Variety’s Steven Gaydos presented Melissa Rosenberg with the publication’s Billion Dollar Screenwriter Award for her impressive accomplishments with the Twilight Saga films. Five out of Variety’S 10 Screenwriters To Watch were in Whistler to receive recognition: Katie Dippold (The Heat); Patrick Aison (Wunderkind); Reid Carolin (Magic Mike); Scott Rothman (Draft Day); and Ted Melfi (St Vincent De Van Nuys).
Other stars gracing the Wff red carpet included James Cromwell (Still), Gil Bellows (Mad Ship), Rachelle Lefevre (Borsos juror and actress in Omerta which screened at Wff), musician Bruce Cockburn (featured in Bruce Cockburn Pacing The Cage), Kristanna Loken (Love Orchard), Caroline Dhavernas (Mars Et Avril), Helen Shaver (Borsos juror), Liane Balaban (Borsos juror), Katherine Isabelle (American Mary), and Emily Hampshire (My Awkward Sexual Adventure).
The Wff Audience Award went Sean Garrity’s My Awkward Sexual Adventure, which was one of eight contenders in the Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature. The Wff Audience Award runner up went to Hit ‘N Strum, Kirk Caouette’s charming Vancouver street movie which was presented in the new Discoveries program. The Wff Audience Award is a non-cash prize presented to the highest-rated film as voted by the audience.
“This year marks yet another milestone for us. We have been embraced by China, adopted by Variety, and partnered with Bell Media, and we surpassed all expectations in terms of our targets. We have 12 years of experience behind us, and we have several promising initiatives on the horizon,” commented Wff Founder and Executive Director Shauna Hardy Mishaw. “Not only have we become a desired place for filmmakers to present their films, we have become an essential place for the industry to meet and do business with both established and emerging filmmakers, and that is what makes Whistler a filmmakers’ festival. I can honestly say with my hand on my heart that this was the best fest yet!”
The Wff Programming Team under the direction of Director of Programming Paul Gratton assembled a program that was broader and more eclectic than in years past. New strands included American Indies, Discoveries, Late Night TerrorFest and Gkids Animation Showcase. Certain films from these strands, such as Vancouver-made American Mary, the French animated film The Painting, It'S A Disaster and Bruce Cockbrun Pacing The Cage created major buzz and word-of-mouth amongst festival-goers. Canadian films were prominently featured throughout the fest with a number of World Premieres such as Mad Ship, the closing night film The Sheepdogs Have At It and the World Documentary winner Status Quo?. Over all, the festival had something for everyone.
"In what was hoped to be a transformative year for Wff, audiences and critics alike seem to have responded extremely well to such innovations as repeat screenings, press and industry screenings, new programming strands and the very successful China Canada Gateway for Film Script Competition,” says Paul Gratton, Wff’s Director of Programming. “Business was done, audiences were enthusiastic and the many celebrities that graced our presence, from Daniel Radcliffe and Rashida Jones to Bruce Cockburn and James Cromwell, all gave us very positive feedback on the warm Whistler welcome they received. We are all looking forward to building on this year’s momentum and an even greater Wff in 2013.”
Whistler Film Festival screenings were organized in 9 categories: Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature; World Documentary; World Now; Mountain Culture; and ShortWork as well as the newly added American Indies; Discoveries, Late Night TerrorFest and Gkids Animation Showcase. Five Special Presentation screenings and a Programmer’s Surprise, Samsara, rounded out this year’s diverse lineup.
Several of the feature films were at or near capacity and included Still, My Awkward Sexual Adventure, Bruce Cockburn Pacing The Cage, Love, Marilyn, Bird Co Media, Anna Karenina, American Mary, The Movie Out Here, Karakara, Hit ’N Strum, The Mountain Runners, and Few Words. Total attendance, including industry insiders, was at 9,964 attendees, a 20% increase over 2011 (8,270 in 2011), including 556 delegates (a 10% increase compared to 506 in 2011). Box office was up 37% over 2011.
The Whistler Film Festival celebrated its 12th edition as one of Canada's leading festivals from November 28 to December 2. It showcased 78 films consisting of 44 features and 34 shorts on five screens in four theatres over five amazing days including 6 World Premieres, 1 North American Premiere, 8 Canadian Premieres, 5 English Canadian Premieres, 15 Western Canadian Premieres, 4 British Columbian Premieres, and 3 Whistler Premieres. 51 percent of the films presented were Canadian. Films from 18 countries were screened: Canada, UK, USA, France, China, India, Iran, Japan, Netherlands, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Vietnam, Slovakia, Colombia, Poland, Palestine and Australia.
The Festival continued to support cinematic excellence and awarded up to $31,500 in cash prizes and commissions. Picture Day, by first time feature director Kate Melville, won the coveted $15,000 Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature. The$1,000 Canadian ShortWork Award went to Requiem For Romance, directed by Jonathan Ng. The $500 ShortWork Student Award went to Plating by Sfu student Jon Thomas. The Mppia Short Film Award was won by Jon Ornoy for True Love Waits. Presented by Mppia and British Columbia Film + Media, the award consists of a $15,000 cash award plus up to $100,000 in production services.
Whistler Film Festival announced three Canadian film projects that will move into development with Chinese production financing. There were several other deal discussions that began at the Festival both with China and other international investors.
With a focus on the changing media landscape and designed to facilitate international alliances and financial partnerships, the Whistler Summit, Wff’s industry forum, focused on filmmaking in the digital age presenting 15 interactive sessions that addressed a range of issues affecting the film, television and digital media industry. Sessions were complimented by networking opportunities including one-on-one meetings, roundtable information sessions and receptions.
Overall, the industry Summit was at 82% capacity. In addition to the scheduled meetings that took place during the Summit, there was again a notable increase in unscheduled meetings that took place outside of scheduled blocks proving the festival remains an important place for the industry to meet and do business. Industry guests came from the USA and Canada to participate, and delegate representation was from the USA, China, UK, Norway, Japan, Korea and Canada.
A team of 143 volunteers contributed over 1500 hours of time to support the festival’s success.
For information, go to whistlerfilmfestival.com
The Whistler Film Festival is supported by Telefilm Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Tourism Whistler, and is sponsored by Bell Media, Variety, the Directors Guild of Canada - British Columbia, American Airlines, Sorel, Kokanee, Zoom Audio Visual Networks, Christie Digital, Glacier Media Group, Whistler Blackcomb and the Westin Resort & Spa Whistler.
The Whistler Film Festival Society (Wffs) is a cultural charitable organization dedicated to furthering the art of film by providing programs that focus on the discovery, development and promotion of new talent culminating with a must attend festival for artists, the industry and audiences in Whistler. Wffs produces one of Canada’s leading film festivals and plays a leadership role in offering professional and project development programs for filmmakers.
Whistler is Canada’s premier, year-round destination located in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, and just two hours north of Vancouver. Consistently ranked the number one mountain resort in North America, Whistler features two majestic mountains, epic skiing and snowboarding conditions, four championship golf courses, more than 200 shops, 90 restaurants and bars, accommodations galore, hiking trails, spas and arguably the best mountain bike park in the world. In short, Whistler has everything you will ever need to have the time of your life - and so much more.
Actor and screenwriter Rashida Jones was recognized for her talents in front and behind the camera with Wff’s Trailblazer Award For Acting and Scriptwriting. Writer and actor Will McCormack was also in attendance for the screening of Celeste and Jesse Forever, which he co-wrote and acts in. Both Jones and McCormack, who were among Variety’S 10 Screenwriter To Watch class in 2011, also received Variety’S One To Watch honor, which was announced at the festival.
Variety’s Steven Gaydos presented Melissa Rosenberg with the publication’s Billion Dollar Screenwriter Award for her impressive accomplishments with the Twilight Saga films. Five out of Variety’S 10 Screenwriters To Watch were in Whistler to receive recognition: Katie Dippold (The Heat); Patrick Aison (Wunderkind); Reid Carolin (Magic Mike); Scott Rothman (Draft Day); and Ted Melfi (St Vincent De Van Nuys).
Other stars gracing the Wff red carpet included James Cromwell (Still), Gil Bellows (Mad Ship), Rachelle Lefevre (Borsos juror and actress in Omerta which screened at Wff), musician Bruce Cockburn (featured in Bruce Cockburn Pacing The Cage), Kristanna Loken (Love Orchard), Caroline Dhavernas (Mars Et Avril), Helen Shaver (Borsos juror), Liane Balaban (Borsos juror), Katherine Isabelle (American Mary), and Emily Hampshire (My Awkward Sexual Adventure).
The Wff Audience Award went Sean Garrity’s My Awkward Sexual Adventure, which was one of eight contenders in the Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature. The Wff Audience Award runner up went to Hit ‘N Strum, Kirk Caouette’s charming Vancouver street movie which was presented in the new Discoveries program. The Wff Audience Award is a non-cash prize presented to the highest-rated film as voted by the audience.
“This year marks yet another milestone for us. We have been embraced by China, adopted by Variety, and partnered with Bell Media, and we surpassed all expectations in terms of our targets. We have 12 years of experience behind us, and we have several promising initiatives on the horizon,” commented Wff Founder and Executive Director Shauna Hardy Mishaw. “Not only have we become a desired place for filmmakers to present their films, we have become an essential place for the industry to meet and do business with both established and emerging filmmakers, and that is what makes Whistler a filmmakers’ festival. I can honestly say with my hand on my heart that this was the best fest yet!”
The Wff Programming Team under the direction of Director of Programming Paul Gratton assembled a program that was broader and more eclectic than in years past. New strands included American Indies, Discoveries, Late Night TerrorFest and Gkids Animation Showcase. Certain films from these strands, such as Vancouver-made American Mary, the French animated film The Painting, It'S A Disaster and Bruce Cockbrun Pacing The Cage created major buzz and word-of-mouth amongst festival-goers. Canadian films were prominently featured throughout the fest with a number of World Premieres such as Mad Ship, the closing night film The Sheepdogs Have At It and the World Documentary winner Status Quo?. Over all, the festival had something for everyone.
"In what was hoped to be a transformative year for Wff, audiences and critics alike seem to have responded extremely well to such innovations as repeat screenings, press and industry screenings, new programming strands and the very successful China Canada Gateway for Film Script Competition,” says Paul Gratton, Wff’s Director of Programming. “Business was done, audiences were enthusiastic and the many celebrities that graced our presence, from Daniel Radcliffe and Rashida Jones to Bruce Cockburn and James Cromwell, all gave us very positive feedback on the warm Whistler welcome they received. We are all looking forward to building on this year’s momentum and an even greater Wff in 2013.”
Whistler Film Festival screenings were organized in 9 categories: Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature; World Documentary; World Now; Mountain Culture; and ShortWork as well as the newly added American Indies; Discoveries, Late Night TerrorFest and Gkids Animation Showcase. Five Special Presentation screenings and a Programmer’s Surprise, Samsara, rounded out this year’s diverse lineup.
Several of the feature films were at or near capacity and included Still, My Awkward Sexual Adventure, Bruce Cockburn Pacing The Cage, Love, Marilyn, Bird Co Media, Anna Karenina, American Mary, The Movie Out Here, Karakara, Hit ’N Strum, The Mountain Runners, and Few Words. Total attendance, including industry insiders, was at 9,964 attendees, a 20% increase over 2011 (8,270 in 2011), including 556 delegates (a 10% increase compared to 506 in 2011). Box office was up 37% over 2011.
The Whistler Film Festival celebrated its 12th edition as one of Canada's leading festivals from November 28 to December 2. It showcased 78 films consisting of 44 features and 34 shorts on five screens in four theatres over five amazing days including 6 World Premieres, 1 North American Premiere, 8 Canadian Premieres, 5 English Canadian Premieres, 15 Western Canadian Premieres, 4 British Columbian Premieres, and 3 Whistler Premieres. 51 percent of the films presented were Canadian. Films from 18 countries were screened: Canada, UK, USA, France, China, India, Iran, Japan, Netherlands, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Vietnam, Slovakia, Colombia, Poland, Palestine and Australia.
The Festival continued to support cinematic excellence and awarded up to $31,500 in cash prizes and commissions. Picture Day, by first time feature director Kate Melville, won the coveted $15,000 Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature. The$1,000 Canadian ShortWork Award went to Requiem For Romance, directed by Jonathan Ng. The $500 ShortWork Student Award went to Plating by Sfu student Jon Thomas. The Mppia Short Film Award was won by Jon Ornoy for True Love Waits. Presented by Mppia and British Columbia Film + Media, the award consists of a $15,000 cash award plus up to $100,000 in production services.
Whistler Film Festival announced three Canadian film projects that will move into development with Chinese production financing. There were several other deal discussions that began at the Festival both with China and other international investors.
With a focus on the changing media landscape and designed to facilitate international alliances and financial partnerships, the Whistler Summit, Wff’s industry forum, focused on filmmaking in the digital age presenting 15 interactive sessions that addressed a range of issues affecting the film, television and digital media industry. Sessions were complimented by networking opportunities including one-on-one meetings, roundtable information sessions and receptions.
Overall, the industry Summit was at 82% capacity. In addition to the scheduled meetings that took place during the Summit, there was again a notable increase in unscheduled meetings that took place outside of scheduled blocks proving the festival remains an important place for the industry to meet and do business. Industry guests came from the USA and Canada to participate, and delegate representation was from the USA, China, UK, Norway, Japan, Korea and Canada.
A team of 143 volunteers contributed over 1500 hours of time to support the festival’s success.
For information, go to whistlerfilmfestival.com
The Whistler Film Festival is supported by Telefilm Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Tourism Whistler, and is sponsored by Bell Media, Variety, the Directors Guild of Canada - British Columbia, American Airlines, Sorel, Kokanee, Zoom Audio Visual Networks, Christie Digital, Glacier Media Group, Whistler Blackcomb and the Westin Resort & Spa Whistler.
The Whistler Film Festival Society (Wffs) is a cultural charitable organization dedicated to furthering the art of film by providing programs that focus on the discovery, development and promotion of new talent culminating with a must attend festival for artists, the industry and audiences in Whistler. Wffs produces one of Canada’s leading film festivals and plays a leadership role in offering professional and project development programs for filmmakers.
Whistler is Canada’s premier, year-round destination located in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, and just two hours north of Vancouver. Consistently ranked the number one mountain resort in North America, Whistler features two majestic mountains, epic skiing and snowboarding conditions, four championship golf courses, more than 200 shops, 90 restaurants and bars, accommodations galore, hiking trails, spas and arguably the best mountain bike park in the world. In short, Whistler has everything you will ever need to have the time of your life - and so much more.
- 12/6/2012
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
Mars et Avril Trailer. Martin Villeneuve‘s Mars et Avril (2012) movie trailer stars Caroline Dhavernas, Jacques Languirand, Robert Lepage, Jean Asselin, and Paul Ahmarani. Mars et Avril‘s plot synopsis: “Mars et Avril takes place in a Montreal of the future when humanity is ready to move to Mars. But, not everyone is ready to go. Jacob Obus, a charismatic and beloved septuagenarian, leader of the anti-cybernetic movement, takes pride in slowing down time. He plays captivating music on instruments inspired by women’s bodies and designed by his friend, Arthur.
It’s when Jacob and Arthur are smitten by Avril, a young and short-winded photographer, that the true nature of the old sex symbol is revealed. After making love for the first time in his life, Jacob is ready to leave for Mars in search of his muse. In the midst of everything arrives Eugène Spaak, inventor, cosmologist and Arthur’s father,...
It’s when Jacob and Arthur are smitten by Avril, a young and short-winded photographer, that the true nature of the old sex symbol is revealed. After making love for the first time in his life, Jacob is ready to leave for Mars in search of his muse. In the midst of everything arrives Eugène Spaak, inventor, cosmologist and Arthur’s father,...
- 12/22/2011
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
The first trailer for Martin - yes, the brother of Denis - Villeneuve's upcoming Canadian science fiction offering Mars Et Avril is a textbook example of the sort of film that can only exist within an industry driven by government subsidies. Whether this is a good or bad thing is entirely a matter of personal taste.Mars et Avril is quite possibly the first Québécois film set in a Montreal of the future. As Man is about to set foot on Mars, a small community of anticybernetics is busy trying to slow down time. Among them is Jacob Obus (Jacques Languirand), an emblematic and beloved septuagenarian who creates captivating music on instruments inspired by the female body, designed by his friend Arthur (Paul Ahmarani). Once...
- 12/22/2011
- Screen Anarchy
Mars et Avril is a striking new Canadian science fiction film, currently in post-production. The feature film about a future where people are emigrating to Mars is based on the graphic novels of the same name and is written, produced and directed by newcomer Martin Villeneuve who was kind enough to pass along some stills from his film and give us an update on where production's at... and if you're wondering why the film looks so visually interesting, it's because Belgian comic book artist François Schuiten, who has worked on film's such as Golden Compass and Mr. Nobody) is on production design duties.
To get the world of Mars et Avril just right, the film was shot almost entirely on green screen and with a budget of $2 million - a decent size for a Canadian production - Villeneuve was actually able to do the technique justice.
Synopsis:
Mars et Avril...
To get the world of Mars et Avril just right, the film was shot almost entirely on green screen and with a budget of $2 million - a decent size for a Canadian production - Villeneuve was actually able to do the technique justice.
Synopsis:
Mars et Avril...
- 4/4/2011
- QuietEarth.us
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