Proud to celebrate - Whistler Creative

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Book + Maga-zine Publishing

Interactive + Digital Media

Motion Picture including Ani-mation + Visual Effects

Music + Sound Recording

creativebc.com

Proud to celebrate British Columbia’s creative industries as a sponsor of the Whistler Film Festival

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TELEFILM.CA

SEE BIGGERCANADIAN TALENT SHINES BRIGHT ON THE WORLD STAGE. TELEFILM CANADA IS PROUD TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE HOMEGROWN SUCCESS.

7 OUR STORY

9 RECOGNITION

15 BOARD WELCOME

17 GREETINGS

23 MEET TEAM WFF

25 FILM AWARDS & JURIES

31 BORSOS COMPETITION & JURY

33 SIGNATURE SERIES: ARTIST TRIBUTE

35 SIGNATURE SERIES: SPOTLIGHT

37 SIGNATURE SERIES: SPOTLIGHT

39 STARS TO WATCH

41 OPENING FILM

42 CLOSING FILMS

45 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

50 SPOTLIGHT FILMS

52 AMERICAN INDIES

54 CANADIAN VANGUARD

58 DISCOVERIES

62 DOC BLOC

64 SCHEDULE

68 NEW VOICES

72 FROM OVERSEAS

77 MOUNTAIN CULTURE

81 FROM THE VAULT

82 WORLD PREMIERES

85 SHORTWORK

94 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

97 EVENTS

100 CONTENT SUMMIT

110 TALENT PROGRAMS

117 BOX OFFICE INFORMATION

118 HOW TO FESTIVAL

119 FESTIVAL MAP

123 PRINT SOURCES

125 FILM INDEX

127 HOSPITALITY PARTNERS

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WHO’S HEREWHO’S HERE

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7

OUR STORY

The Whistler Film Festival Society (WFF) is a charitable, non-profit organization (856677844RR001) incorporated under the British Co-lumbia Society Act dedicated to advancing the art and business of film by providing programs that focus on the discovery, develop-ment and promotion of talent culminating with a must attend festival for artists, the industry and audiences in Whistler.

WFF fulfills its mission through producing: • A highly respected and recognized 5-day international film festival (WFF) and 3-day Content Summit that draw industry, audi-

ences and global exposure for Canadian talent;• Supplemental year-round film and event programming that enriches community life beyond the festival; • Market-driven, domestic talent development and promotion programs with proven impact; and• Film and talent programming that nurtures gender parity, inclusivity and diversity.

What began in 2001 as a vision to put a renowned ski resort on the map for world-class arts and culture has evolved to advancing and connecting the art and business of film, and priming Canadian talent for global success.

Renowned as ‘Canada’s coolest film fest’, the Whistler Film Festival has become the Canadian film industry’s liveliest gathering out-side of TIFF and was recently recognized as “one of the top seven film festivals in the world to attend” and “one of ten of the most amazing film festivals worth attending” in North America, and is one of Whistler’s signature cultural events. WFF’s continued ability to generate buzz is no doubt aided by its proximity to the prosperous entertainment industries of both Vancouver and LA, its timely scheduling on the cusp of awards season and ultimately, its smart, savvy programming and ‘edgy and cool’ vibe.

2019 marks the 19th edition of the Whistler Film Festival. For 5 days, over 14,000 film fans and filmmakers will come together to be in-spired by and connect to stories that matter. From the hottest indies to award season fare, Whistler will be a hotbed of discovery and talent, and an essential destination for industry to connect, and for Canadian talent to advance their projects and craft.

WFF’s’ cultural strength, artistic calibre, industry value and impact are backed by key metrics and results that substantiate it’s an invaluable BC asset with significant annual recurring economic, cultural, social impact and growth potential. WFF remains a high-light on the annual calendar, and a major contributor to the economic and cultural success of Whistler and the province. This was validated by the 2018 Nordicity Report, which confirmed that WFF and our Talent Programs generated $24.6 million GDP, $6.2 million in tax revenue and 390 jobs.

For 19 years, the Whistler Film Festival has been proudly producing unique programs and experiences, and inspiring and connecting stories that matter. What our future holds remains to be seen. Here’s to the power of film, the moving image and the doors it opens, and the storytellers who make it happen!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE WFF is sincerely grateful to the following individuals and companies who have generously committed to our annual fundraising campaign which helps to support our programs throughout the year.

Angela Perzow & Chris Pelz

Ann Chiasson, Remax

Canadian Media Producers Association, British Columbia

David Hardy

Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia

Don Thompson / Finale Post

Kelly & Louis-Vincent Gave

Liz Dunn

Nesters Holdings

Remax Sea to Sky Real Estate

Roland & Catherine Haebler

Shawn Williamson / Brightlight Pictures

Tourism Whistler

UBCP / ACTRA

Whistler Blackcomb

STAY CONNECTED AT STRAIGHT.COM

Vancouver's leading arts source.

Proud Media PartnerWhistler Film Festival 2019

9

FESTIVAL SPONSORS

The Whistler Film Festival gratefully acknowledges our supporters!

Major Sponsors

Major Supporters

Silver Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

We acknowledge the fi nancial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.

10

USE PROMO CODE WFF-PT25 AND SAVE OVER $200 IF YOU REGISTER BY DECEMBER 11!

Preferred Accommodation Partners

Friends of the Festival

Venue Partners

Bronze Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors

Industry Program Partners Technical Suppliers

WIDC Women In the Director’s Chair

Festival Accommodation Partners

Media Partners

FESTIVAL SPONSORS

USE PROMO CODE WFF-PT25 AND SAVE OVER $200 IF YOU REGISTER BY DECEMBER 11!

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL AND HOST OF THE 2019 FILMMAKER BREAKFAST

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A Winter’s Tale - December 4 Starring Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh

Starring Sally Field and Bill Pullman

The Nutcracker - December 15

All My Sons - January 18

FIND OUT MOREDates indicated are first performances.

For tickets and participating theatres, visit Cineplex.com/Events.

@CineplexEvents

SPECIALTY FILMS & EVENTSCLASSICS | OPERA | THEATRE | DANCE | MUSIC | INDIE FILMS

15

BOARD WELCOME

FOUNDERS

Shauna Hardy Mishaw Kasi Lubin

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ann Chiasson (Chair)Daniel CruzKendrie UptonNathaniel LymanRoger Soane (Vice-Chair)Saad Hasan (Treasurer)Shauna Hardy MishawSue Brouse (Secretary)Sue Chappel

FORMER BOARD MEMBERS

Arthur EvrenselBill ThummBryant PikeCarl BessaiDon ThompsonElizabeth YakeHarry SutherlandJeff YoungJohn RaeLynne StopkewichMorgan GabareauMichael GhentNeal ClaranceRob EganRon HrynuikSacha McLeanShawn WilliamsonSlawko KlymkiwTerry SalmanTrish DolmanWarren Franklin

Welcome to the 19th edition of the Whistler Film Festival and what promises to be an action packed five days.

Whistler has certainly come of age culturally over the past few years, and the Whistler Film Festival remains a highlight on the annual calendar, and a major con-tributor to the economic and cultural success of the resort.

Our vision as we work towards our 20th anniversary in 2020 is to continue to en-hance the Whistler Film Festival, and expand our 365 programming and Talent Pro-grams to take WFF to the next level, with the end goal being the formation of an institute that offers year round training for content creators and media enthusiasts.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we sincerely thank the filmmakers, film fans, industry partners, supporters, sponsors, staff and volunteers who give so much to the experience at this Festival. We hope you will continue to bring your passion for story to Whistler and help us continue to work towards achieving the vision of the Whistler Film Festival well into the future.

We also want to thank all of our Whistler supporters including the Resort Municipal-ity of Whistler, Tourism Whistler, our accommodation, hospitality and venue part-ners, our local suppliers and supporters, and the community for their continued support of the Festival.

To ensure the long term success of WFF, our programs and artists that we serve, we will continue to need your support. Our Patrons Circle and donation campaigns provide an opportunity to contribute towards our programs and to help us build our Legacy Fund for our future. We hope we can count on your continued support of these initiatives as we set our course towards our future and achieving our vision.

It truly takes a village to make WFF happen. Thank you for being part of ours.

Ann Chiasson

Chair

CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

17

FESTIVAL DIRECTORS WELCOME

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY PROGRAMMING

Welcome to the 19th edition of the Whistler Film Festival!

Selected from over 800 submissions, festival goers can look forward to 86 fresh films, comprising of 43 features and 43 shorts from 15 coun-tries in 96 screenings, with over 200 of the filmmakers confirmed to attend. From award season fare to quality Canadian and international content, over half of the feature offerings are being presented for the first time in Canada as World, North American and Canadian premieres, marking a milestone for our festival.

We pride ourselves on supporting emerging talent, which is reflected by the inclusion of 11 first-time feature films, 14 feature films and 21 shorts directed by women or non-binary individuals, and 67% of the program premiering Canadian features – more than any other Cana-dian film festival this year with 74% of the shorts also being Canadian. Films in competition will compete for 15 film awards and $146,500 in cash and prizes ($31,500 cash and $115,000 in prizes) from juries comprised of leading cinematic talent.

Highlights include LIBERTE: A CALL TO SPY, an exciting studio-type film that is rarely made anymore to the Canadian premieres of LO-CUSTS, a thrilling film noir shot in the Australian outback, CABARETE, a touching story of an aspiring kite-surfing competitor shot in the Dominican Republic, and LOOKING FOR SUNSHINE, a biodoc on Olympic skier Lara Gut, and many others. Beyond the premieres, gems include the first Canadian film festival screening of Martin Scorsese’s THE IRISHMAN, a rare screening of the highest grossing and by far the funniest Canadian film of the year COMPULSIVE LIAR (MENTEUR), the World Premiere of the new colour-corrected digitally-restored Phillip Borsos classic THE GREY FOX, and alumna Sophie Desrape’s ANTIGONE, voted Best Canadian Film at TIFF and Canada’s entry into this year’s International Film Oscar category.

We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on a trio of top talent including actors Simon Pegg, whose film LOST TRANSMISSIONS will open the fest with its Canadian Premiere and will receive the Maverick Award, Joseph Pantoliano, who is attending with the Western Canadian Premiere of FROM THE VINE and will receive a Career Achievement Award, and Chelsea Peretti, who is attending with her feature film debut in the World Premiere of SPINSTER, and will receive the Trailblazer Award.

Boasting more than 30 industry sessions over three days, WFF’s Content Summit features established industry leaders and creators, who will provide practical intel and creative inspiration about the business and future of film, and the ever-changing landscape of content creation in the digital age. Attendees will gain valuable insights and connections through meetings, pitches, high-level keynote presentations and sessions on topics that range from finance, marketing, distribution, gender and inclusion to co-production and cinematography.

With nurturing talent being at the heart of the festival, we present 10 talent programs supported by over 30 faculty for 54 Canadian artists including screenwriters, producers, directors and actors, to advance their craft and projects leading up to and during the Whistler Film Festival and Content Summit.

There is no doubt that the moving image will remain one of the greatest stimulators of thought, awareness and prominence well into the fore-seeable future. Its relevance in the digital age is even more significant. As our role in this world changes and evolves, WFF remains committed to cultivating diverse cultural experiences that unite people through cinema, and to discovering, developing and promoting Canadian talent as we celebrate film as art, support it as an essential business, and fostering a vibrant community of film lovers.

So, let the festivities begin. Discover for yourself what makes WFF ‘Canada’s coolest film fest’.

Shauna Hardy Mishaw Paul Gratton Angela HeckExecutive Director Director of Film Programming Director of Industry Programming

18

GREETINGS

PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

Dear Friends:

I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone at-tending the 2019 Whistler Film Festival.

This event offers a wonderful opportunity for filmmakers, indus-try professionals and fans to share their passion for movies and storytelling. I am certain that everyone in attendance will be entertained and inspired by the films being presented this year.

I would like to congratulate the artists participating in this fes-tival for their efforts to bring their talent and creativity to the screen. I would also like to commend the organizers for their commitment to supporting and promoting Canadian cinema.

Your hard work ensures that the Whistler Film Festival is a re-sounding success, year after year.

Please accept my best wishes for a memorable event.

Sincerely,

The Rt. Hon. Justin P.J. Trudeau, P.C., M.P.Prime Minister of Canada

PREMIER OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

As Premier of the Province of British Columbia, it gives me great pleasure to welcome everyone to the beautiful community of Whistler for the 19th edition of the acclaimed Whistler Film Festival.

This brilliant five-day event brings together the very best that our province has to offer in celebration of new and innovative films. This powerful medium has the capacity to provide a mirror to better understand ourselves and our communities. The Whistler Film Festival continues to play a vital role in cultivating diverse cultural experiences, connecting not only the people of British Columbia, but those all over the world, while promoting British Columbiaís thriving film industry in the process.

I would like to commend the Whistler Film Festival Society and all those involved in organizing this epic event. The time, energy, dedication, and hard work that goes into planning something of this magnitude is admirable and the contribution it makes to BCís entertainment, business, and tourism industries is to be applauded.

Please enjoy all of the fresh films, special guests, epic events, and programs this festival has to offer. Have a wonderful festival!

Honourable John HorgamPremier of British Columbia

A MESSAGE FROM

PREMIER JOHN HORGAN

As Premier of the Province of British Columbia, it is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the 17th edition of the renowned Whistler Film Festival (WFF) here in North America’s premiere mountain resort. Culture plays an integral role in reflecting back to us the conditions and circumstances of our societies. The powerful medium of film has a capacity to provide a mirror to understand ourselves and our communities. The WFF has created a world-class platform for us to immerse ourselves in film culture. I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Whistler Film Festival Society for bringing seventeen years of stellar programming and project opportunities to film fans and filmmakers from near and far. The ever growing WFF plays a vital role in fostering, facilitating, and bringing together all aspects of film culture. WFF’s contribution to the entertainment, business, and tourism sectors is to be applauded. Have a wonderful festival! Please take advantage of this opportune time to immerse yourselves in this epic cinematic celebration amidst our scenic backdrop of beautiful British Columbia.

HONOURABLE JOHN HORGAN PREMIER OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

19

GREETINGS

MAYOR, RESORT MUNICIPALITY OF WHISTLER

On behalf of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, welcome to all the filmmakers, screenwriters, directors, producers, actors, musicians and film fans attending the 19th Whistler Film Festival from December 4 to 8.

The Whistler Film Festival brings an incredible lineup of films, as well as lively events, special guests, and industry and tal-ent programs supporting over 80 Canadian artists. Since the festival's beginning in 2001, the Whistler Film Festival has been a valuable asset in Whistler's cultural offering as well as a key date in the North American film industry calendar.

Whistler is a unique mountain resort community located on the traditional territory of the Squamish Nation and Lil'wat Nation. Passion for the mountains and our heritage inspires us and in-novation drives us. From the first settlers to the early pioneers with Olympic dreams, through to the energetic community of today, we all embrace Whistler's relationship with nature and a built environment that matches the majesty of our mountains. We welcome you to be a part of it.

During the festival, I hope you have time to experience the range of activities and experiences Whistler has to offer, from the variety of ski terrain and cross country trails to skating and sliding sports, as well as the spas, restaurants, shops, art and entertainment around the Village.

Whistler was the proud Host Mountain Resort for the 2010 Olym-pic and Paralympic Winter Games and I encourage you to visit the venues including Whistler Olympic Plaza and the Whistler Sliding Centre.

Warmest regards,

Jack Crompton

Mayor

Resort Municipality of Whistler

MINISTER OF TOURISM, ARTS AND CULTURE

On behalf of Premier John Horgan and the Government of Brit-ish Columbia, it is a pleasure to welcome you to the 2019 Whis-tler Film Festival.

For five days each year film industry professionals from across Canada and the world gather in stunning Whistler to celebrate the cutting edge of Canadian film.

With up to 90 film screenings, the Whistler Film Festival show-cases the depth and diversity of the talented professionals who work in the film industry and help make B.C. North America’s third largest motion picture hub. The festival has been growing year after year and yet still retains an intimate atmosphere that fosters connections and creativity.

The Whistler Film Festival is one of the top seven film festivals in the world because of its focus on talent and project devel-opment. The Content Summit offers 11 talent programs for Ca-nadian artists, as well as important networking opportunities for filmmakers. I urge you to take this valuable opportunity to engage and learn, to help grow Canada’s motion picture in-dustry together.

The Whistler Film Festival is an exciting innovative event and that’s why our government is proud to support through Cre-ative BC. Thank you to all the organizers for building a festival that provides global exposure to Canadian talent.

If you have time during the festival I encourage you to explore Whistler’s many tourism experiences. I wish everyone an enjoy-able and productive time at the Whistler Film Festival!

Hon. Lisa Beare,Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture

UPDATED COMFORT FOODA popular local’s choice since 2004, 21 Steps is locally owned and operated.

Our focus from the beginning has been to offer delicious food made from scratch at moderate prices.

Join us upstairs in The Attic, our intimate lounge for a signature cocktail crafted by our expert bartenders.

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21

GREETINGS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CREATIVE BC

Creative BC is thrilled to welcome you to the 19th Edition of the Whistler Film Festival (WFF)! We are proud to partner with WFF and participate in one of Canada’s leading film festivals in the beautiful resort community of Whistler, British Columbia.

Every year, industry, filmmakers and filmgoers look forward to this enriching experience that brings business, networking and cultural opportunity together in one of North America’s most stunning locations. As the provincial film commission, Creative BC is proud to support and advance British Columbia’s creative sector as it collaborates to sustain and expand the province’s reputation for motion picture excellence.

It has been a pleasure to witness WFF grow since our partner-ship in 2001. The event has evolved to become a key global player within the international film festival circuit. Congratula-tions to the festival organizers, volunteers, creators and entre-preneurs. Your passion, ambition, and shared vision are what makes WFF a premier event every winter.

Together, we’re crafting the future of storytelling in B.C. and around the world!

Prem GillChief Executive Officer, Creative BC

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TELEFILM CANADA

Festivals play a vital role in ensuring that Canadian films from all corners of our country are discovered and enjoyed, and that Canadian talent is in the spotlight. The Whistler Film Festival pro-vides a unique opportunity to do just that!

Canadian films are brought to the screen by vibrant teams that care deeply about creating the best possible product and reaching audiences at home and abroad.

As a partner of choice, Telefilm Canada is committed to seeing even bigger; and are supported in this endeavour by a grow-ing number of public and private partners, both Canadian and foreign. With a pan-Canadian Board, we want to ensure that every corner of our country is represented and heard. We are also counting on your commitment so that our talent and their stories may take their rightful place.

Our focus remains on diversity and inclusion, so that our screens reflect who we are as a nation. We encourage the next gen-eration to dare to make their first feature films. Indigenous film-makers now enjoy more support, and our industry has come together to support the shared goal of gender parity. These voices are revitalizing Canada’s rich cultural heritage and en-sure its bright future.

I would like to thank and congratulate all those who work to bring our diversity to the screen. And thank you, the audience, for supporting the Whistler Film Festival which is central to the success of our Canadian films and talent.

Continue watching Canadian films wherever they are avail-able and tell others to do the same!

Christa DickensonExecutive Director, Telefilm Canada

P L AY B A C K O N L I N E . C A / F R E E T R I A L

2 WEEK FREE TRIAL

CANADA’S MEDIA INDUSTRY DESTINATION

BREAKING AND DAILY NEWSIN-DEPTH ANALYSIS

23

MEET TEAM WFF

Shauna Hardy MishawExecutive Director

Since 2001

Leah Primeau Senior Sponsorship

RepresentativeSince 2008

Ellie IrwinShorts Programmer &

Venue ManagerSince 2011

Paul GrattonDirector of Programming

Since 2012

Mallory HewlkoMarketing Manager

Since 2016

Gouri BoseBox Office Manager

Since 2005-10 & 2016-19

Abbie Sheldon Marketing Coordinator

Since 2019

Dana WrigleyEvents Manager

Since 2019

Angela Heck Director of Industry

Programming Since 2008-2009, 2019

Nikki SegoviaFilm Programming Manager

Since 2016

Raquel ChristensenIndustry Programming

Coordinator Since 2019

Angie Nolan Program Producer

Since 2004

Kristyn StillingSenior Shorts Programmer

Since 2011

Lauren Devine Film Programming

Coordinator Since 2018

Lindsay NahmiachePublicity Manager

Since 2010

Kathleen MullenGuest Services and

Talent ManagerSince 2017

Louise Saint-JacquesGuest Services Coordinator

Since 2019

Julia Schreiber Volunteer Manager

Since 2019

ADMINISTRATIONAccountant: BDO

Finance & Executive Coordinator: Valerie Lees

PROGRAMMINGScreenwriters Lab Faculty: Patricia Gruben, Ruth Atkinson, Dennis Foon, Patrick Whistler

Producers Lab Faculty: John Galway, Lee Kim, Lauren Grant, Christine Haebler

Doc Lab Facilitator: Gillian Hrankowski

Power Pitch Facilitator: Carole Kirschner

Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship Facilitator: Kyle Irving, Lorne Cardinal, Monique Hurteau

Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship Host: Linda Epp

Screening Committee: Sarah Muff, Jason Whyte, Daniel Fleming

Borsos Competition Jury Host: Karen Bruce

Doc Jury Host: Emily Weldon

Mountain Culture Jury Host: Avi Glanzer

Filmmaker, Talent & Industry Hosts: Tim Smith, Zoe Hertz, Frankie, Cal Schumiatcher, Cheryl Massey, Matthew Anderson, Daniel Fleming, Anita Adams, Leah Powell

Signature Series Host: James Gordon

WFF Live Hosts: James Gordon, Leeta, Liepins, Jason Gorber

COMMUNICATIONS:Publicity: Jive Communications - Lindsay Nahmiache, Jenny Bloom, Jacki St. Thomas, Maya Sarin

Production Designer: Whistler Creative - Ruth Barrow

BOX OFFICE & VENUES:Box Office Coordinator: Chris Howarth

Box Office Cashiers: Anne-Mary Mullen, Max Tindley, Harriet Taylor, Orla Mallon, Amaruuk Bose

Venue Coordinators: Amanda Bouchard, Bradon Smith, Lesley Ballhausen, Paige Burnett,

GUEST SERVICESTransportation Manager: Sarah Smith

Transportation Coordinator: Tyler Eardley

Technical Production: Cinematronix, XL AV

Projectionists: Damien Sully, Ryan Catherwood, Stefan Lee, Ron Lacheur

Stage & Talent Management: Kristen Robinson

Operations Lead: Emily Wood

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25

AWARDS

The Whistler Film Festival continues to strengthen our program-ming partnerships and bring our audiences unique films and events through our juried film competitions and Signature Series, which recognizes distinguished artists of our time and honours them with an award and or an intimate on stage interview com-plimented by a feature presentation of their most recent film.

THE SYMBOL OF THE TALKING STICKThe Talking Stick, the official award of the 2019 Whistler Film Fes-tival, was created in the spirit of celebrating cinematic achieve-ments as a symbol of the power of storytelling, vision and the abil-ity to see the big picture. Honourees and winners of this year’s festival will each receive one of these handcrafted awards.

The Talking Stick carries respect for free speech and assures the speaker they have the freedom and power to say what is in their heart without fear of reprisal or humiliation. Whoever holds The Talking Stick has within their hands the sacred power of words. Those who speak may do so with the power and strength of a great animal.

WOLF – LEADER: The Wolf has the ability to be both a great team player as well as a strong leader. They are known for strength in relationships are recognized for their strong sense of family and community values. The Wolf symbolizes perseverance, intuition and success. The teacher of new ideas and wisdom, the Wolf shows intense loyalty with a balance of independence. The Wolf is a teacher of cooperation, protectiveness and the value of ex-tended families and loyalty.

RAVEN – CATALYST FOR CHANGE: The Raven teaches us about life and right from wrong. The Raven gets bored quickly, and is continually looking for ways to amuse itself. Quick to take action and extremely curious, they could be taken as a symbol of the Coastal People’s view that the world has many faces, is a place full of surprises - neither good nor bad - but often unpredictable.

FOX – TEACHER: As a spirit animal, the Fox provides guidance on swiftly finding your way around obstacles. If you follow the fox totem wisdom, you may be called to use quick thinking and adaptability. Responsive, sometimes cunning, this power animal is a great guide when you are facing tricky situations.

EAGLE - CHIEF: The Eagle is the ruler of the sky and has the ability to transform itself as they have a connection with our creator. The Eagle symbolizes grace, power, and has great intellectual abilities. The gift the Eagle shares is the ability of foresight, and an indication of good times to come.

THUNDERBIRD - MAVERICK: The Thunderbird is a mountain dwell-er and is a highly intelligent creature. From its home, they keep a close eye over their dominion. Humans should beware not to try to outwit the Thunderbird for they are most certain to have it backfire. The Thunderbird preoccupies its time with carrying out the law and protocol and will assert justice to communities in need.

BEAR - TRAILBLAZER: The Bear symbolizes strength and learned hu-mility through motherhood and teaching. With great self-aware-ness, the Bear teaches us to deliberate choices or actions. Some-times referred to as the protector of the animal kingdom and forests, the Bear is a well respected member of the community.

THE ARTIST – JIM YELTONSquamish Nation Artist, Jim Yelton, individually carved the Whis-tler Film Festival’s Talking Stick awards. Jim was born in Squamish, British Columbia in 1955 and has been carving his entire life. The skill of carving was passed down to Jim from his father, Michael Yelton, who taught him about the Northwest Coast First Nations cultural traditions and how they applied to his art form. For over 30 years, Jim has been carving cedar wood and specializes in Masks, Feast Dishes, Canoe Paddles and most of all, Talking Sticks. Jim’s influences are the traditions of his people and the natural envi-ronment surrounding him. He incorporates indigenous animals in his work, which have specific meanings and symbolism within the Squamish Nation culture. His work can be found in galleries and private collections worldwide. Jim currently resides in Sechelt, BC.

Become an Academy Member today and join 4,500 other industry professionals across Canada by supporting your peers and voting on the nominees and winners for the Canadian

Screen Awards. Members also gain FREE entry to a variety of di�erent networking events, industry programming, and advanced screenings in Toronto.

Become a voting member today, and have your say.

Visit academy.ca/members to join.

28

WFF AWARDS & JURIES

Cinematic excellence remains at the heart of the Whistler Film Festival. To recognize the vitality of this art form. 68 films are com-peting in 7 juried sections for 15 awards and $146,500 in cash and prizing ($31,500 cash and $115,000 in prizes) plus one audi-ence award. Comprised of individuals from the worldwide film community with original and diverse points of view, the Festival’s competition juries will select films from the feature, documentary and short form categories to received the following designated awards, which will be presented at the Awards Celebration on the last day of the fest.

BORSOS COMPETITION FOR BEST CANADIAN FEATURE

See page 31 for Jury.

WORLD DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

From the personal to the political, WFF’s World Documenta-ry Competition showcases six documentary feature films from around the world. With courageous viewpoints and a deep-root-ed desire to explore personalities and events that shape our lives, these films capture the human spirit in many guises and of-ten challenge us to look at our world from a new perspective. A jury of three industry professionals from North America will award the Best World Documentary Award.

MOUNTAIN CULTURE COMPETITION

As a reflection of the Festival’s unique setting, WFF’s Mountain Culture Competition features films from around the world that capture mountain places and experiences with a cinematic flourish. A jury of three industry professionals will award the Moun-tain Culture Award sponsored by Whistler Blackcomb.

AUDIENCE AWARD

All narrative and documentary feature length films in the Whistler Film Festival are eligible to receive the Audience Award. The Festi-val-going public casts their votes to choose the most popular film in this year’s festival, which will be announced on December 9.

BC DIRECTOR AWARD

The new BC Directors Award will recognize the achievements of a BC Director with a feature film at the festival.

SHORTWORK COMPETITION

WFF’s ShortWork Competition showcases a selection of 25 short films (under 50 minutes in length) within four short film programs. Presented with verve and limited only by their duration, these short films display the extraordinary talent, dynamism and cre-ative exploration found in the work of some of the world’s most promising filmmakers. A jury of three will award the Canadian and International ShortWork Award as well as $1,000 CDN prize to the top Canadian ShortWork entry.

BC STUDENT SHORTWORK COMPETITION

WFF’s Student ShortWork Competition includes nine short films produced by post-secondary students in British Columbia. The ShortWork Competition jury will award a $500 CDN prize to the top Student ShortWork entry.

AWFJ EDA AWARDS

EDA Awards will be presented for Best Female-Directed Narrative Feature and for Best Female-Directed Short Film. Eligible female-di-rected films are being screened as part of the festival’s regular pro-gram, and are being nominated for EDA Awards consideration by Whistler Film Festival’s administration and programmers.

Narrative feature jury includes: Liz Braun - Post Media, Toronto; Lau-ra Emerick - Ebert.com, Chicago; Alexandra Heller-Nicholas - Sens-es of Cinema, Melbourne; Jennifer Merin (Chair) - Cinema Citizen, New York; and Susan Wloszczyna - Gold Derby, Washington, DC.

The Short Film Jury includes: Marina Antunes (Chair) - Row Three, Vancouver; Betsy Boszdech - Common Sense Media, San Francis-co; Leba Hertz - San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco; Lois Alter Mark - Midlife At The Oasis, San Diego and Diana Saenger - East County Gazette, Alpine, CA.

MPPIA SHORT FILM AWARD

The MPPIA Short Film Award returns for its 13th edition with five BC finalists, who will compete for the coveted $15,000 cash award plus in-kind production services of up to $100,000 to develop a short film project. See page 89 for details.

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29

WFF AWARDS & JURIES

WORLD DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION JURY

JOHN RITCHIEFormerly Chief Creative Officer and Partner at Force Four Entertainment, John has overseen the creation of more than 500 hours of film and tele-vision, including the award-winning documen-tary 65_REDROSES, the Peabody Award winning mini-series Human Cargo, and sitcom series Seed.

JULIA IVANOVAJulia is a documentary director, cinematogra-pher and editor. Her filmography includes ten award-winning features. She was the subject of Hot Docs Festival's Focus On retrospective in 2019. She teaches documentary, mentors young film-makers and makes films in Vancouver.

TRACEY FRIESENTracey is the author and founder of Story Money Impact, which produces Good Pitch Vancouver. Previous positions include Director of Communi-cations at the David Suzuki Foundation, Director of Programming at Roundhouse Radio, and Pro-ducer/Exec at NFB for 11+ years.

MOUNTAIN CULTURE COMPETITION JURY

ERIN HOGUEErin is a Whistler local and X-Games gold medal-ist, an Oprah Magazine Insider and Sony Alpha Female. Erin is a photographer, a speaker, a writer and a creative director with an impressive client list including Oakley, ESPN, Transworld, and Red-bull.

PETER HARVEYOriginally from Whistler, Peter is an award-winning independent producer committed to Canadian storytelling with honesty and originality. His fea-ture PICTURE DAY, starring Tatiana Maslany, which premiered at TIFF 2012, won the Borsos Competi-tion in Whistler for best feature and performance.

TAMO CAMPOSTamo Campos is an environmental activist, film-maker and extreme snowboarder who founded the nonprofit Beyond Boarding. Tamo embeds himself in the community wherever he goes and is dedicated to combining social impact with his adventures in sport, activism and filmmaking.

SHORTWORK COMPETITION JURY

SB EDWARDSBased in Vancouver and LA, Sara Beth (SB) Ed-wards is known for writing on the Netflix origi-nal series TRAVELERS and has recently teamed up with Chris Moore (MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, GOOD WILL HUNTING) to produce her serialized crime series NOWHERE.

GLORIA UI YOUNG KIMBorn in Seoul, Korea, writer/director Gloria Ui Young Kim is an alumni of the CFC’s Director’s Lab and TIFF Talent Lab. She recently directed, wrote and produced her first feature, QUEEN OF THE MORNING CALM. Her short FLAMENCO, won the Corus Fearless Female Filmmaker Award.

GAURAV SETHBorn in India, Gaurav Seth studied at the presti-gious Russian Institute of Cinema in Moscow. His first feature A PASSAGE TO OTTAWA won a CRYS-TAL BEAR (Special Mention) at the Berlin Film Fes-tival. Recent credits include PRISONER X and EN-TANGLED.

MPPIA COMPETITION JURY

EMILY ALDENEmily Alden is the former VP of Pacific Northwest Pictures where she executive produced a number of films, including Rebecca Addelman’s debut feature PAPER YEAR and Jason Bourke’s DRONE. Alden also produced Carl Bassai’s features UN-NATURAL & ACCIDENTAL and SISTERS & BROTHERS.

FANCIS LUTAFrancis Luta is a Toronto-based Canadian film-maker, born in the Philippines, with works rang-ing from documentaries and narrative fiction. His feature ALONE ACROSS THE ARCTIC is playing this years festival.

DOREEN MANUELDoreen Manuel MFA, is the Director of the Bosa Centre for Film & Animation at Capilano Univer-sity; on the Board of Directors of Knowledge Net-work; and the 2019 Woman of the Year for Wom-en in Film and TV Vancouver (WIFTV).

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BORSOS COMPETITION & JURY

For 16 consecutive years, 189 entries have competed in this coveted competition that celebrates the independent vision, original directorial style and the diversity of talent found in Canadian independent film, named in honour of legendary Ca-nadian filmmaker Philip Borsos. 20 Canadian feature films with a Western Canadian premiere status are included in this year's Borsos Competition.

An esteemed jury of three will award the prize for best feature, which includes a $15,000 CDN cash prize presented by the Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia, the country’s second largest festival prize for a Canadian film after TIFF, and the $15,000 post production prize sponsored by ENCORE Vancouver, as well as awards for Best Director sponsored by the Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia, Best Screenplay, Best Performance, and Best Cinematography sponsored by the Interna-tional Cinematographers Guild | Local 669.

PHILIP BORSOSBorn in Hobart Tasmania, Philip Borsos immigrated to Canada at age seven. After training at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, he first gained recognition with a series of short documentaries, one of which, NAILS, was nominated for an Academy Award. His first feature film, THE GREY FOX (1982), starring Richard Farnsworth, won the Genie Award for Best Feature and Best Director. Philip went on to make several more acclaimed feature films, including THE MEAN SEASON (1985) starring Kurt Rus-sell, ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS (1985) starring Harry Dean Stanton, and the Genie-nominated BETHUNE: MAKING OF A HERO (1990), starring Donald Sutherland. His last film, FAR FROM HOME: THE ADVEN-TURES OF YELLOW DOG was completed just weeks before he succumbed to leukemia in 1995. Philip Borsos remains our inspiration for this coveted award.

PETER O’BRIANPeter is a Canadian independent film producer whose feature films have won 19 Canadian Academy “Genie” Awards. His producing career began in the mid-Seventies with the low-budget comedies ME, LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, and the international cult classic OUTRAGEOUS! He founded Independent Pictures Inc and began to produce some of Canada’s most important films of the eighties, including THE GREY FOX and MY AMERICAN COUSIN which won Best Motion Picture Genies for 1983 and 1986 respectively. In 1984 THE GREY FOX was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Film. Disney’s ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS came next, followed by Gordon Pinsent’s JOHN AND THE MISSUS and FAR FROM HOME with 20th Century-Fox in 1994. He made his directorial debut in 2003 with HOLLYWOOD NORTH. He has been passionately associated with the Canadian Film Centre since he became a founding board member in 1986, and was appointed by Norman Jewison in 1988 to be Executive Director for the Centre’s first critical years of operation.

ROBERT BUDREAURobert is an award-winning writer, director and producer. Robert wrote, directed and produced the Chet Baker jazz film, BORN TO BE BLUE (2015), starring Ethan Hawke and Carmen Ejogo, and the feature STOCKHOLM starring Ethan Hawke, Noomi Rapace and Mark Strong, which won Best Screenplay at the CSA awards and the 2018 Borsos award for Best Screenplay. Both films have played at the Whistler Film Festival. Previously, Robert wrote and directed the CSA-nominated feature THAT BEAUTIFUL SOME-WHERE starring Roy Dupuis.

LORETTA TODDLoretta is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning Indigenous filmmaker, director, co-writer and producer of the upcoming feature film, MONKEY BEACH, based on the iconic novel by Eden Robinson. She has directed and written over 100 programs, works as a series creator and show runner, as well as designing interactive games and apps. Recently she created the IM4 Lab, the first Indigenous VR/AR Lab in Canada, in partnership with Emily Carr University. Her films have screened at the Sundance Festival, TIFF, ImagineNative and the Museum of Modern Art. Ms Todd has received the Mayor's Awards for Media Arts – City of Vancouver, Sundance Scriptwriter’s Lab—Sundance Institute, Rockefeller Fel-lowship—NYU Center for Media, Culture and History and Innovator Award from Women In Film.

BORSOS COMPETITION FOR BEST CANADIAN FEATURE

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SIGNATURE SERIES: ARTIST TRIBUTE

THURSDAY3:00 PM | Maury Young Arts Centre

FROM THE VINE: Thursday | 1:00 PM | Maury Young Arts Centre

FROM THE VINE: Friday | 7:30 PM | Village 8 - Theatre 6

In a career spanning almost five decades, Joe Pantoliano has amassed an impressive catalog of classic American film and television titles, collaborating with some of Holly-wood’s most prestigious filmmakers including Christopher Nolan (MEMENTO), Steven Spielberg (GOONIES, EMPIRE OF THE SUN), Andrew Davis (THE FUGITIVE, THE FINAL TER-ROR, STEAL BIG STEAL LITTLE), Michael Bay (BAD BOYS), and Martin Brest (MIDNIGHT RUN).

With more than 150 film, television and stage credits to his name, Joe Pantoliano is an Emmy award-winning American actor who has played many diverse and memorable roles, from Guido in RISKY BUSINESS (1983) to Eddie Moscone in MIDNIGHT RUN (1988), Cosmo Renfro in THE FUGITIVE (1993), Cypher in THE MATRIX (1999) and Teddy in MEMENTO (2000).

Originally from New Jersey, Pantoliano is the son of first-generation Italian Americans, who displayed acting talent from an early age and moved to Manhattan after high school to pursue an acting career. After four years in Manhattan that included auditions, acting classes, waiting tables and a role as Billy Bibbit in the touring production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, he moved to California to pursue television and film acting.

Pantoliano was successful in landing a number of tele-vision roles before getting his feature film debut in The IDOLMAKER (1980), but his true Hollywood breakthrough came with his turn opposite a 21-year-old Tom Cruise as ruthless pimp Guido in 1983’s RISKY BUSINESS (1983). A wide array of TV and film roles followed that have led Joe to work with many of Hollywood’s brightest talents, both on-screen and off, including Richard Donner, Ste-ven Spielberg, Lilly Wachowski and Lana Wachowski, Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Wesley Snipes, Christo-pher Nolan and many others.

In addition to working on critically acclaimed feature films, Pantoliano’s television appearances have included the likes of the hit TV series The Sopranos (1999) for which he received a primetime Emmy and also received two SAG Award nominations, as well as his award winning documentary that he wrote and directed, NO KIDDING ME 2 (2009).

Whistler Film Festival will honour Joe Pantoliano with a Career Achievement Award, presented during an in-timate conversation following the Western Canadian Premiere of his latest film FROM THE VINE.

JOSEPH PANTOLIANO

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SIGNATURE SERIES: ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

THURSDAY7:00 PM | Maury Young Arts Centre

LOST TRANSMISSIONS: WEDNESDAY | 6:00 PM | Rainbow Theatre

LOST TRANSMISSIONS: WEDNESDAY | 9:00 AM | Rainbow Theatre

WFF shines the spotlight on British actor, writer and producer Simon Pegg, who stars alongside Juno Temple in Katharine O’Brien’s LOST TRANSMISSIONS opening the festival with its Canadian premiere.

From a successful career in stand-up comedy to television, Pegg co-wrote and starred in cult sitcom Spaced (1999), directed by Edgar Wright, which featured Pegg’s best friend, Nick Frost. Pegg’s breakthrough in film came with the zom-rom-com SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004), which he co-wrote with director Edgar Wright and featured Nick Frost. It was voted one of the Best British Comedies ever made by many, including Empire magazine and Channel 4. The trio also scored a hit with police comedy HOT FUZZ (2007).

Pegg’s other notable credits include Steven Spielberg’s THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN; John Landis’ BURKE & HARE, voicing ‘Reepicheep’ in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER and ‘Buck’ in ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS and ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE. Further film successes followed, notably in the iconic role of Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in J.J. Abrams-directed global hits STAR TREK and STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS, and alongside Tom Cruise as Benji Dunn in the global blockbusters, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE GHOST PROTOCOL AND MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE ROGUE NATION.

Pegg was also featured in STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Last year, Pegg took on dual duties as both Ogden Morrow and the voice of The Curator in Steven Spielberg’s hugely successful adaptation of Ernest Cline’s novel READY PLAYER ONE, and starred alongside Margot Robbie in the Robbie produced TERMINAL.

Pegg and Frost recently announced the birth of their new production company ‘Stolen Picture’, with their first production being the Halloween 2018 release SLAUGHTERHOUSE RULEZ with Sony Pictures Television distributing. New roles include the much talked about Amazon Studio’s adaptation of popular comic-book series The Boys, as well as Netflix’ The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance. Pegg recently completed filming thriller INHERITANCE with Terminal director Vaughan Stein alongside Lily Collins, and is now in prep for the marathon back to back shooting of the recently announced next two installments of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.

WFF will celebrate Simon Pegg’s impressive career and exceptional achievements at an Artist Spotlight event on December 5, and honour him with the Maverick Award, presented to an artist whose bold choices have led to some of the most dynamic, memorable and beloved film moments of our time.

SIMON PEGG

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37

SIGNATURE SERIES: ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

FRIDAY5:00 PM | Maury Young Arts Centre

SPINSTER: Friday | 6:30 PM | Maury Young Arts Centre

SPINSTER: Sunday | 4:30 PM | Village 8 - Theatre 5

WFF shines the spotlight on stand-up comedian, actress and writer Chelsea Peretti, who is attending the festival with her feature film debut and the World Premiere of SPINSTER, from Canadian director Andrea Dorfman.

Chelsea Peretti starred as ‘Gina Linetti’ on the hit FOX comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine opposite Andy Samberg and Terry Crews. She next can be seen in the romantic drama THE PHOTOGRAPH directed by Stella Meghie and featuring Issa Rae and LeKeith Stanfield, as well as the Red Hour comedy feature FRIENDSGIVING opposite Malin Akerman and Kat Dennings. Her film credits also include New Line feature GAME NIGHT opposite Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, and Universal’s POPSTAR.

Peretti can also be heard on hit animated series such as Big Mouth, The Simpson, Crank Yankers, and American Dad. She has appeared in HBO’s farewell season of Girls, Fox’s New Girl, and Comedy Central’s Kroll Show, Drunk History, Another Period and Sarah Silverman Program, is also an accomplished writer, having written for Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live, Sarah Silverman Program, Portlandia and Kroll Show, and tours her stand-up at comedy clubs, theaters and festivals across the world.

Peretti’s hour stand-up special One of the Greats has a large following on Netflix, and her half hour Comedy Central Presents aired in 2011. One of Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch, Comedy Central’s Hotlist comedians, and Vanity Fair’s 2013 Comedy Issue comedians, she was also named one of TIME Magazine’s 140 Best Twitter Feeds of 2013.

Peretti’s weekly call-in podcast “Call Chelsea Peretti” debuted at number 1 on iTunes comedy podcasts. Original comedic web projects include the highly-trafficked website BlackPeopleLoveUs.com, the New York City Rejection Line, and her “Making Friends” and “All My Exes” web series. She is actively followed on Twitter as @chelseaperetti and instagram as: chelsanity.

WFF will celebrate Chelsea Perretti’s impressive career and exceptional achievements at an Artist Spotlight event preceding the film premiere, and honour her with a Trailblazer Award, presented to an artist who has blazed a unique and inspiring trail for themselves and who continues to engage audiences with meaningful and impactful work.

CHELSEA PERETTI

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STARS TO WATCHAT WFF 2019

PROUDLY SPONSORS

39

WFF’s 6th annual Stars to Watch program is an immersive four-day experience for UBCP/ACTRA member actors, all of whom are poised for international recognition and are connected to features premiering at the festival. The initiative draws on homegrown talent from the four Western Provinces, with a specific focus on British Columbia. WFF will formally acknowl-edge the four Stars to Watch with an official award presentation at its Awards Celebration on December 8.

STARS TO WATCH

RYAN MCDONALD At eighteen, Ryan McDonald was cast in Rebecca Miller’s THE BALLAD OF JACK AND ROSE; starring alongside Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, and Katherine Keener. Recent notable mo-ments in McDonald’s film career include feature film BECKY, and most recently BLACK CONFLUX directed by Nicole Dorsey. He has a decorated career on the small screen, including Fringe for Fox, Rookie Blue for ABC, The Magicians for SyFy as well as many others. A multi-nominated actor, McDonald was most recently nominated as Best Supporting Actor at the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards for his work on the comedy series What Would Sal Do for Superchannel. He is attending WFF in the lead role of Dennis in the Western Canadian Premiere of BLACK CONFLUX.

PRESENTED BY:

ANDREA STEFANCIKOVAAndrea Stefancikova is a Canadian actress best known for her roles in films such as UNMASKED, DARK HARVEST, BELOW HER MOUTH, KIDNAPPED IN ROMANIA, and the upcoming film, PROMISE-LAND. Born in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, Stefancikova immigrated to North America with her family in 1998. She began acting in her early twenties, was an international model, and only fully dedicated herself to the craft eight years ago. She has since accumulated an impressive volume of credits with growing success in the indie film circuit.Her acting, linguistic and musical talents have made her a versatile and sought-after rising star in the entertainment industry. She is attending WFF in the leading role of Velvet in the World Premiere of PROMISELAND.

NATALIE KRILLNatalie Krill started dancing at the age of 6. The dance studio quickly became her second home. This passion evolved into a life path and opened the door for an acting career. Some of her performances include roles in MOLLY’S GAME, SUITS, WORKIN’ MOMS, RANSOM, THE LISTENER, BELOW HER MOUTH and the WFF feature WE HAD IT COMING. Her on-stage credits also include 42nd St, Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage and Crimes of the Heart. Reiki, meditation and yoga have become a steadfast part of not only who she is but also her craft. She is attending WFF in the lead role of Anna in the Canadian Premiere of WE HAD IT COMING.

ANDREW DUNBARAndrew Dunbar is a Canadian actor & filmmaker. His most recent credits include DRAGGED ACROSS CONCRETE, acting opposite Jennifer Carpenter and starring Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn, FALL BACK DOWN and THERE’S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE, an upcoming Netflix horror directed by Patrick Brice. Andrew started creating his own projects early in his career, writing and producing films that allow him to explore what he is passionate about as an actor. His latest project Bachelor Daddies is a comedy series which he co-created and stars in. He’s the co-owner of White Buffalo Films, a Vancouver based production company focused on brave, original stories. He is attending WFF with the leading role of Nick in the World Premiere of FALL BACK DOWN.

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41

OPENING FILM

CANADIAN PREMIERE

WEDNESDAY 6:00PM | Rainbow Theatre9:00PM | Rainbow Theatre

Simon Pegg gives the performance of a life-time as schizophrenic musician-turned-pro-ducer, Theo Ross. Once a member of a notorious 90s band and now occasionally recording at his home studio in LA, Theo is on regulated medication after a bad acid trip left him susceptible to bouts of unbri-dled psychosis. He bonds with newcomer Hannah (Juno Temple) at the piano over a Daniel Johnston tune, a songwriter whose career was severely hindered by mental illness. After learning of Hannah’s struggle with depression Theo suggests that they abandon their respective medications in their quest for unfettered musical greatness, with disastrous consequences.

That the line between insanity and musical genius is invariably thin has been well and romantically documented in films such as WHALE MUSIC and LOVE & MERCY. Director Katharine O’Brien goes beyond the trope of sensationalized documentation in LOST TRANSMISSIONS, giving an all-encompass-ing look at modern societal failings in deal-ing with schizophrenia. Hannah’s heart-breakingly desperate attempts to get Theo the help he needs bring her to the brink of her own sanity, and to the bleak realisation that the American healthcare system is not equipped to adequately intervene.

Pegg and Temple’s compassionate por-trayals of their characters’ all-consuming mental battles will resonate with anyone who has struggled with mental illness, either directly or in supporting a loved one. A mar-vellously acted and empathetic reflection on two debilitating mental health issues acutely experienced by so many, set to an impressive soundtrack.

“Hopeful but not too tidy, LOST TRANSMIS-SIONS tells its story without engaging with foolish clichés about creativity and mad-ness.” John Defore, The Hollywood Reporter

“It’s nice to see him (Pegg) take on an un-diluted serious role—and guess what, he’s a natural dramatic actor…I, for one, bought every minute of it.” Owen Gleiberman, Va-riety

Tribeca Film Festival

LOST TRANSMISSIONS United States | 2019 | 105 minutes

Director: Katharine O’Brien

Executive Producers: Thomas Benski, Allan Li, Bo An

Producers: Filip Rymsza, Tory Lenosky, Al Di

Production Companies: Pulse Films, Royal Road Entertainment, Underlying Tension

Written By: Katharine O’Brien

Cast: Juno Temple, Simon Pegg, Alexandra Daddario, Tao Okamoto

Cinematographer: Arnau Valls Colomer

Editing: Yannis Chalkiadakis

KATHARINE O’BRIEN Director and screenwriter Katharine O’Brien’s first feature film THE AUTOMATIC HATE (2015) premiered at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival and played top international festivals such as Bu-san and Mar del Plata, winning

the Audience Award at the Mill Valley Film Festival. Katharine resides in Los Angeles.

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42

CLOSING FILM (DOUBLE BILL)

WHISTLER PREMIERE

SUNDAY 6:30 PM | Maury Young Arts Centre


From season 10 of Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters to Skateboarding series produced by Vans comes a Canada-centric episode. Grosso visits some of Canada’s most iconic skate spots and catches up with local luminaries, from Joe Buffalo in Ottawa to Rob Boyce in Vancouver. We are treated to a special visit to Montreal to see the ‘Big O’, a large culvert inaccessible in the winter and dog-gedly refurbished by local skaters every spring so they can get back to the grind. A popular series among skate communities the world over, this episode is a must-see for Canadian skateboarders.

*GROSSO’S LOVELETTERS TO SKATEBOARD-ING: CANADA will be screening in a dou-ble bill with THE TONY ALVA STORY (Dir. Coan Buddy Nichols and Rick Charnoski, 54 mins, United States).

GROSSO’S LOVELETTERS TO SKATEBOARDING: CANADA Canada | 2019 | 42 minutes

Directors: Rick Charnoski, Coan Buddy Nichols

Production Companies: VANS, SIX STAIR

Host: Jeff Grosso

Directors: Coan Buddy Nichols and Rick Charnoski

Editors: Coan Buddy Nichols and Rick Charnoski

Writers: Coan Buddy Nichols and Rick Charnoski

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CLOSING FILM (DOUBLE BILL)SPONSORED BY:

WESTERN CANADIAN PREMIERE



THE TONY ALVA STORY chronicles Alva’s humble beginnings on the streets of Santa Monica, his rise to superstardom as part of the legendary Z-Boys, an arguably inevita-ble drug-fuelled implosion, and ultimately his ascension to his rightful place as the godfather of modern-day skateboarding. Talking heads include Stacey Peralta, Gus Van Sant, Josh Brolin, Steve Olson and Jeff Grosso. But the highlight is the candid inter-view with Alva today, still skating everyday at 60.

*THE TONY ALVA STORY will be screening in a double bill with GROSSO’S LOVELETTERS TO SKATEBOARDING: CANADA (Dir. Coan Buddy Nichols and Rick Charnoski, 42 mins, United States).

THE TONY ALVA STORY United States | 2019 | 54 minutes

Directors: Coan Buddy Nichols, Rick Charnoski

Producer: Chris Nieratko

Production Companies: VANS, SIX STAIR

Written By: Rick Charnoski, Coan Buddy Nichols, Christian White

Cast: Tony Alva, Jeff Grosso, Gus Van Sant, Henry Rollins, Tony Hawk, Josh Brolin, Catherine Hardwicke, Steve Olson, Stacey Peralta, Robert Trujillo, Jeff Ho, Jeff Ament

Cinematographer: Coan Buddy Nichols, Rick Charnoski, Bradley Weems

Editing: Christian White

COAN BUDDY NICHOLS AND RICK CHARNOSKI Coan “Buddy” Nichols and Rick Charnoski found-ed the independent production company, Six Stair, which operates under the same DIY ethics of the subculture that raised them: Skateboarding and punk rock. They have worked with respected artists and filmmakers including Cameron Crowe, Richard Serra, Peter Beard, Julian Schnabel as well as on commercial projects.

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SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

A collection of high quality special presentations that will be garnering attention during this year’s award season. From Golden Globe nominees to Oscar contenders, see the films that you will be hearing about throughout the upcoming awards season.

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NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

FRIDAY 6:30 PM | Rainbow Theatre

SATURDAY 1:30 PM | Rainbow Theatre

Sarah Megan Thomas proves a cinematic triple-threat in the roles of producer, writer and lead actor in this thrilling true story of female spies of the Allied resistance during WWII. Forced to consider new avenues for espionage after the Nazis invade France, Winston Churchill resolved to create a covert brigade of female spies within his Special Operations Executive. Spy-mistress Vera Atkins (Stana Katic) was tasked with overseeing this unit, and the bulk of the narrative focuses on the efforts of two of her most effective recruits: American ex-patriate Virginia Hall (played by Sarah Me-gan Thomas) and Muslim pacifist Noor In-ayat Khan (Radhike Aote). Together, these women form a sisterhood while entangled in dangerous missions to build a new type of spy network and help stop Hitler.

That this film was financed and shot inde-pendently belies the quality of this exhila-rating feature, with the finished production rivalling that of a major studio production. Three marvelous lead performances and a strong script provide enough intrigue and intensity to command your breathless at-tention throughout.

The film triggers a nostalgia usually re-served for big-budget Hollywood war ep-ics, with the calibre of this kind of epic his-torical story-telling that studios have shifted away from in recent years. Fortunately we have visionary independent filmmakers like Sarah Megan Thomas and director, Lydia Dean Pilcher (producer of over 40 films in-cluding THE LUNCHBOX and THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY) to fill this keenly-felt void, and give wings to this revolutionary tale of fe-males prevailing in a battle where the stakes have never been higher, and whose telling is long overdue.

“It’s an engrossing, tense spy thriller, a heavy emotional experience…highly rec-ommended.” Joe Gordon, Live for Films

Edinburgh International Film Festival

LIBERTÉ: A CALL TO SPYUnited Kingdom, United States 2019 | 124 minutes

Director: Lydia Dean Pilcher

Producer: Sarah Megan Thomas

Production Company: SMT Pictures LLC

Written By: Sarah Megan Thomas

Cast: Sarah Megan Thomas, Stana Katic, Radhi-ka Apte, Linus Roache, Rossif Sutherland

Cinematographer: Robby Baumgartner

Editing: Paul Tothill

LYDIA DEAN PILCHER Lydia Dean Pilcher is an Academy Award-nominated and two-time Emmy award-winning producer. She has worked with auteur direc-tors including Wes Anderson, Gina Prince-Bythwood, and internation-

ally acclaimed director Mira Nair. She recently co-directed the feature film RADIUM GIRLS (2018) which premiered at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. LIBERTÉ: A CALL TO SPY is her solo directing debut.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION SPONSORED BY:PRESENTED BY:

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WORLD PREMIERE

FRIDAY 6:30 PM | MY Arts Centre

SUNDAY 4:30 PM | Village 8 -Theatre 5

Chelsea Peretti is most widely known for her roles in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks and Recreation, her Netflix-streaming stand-up special One of The Greats, and a scene-stealing appearance in GAME NIGHT with Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams. In her feature film debut, Peretti gives an outstanding performance as thir-ty-nine-year-old Gaby, an outspoken cyn-ic plagued by the societal pressure that all too often comes with being single at a ‘certain age’. Following an unceremonious break-up, Gaby resolves to find love via a series of blind dates, each one more ill-fat-ed and comically rendered than the last.

Peretti’s comic timing is remarkable in her portrayal of the prickly leading lady, evi-denced in the opening scene in which she badmouths a rather vacuous client of her fledgling catering business. Gaby dreams of opening her own restaurant and finding an appreciative life-mate, but life seems to have other ideas in the picturesque Halifax where this quirky female character study was filmed.

Emmy-nominated director Andrea Dorf-man has established her directorial voice as one that would bring female stories to the fore after breaking out with the remarkable PARSLEY DAYS (2000), which centres around the heroine’s deliberation on whether to share that she is pregnant with her emo-tionally distant husband. Screenwriter Jen-nifer Deyell co-wrote LOVE THAT BOY (2003) which dealt with a woman’s feelings for a younger man, also directed by Dorfman. SPINSTER is arguably her funniest and most poignant film to date, and illustrates a cul-tural progression towards the celebration and exploration of compelling and relat-able female-led stories.

SPINSTERCanada | 2019 | 87 minutes

Director: Andrea Dorfman

Producers: Marc Tetreault, Jay Dahl, Bill Niven, William Woods

Production Company: Sea Green Pictures Inc

Written By: Jennifer Deyell

Cast: Chelsea Peretti, Jonathan Watton, Kate Lynch, Susan Kent, Nadia Tonen

Cinematographer: Stephanie Weber-Biron

Editing: Simone Smith

ANDREA DORFMAN Andrea Dorf-man is a filmmaker, animator and artist who has directed the feature films PARSLEY DAYS (2000), the critically acclaimed LOVE THAT BOY (2003) featuring a young El-len Page, and the musical drama

HEARTBEAT (2014). Her short film ‘Flawed’ (2010) earned an Emmy nomination.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONSPONSORED BY:PRESENTED BY:

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SPECIAL PRESENTATION

WHISTLER PREMIERE

THURSDAY 12:00 PM | Rainbow Theatre

SUNDAY 6:00 PM | Rainbow Theatre

If ever an epic story deserved to be seen on the big screen, this sure-to-be Oscar nominated masterwork is it. Martin Scors-ese’s ruminative deep-dive into post-war America’s gritty criminal universe provides a continuation of themes of GOODFELLAS (1990) and CASINO (1995). Robert De Niro is Frank Sheeran, a veteran-turned-hitman contracted to some of New York’s most nefarious racketeers. The plot unspools the murder of union boss Jimmy Hoffa, played by Al Pacino at his best.

Scorsese’s latest cinematic venture is a timely chronicle of the connections be-tween criminal personalities and the po-litical figures that ostensibly govern them. The cast boasts a veritable powerhouse of actors to rival anything assembled in recent years: De Niro, Pacino, Joe Pes-ci (whose GOODFELLAS bit ‘You think I’m funny?’ remains one of the most iconic psycho-gangster blow-ups in mob-movie history), and an appearance from Harvey Keitel hearkening back to Scorsese’s first mainstream film MEAN STREETS (1973). With his longest run time and largest production budget to date (estimated to be between $150 and $200 million) audiences are given a sense that this is what Scorsese’s entire career has been gearing up to.

Kudos to Netflix for financing his vision. There are exceedingly limited theatrical runs planned for this genre-defining gang-ster epic, and we hope that Whistler audi-ences will appreciate this unique opportu-nity to take in Scorsese’s masterful work on the big screen.

“…A kind of gangland greatest hits…a his-tory of the United States in a few dozen kill-ings. It’s a gift for cinephiles…” A.O. Scott, N.Y. Times

“…A coldly enthralling, long-form knock-out—a majestic mob epic with ice in its veins…not just a drama, but a reckoning that also takes us somewhere bold and new.” Owen Gleiberman, Variety

THE IRISHMANUnited States | 2019 | 210 minutes

Director: Martin Scorsese

Executive Producers: Richard Baratta, George Furla, Niels Juul, Jai Stefan, Chad A. Verdi, Berry Welsh, Tyler Zacharia

Producers: Troy Allen, Gerald Chamales, Robert De Niro, Randall Emmett, Gastón Pavlovich, Jane Rosenthal, Martin Scorsese, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Irwin Winkler

Written By: Charles Brandt, Steven Zaillian

Cast: Robert De Niro, Anna Paquin, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Aleksa Palladino, Harvey Keitel

Cinematographer: Rodrigo Prieto

Editing: Thelma Schoonmaker

Composer: Robbie Robertson

Production Designer: Bob Shaw

Print Source: Netflix

Distributor: Jim Sherry Media

MARTIN SCORSESE Known for his gritty, meticulous filmmaking style, globally acclaimed director Martin Scorsese has produced some of the most memorable films in cinematic history, includ-ing TAXI DRIVER (1976), GOOD-

FELLAS (1990), and Academy Award-winning THE DEPARTED (2006).

SPONSORED BY:PRESENTED BY:

SATURDAY 7:30 PM | Village 8 - Theatre 6

SUNDAY7:00 PM | Village 8 - Theatre 5

WHISTLER PREMIERE

COMPULSIVE LIAR (MENTEUR)Canada | 2019 | 111 minutes

French with English subtitles

Director: Émile GaudreaultProducer: Denise RobertProduction Company: Cinémaginaire Inc. Written By: Émile Gaudreault, Eric K. BoulianneCast: Louis-Jose Houde, Antoine Bertrand, Catherine Chabot, Anne-Elis-abeth Bosse, Genevieve Schmidt, Veronique Le Flaguais, Luc Senay, Patrice Coquereau, Marie-Lise Pilote, Sonia Vachon, Didier Lucien, Vitali Makarov, Denise Filiatrault, Michel LaperriereCinematographer: Steve AsselinDistributor: Les Films Séville

By far the funniest film produced in Canada this year, its $6 mil-lion-dollar box office haul in Quebec alone also makes MENTEUR this year’s highest-grossing Canadian release. Played by the hilari-ous Jean-Louis Houde, Simon is a compulsive liar in every conceiv-able aspect of his life, from run-of-the-mill excuses for lateness to elaborate falsities fabricated to impress women in bars. So chron-ic is his propensity for deceit that his family, at their collective wits’ end, stage an intervention which Simon promptly rejects.

On awakening in a parallel universe in which his many untruths have become reality, an interminable string of comically ren-dered disasters ensue including declarations of lust and longing from his sister-in-law, an uncontrollable talent for jazz dancing and being unable to drive his car without sustaining a very real flat tire. As Simon’s fictitious façade crumbles, he struggles to un-tangle the web of lies woven not only around those close to him, but the destructive lies he has told himself. Such a fun high-con-cept commercial comedy, surely a fully-fledged American stu-dio remake isn’t far behind.

“…a hilarious romp that will have you rolling in the aisles.’ Sno-bReviews. Com

“***1/2 Menteur delivers on its promises.” Maxime Demers, Le Journal de Montréal

SPOTLIGHT

Standing out from the crowd due to critical acclaim, award wins or exceptional vision, these titles are must sees for the discerning cinephile.

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SUNDAY3:15 PM | Rainbow Theatre

THURSDAY 8:00 PM | Village 8 - Theatre 8



HOPE GAPDenmark, Canada | 2019 | 100 minutes

Director: William NicholsonProducers: Sarada McDermott, David ThompsonWritten By: William NicholsonCast: Bill Nighy, Annette Bening, Josh O’ConnorCinematographer: Anna Valdez-HanksEditing: Pia Di CiaulaComposer: Alex HeffesProduction Designer: Simon RogersDistributor: Level Film

Edward (Bill Nighy) and Grace (Annette Bening) remain curiously ill-matched for a couple married so long. During a rare visit from their son Jamie (Josh O’Connor), father Edward announces a new love interest, unhappily single mother Angela, and his plans to leave Grace after 29 years of marriage. Edward wants to en-list Jamie’s help to ease Grace’s shock following his abandon-ment. The story is somewhat autobiographical as writer/director William Nicholson (GLADIATOR, LES MISERABLES) was reportedly caught up in the painful marital breakup of his own parents. The film is based on his 1989 play The Retreat From Moscow.

Neither parent is depicted as wholly innocent, and in the hands of the extraordinary Bening and Nighy the all-too-human emo-tional flaws of these characters are portrayed brilliantly. By the end of the film, who your sympathies will lie with is anyone’s guess. Nighy is great, Bening is sublime, and together their performanc-es elevate the material such that you will surely be touched by their telling of the unravelling of a relationship clearly long past its expiration date.

“...considerably more nuanced and mature than your typical relationship drama.” Peter Debruge, Variety

“…the leads consistently mine the complexity in Nicholson’s script.” Tim Grierson, Screen Daily

Toronto International Film Festival

ANTIGONECanada | 2019 | 109 minutes


Director: Sophie DeraspeProducer: Marc DaigleWritten By: Sophie DeraspeCast: Nahéma Ricci, Rawad El-Zein, Nour Belkhiria, Antoine DesRochers, Rachida OussaadaDistributor: Maison 4:3

A brilliant contemporary retelling of the story of Antigone, set in Montreal. Echoing the classic Greek tragedy of Sophocles, AN-TIGONE is the journey of a young woman who defies the author-ities and the criminal justice system to protect her family. After a clash with the police leaves one brother dead, and the oth-er incarcerated and facing deportation to the country where their parents were murdered, Antigone orchestrates Polynice’s escape from prison and struggles to keep her family together as their citizenship is threatened and her sentence is deliberated.

The film rings with a poignant sense of adolescent rage and her-alds Deraspe’s most accomplished directorial venture to date. In 2009, Deraspe’s VITAL SIGNS won the Borsos Award for Best Canadian Feature. We welcome her back with this her latest, deeply moving and stylistically audacious film, which won Best Canadian Film at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and will represent Canada in the Foreign Language category at this year’s Oscars.

“…an emotionally direct and electrifying drama” Stephen Saito, The Moveable Fest

“10/10..this film touched and awed me so much…Open your mind, open your heart, and go see this film.” Plupu66

Best Canadian Feature


Canada’s Selection for Best Foreign Language film, Oscars 2020.

SPOTLIGHT

THURSDAY 10:00 AM | Rainbow Theatre

SATURDAY5:30 PM | Village 8 - Theatre 6

CANADIAN PREMIERE

THE ARTIST’S WIFEUnited States | 2019 | 94 minutes

Director: Tom DolbyExecutive Producer: Payton DunhamProducers: Tom Dolby, Susanne Filkins, Mike S. Ryan, Abdi NazemianWritten By: Tom Dolby, Nicole Brending, Abdi NazemianCast: Lena Olin, Bruce DernCinematographer: Ryan Earl ParkerEditing: Gena BleierProduction Designer: John El Manahi Composer: Jeff Grace Distributor: MK2Mile End

Bruce Dern plays an acclaimed abstract expressionist painter who is preparing for what may be his last gallery show. After a series of uncharacteristic erratic outbursts lead to his dismissal from his art college teaching position, it emerges that early onset Alzheimer’s disease has begun to take hold. His irascible moods impede his ability to put paint to canvas, triggering a battle with a creative block that threatens his very reason for living.

Navigating these uncharted waters alongside him is his forbear-ing younger Swedish wife Claire, played by the talented Lena Olin, most vividly remembered for her sizzling performance in THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING (1988). After a life spent priori-tising her husband’s artistic fulfilment at the expense of her own, Claire finds herself isolated and pondering the ambition she sac-rificed, as Richard’s dementia threatens to reduce him to some-one she barely recognises. Her character gradually shifts to the fore of the narrative as she adjusts to her new marital landscape and revisits her own long-stifled creative frustrations.

Two extraordinarily moving performances show a great versatili-ty in Dern, hitting a number of different notes with moving glimps-es of Richard’s warm personality shining through his illness, and Olin matching Dern beat for beat with seamless dramatic intuity.

AMERICAN INDIES

A thoughtfully curated selection of independent American features tell stories in unconventional ways far removed from the studio tradition.

53

CANADIAN PREMIERE



FRIDAY 5:30 PM | Village 8 - Theatre 5



RANGE RUNNERSUnited States | 2019 | 111 minutes

Director: Philip S. PlowdenProducers: Christian Crocker, RoseMary ProdonovichProduction Company: Fatal Funnel FilmsWritten By: Devon ColwellCast: Celeste M. Cooper, Sean Patrick Leonard, Michael B. Woods, Tiffany Renee Johnson, Sarah Charipar, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mariah GordonCinematographer: Darryl MillerEditing: Michael Thomas James

A promising young endurance athlete on a 2,200-mile trail run through the remote Appalachian mountains encounters two men who present themselves as lost novice hikers. Whilst they do appear ill-equipped to cope with the outdoors, holes in their stories quickly arouse Mel’s suspicion. It soon emerges that the duo are on the run in the wake of some undisclosed misdemea-nour, and in a violent episode steal Mel’s backpack containing everything she needs to survive.

Left her to fend for herself, it will take all of her mettle and wilder-ness savvy to fight back and reclaim what is hers. Exactly the sort of high-octane wilderness action movie that Whistler audiences will relish, you may be reminded of Jason Goode’s winter wilder-ness thriller NUMB, the exciting ode to TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE that closed our festival in 2015.

“*** The film is a survival story that takes hold of its audience from the very beginning and wastes no time unfolding (…) The direc-tion is impressive and accomplished…despite being his first fea-ture film.” Nick Adrian, Cineccentric

VIVARIUMUnited States | 2019 | 97 minutes

Director: Lorcan FinneganProduction Companies: Ping Pong Film, Frakas Productions, Fantastic FilmsWritten By: Garret ShanleyCast: Imogen Poots, Jesse Eisenberg, Jonathan ArisCinematographer: MacgregorEditing: Tony CranstounProduction Designer: Philip Murphy VFX Supervisor: Peter HjorthComposer: Kristian Eides Andersen Distributor: Mongrel Media

A thought-provoking tale of suburban ennui set within a fan-tasy framework, Lorcan Finnegan’s dramatically artificial satire follows a young couple’s search for their ideal suburban home. First-time prospective buyers Tom (Jesse Eisenberg) and Gemma (Imogen Poots) are attracted to Yonder, an exceedingly uniform housing development where even the sky overhead somehow appears to maintain its idyllic cotton-ball clouds.

The visit takes a turn when their oddball real estate agent sud-denly disappears and their increasingly desperate attempts to escape are answered with an insidious domestic ultimatum in the form of a baby delivered to their doorstep. Tom and Gemma gradually resign themselves to their sentence in their life-sized cage, where any neighbours may as well be invisible and no blade of grass is ever out of place. The narrative evolves into a witty parody of traditional gender-based family roles as the couple struggles to maintain a hold on reality in their forcibly ‘normal’ domestic prison.

“VIVARIUM holds many surprises and equally messed up images to make it a rich script…through focused storytelling, expansive imagination and some calibrated madness, VIVARIUM becomes a wild ride.” Nick Allen, RogerEbert.com

Critics’ Week, Cannes Film Festival

Fantasia Film Festival

AMERICAN INDIES


SATURDAY2:00 PM | Village 8 - Cinema 5


DREAMLANDCanada, Luxembourg, Belgium | 2019 | 92 minutes

Director: Bruce McDonaldExecutive Producers: Rob Merilees, Jim Sherry, Michael Robson, Morris RuskinProducers: Amber Ripley, Jesus Gonzalez, Sebastian SchelenzProduction Companies: Goodbye Productions, Calach Films, Velvet FilmsWritten By: Tony Burgess, Patrick WhistlerCast: Stephen McHattie, Henry Rollins, Juliette LewisCinematographer: Richard Van Oosterhout Editing: Duff SmithComposer: Jonathan Goldsmith Production Designer: Florence Vercheval, Eugenie Collet

The last time legacy Borsos award-winning director Bruce Mc-Donald and writer Tony Burgess collaborated on a fictional film was PONTYPOOL (2008). The pair have joined forces once again, this time to tell a tale so surreal it must be seen to be believed.

The fateful night in question begins with a gang boss direct-ing his private assassin to retrieve the finger of an over-the-hill jazz musician, with Stephen McHattie sinking his teeth into the roles of both the assassin and his target. The bizarre wedding at which the film’s climax unfolds may be the most madcap wedding scene in cinematic history. Celebrating the nuptials of a blood-lusting pedophile, darkly comic wedding guests range from violent religious zealots to Nazis with dogs. The result is a tragicomic tale that manages to unnerve and entertain in equal thrilling measure. Juliette Lewis and Black Flag’s Henry Rollins co-starring in this one-of-a-kind fever dream.

“A jazzy, character-driven experience, that will have you walk-ing out of the theatre as if you woke from a powerful dream.” Chris Aitkens, Nightmare on Film Street

“Unpredictable and lovely from start to finish, it’s a gripping mini-odyssey that never loses its sense of humour.” Nick Allen, RogerEbert.com

Fantasia Film Festival

CANADIAN VANGUARD

A selection of cutting-edge features from across the country with an emphasis on stories that resonate, achieved with outstanding performances and fresh directorial vision.

55

CANADIAN PREMIERE

SATURDAY 8:00 PM | Village 8 - Cinema 7

SUNDAY6:00 PM | Village 8 - Cinema 7

THURSDAY 5:00 PM | Village 8 - Cinema 5

FRIDAY1:00 PM | Village 8 - Cinema 5

WORLD PREMIERE

ENTANGLEDCanada | 2019 | 90 minutes

Director: Gaurav SethProducers: Bev Bliss, Jason JalletWritten By: Doug TaylorCast: Paloma Kwiatkowski, Munro Chambers, Robert Naylor, Sandra Mar Frank, Marlee MatlinCinematographer: Ivan GekoffEditing: Alex Coulson

Four brilliant university students experimenting with time travel confront their doppelgangers from the future. One night Loretta is killed in a tragic accident, and reappears five months later with no idea that she is supposed to be dead. What begins as the ulti-mate validation of their quantum physics theories takes a sinister turn when it comes to light that two versions of a person cannot survive in the same plane of existence without one lethally drain-ing energy from the other. So, how do you kill your better half, and who can really be sure which one has triumphed?

Marlee Matlin, the only hearing-impaired actress thus far to win an Oscar for CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD (1986) plays Deirdre, a mother to one of the four students, who quickly finds herself in way over her head. Stylish direction and brilliant scriptwriting will keep you guessing until the very end.

Berlin Sci-Fi Filmfest

HAMMERCanada | 2019 | 81 minutes

Director: Christian SparkesProducers: Allison White, Jonathan Bronfman, Chris Agoston, William WoodsWritten By: Christian SparkesCast: Will Patton, Mark O’Brien

A father goes to extreme lengths to protect his son from low-life drug dealers in this gut-wrenching crime thriller. When ex-con-vict Chris’ (Mark O’Brien) plot to double-cross his drug-dealing partner in crime Adam (Ben Cotton) goes awry, he turns to his dad for help. Will Patton, a character actor with over a hundred screen credits (including ARMAGEDDON, the recent HALLOW-EEN, DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN and AFTER HOURS) plays the father Steven Davis, a stoic survivor and no stranger to tragedy and cruel circumstance beneath the surface of his seemingly quaint suburban existence. His daring actions prove blood is thicker than water when it comes to his less-than-perfect son.

There are indelibly gripping moments in this film, perhaps none more visually haunting than the search for a corpse in a corn-field. Shot in Newfoundland and Sault Ste Marie, this tense and character-driven crime thriller is guaranteed to provide a solid hour and a half of entertainment, elevated by taut direction and an enthralling performance from Patton, who once again proves his mettle as one of the greatest character actors of his generation.

CANADIAN VANGUARD

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BRITISH COLUMBIA PREMIERE




FRIDAY3:30 PM | Village 8 - Theatre 8

CANADIAN PREMIERE

JAMES VS HIS FUTURE SELF Canada | 2019 | 94 minutes

Director: Jeremy LaLondeProducers: Jonas Chernick, Jordan Walker, Jonathan BronfmanWritten By: Jeremy LaLonde, Jonas ChernickCast: Jonas Chernick, Daniel Stern, Cleopatra Coleman, Tommie-Amber Pirie, Frances Conroy

In 2012, Jonas Chernick attended WFF with two films in the Borsos competition: BLOOD PRESSURE and the Audience Award-winning MY AWKWARD SEXUAL ADVENTURE, with SWINGERS’ WEEKEND fol-lowing in 2017. Director Jeremy Lalonde is also a familiar talent, previously bringing us the perilously funny SEX AFTER KIDS (2013) and HOW TO PLAN AN ORGY IN A SMALL TOWN (2015). Chernick and Lalonde are masters of eroticomedy with a penchant for writ-ing nerds as central characters, and we welcome the return of Canada’s most inventive creative comedy team to Whistler.

Their latest joint venture centers on a time-traveling obses-sive-compulsive young scientist visited by his nihilistic future self. Future James warns his current self to abandon time-travel be-fore his life erodes in catastrophe, and present James entertains his futuristic visitor for a while - until he begins to imagine that his secret crush and best friend Courtney prefers his high-energy doppelganger. What follows is a comic Freudian battle that al-lows Chernick to play both his trademark neurotic persona and to explore a much more hipster version of himself. As with all of Lalonde and Chernick’s cinematic ventures, laugh-out-loud entertainment is guaranteed.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival (Winner Best Canadian Feature Film, Best Sci-Fi Film, Best Supporting Actor - Daniel Stern, Audi-ence Award Best Feature Film Bronze)

Sudbury Cinefest

Opening Film, Edmonton Film Festival

Calgary International Film Festival

VOLITIONCanada | 2019 | 92 minutes

Director: Tony Dean SmithExecutive Producer: Lawrence “Paly” PalestrantProducers: Tony Dean Smith, Ryan SmithProduction Companies: Paly Productions, Smith Brothers Film CompanyWritten By: Ryan SmithCast: Adrian Glynn McMorran, Magda Apanowicz, John Cassini, Frank Cassini, Aleks Paunovic, Bill MarchantCinematographer: Byron KopmanEditing: Tony Dean SmithProduction Designer: Tony Durke

A streetwise clairvoyant attempts to alter his fate after witness-ing a disturbing premonition of his own murder. James has been able to see disjointed flashes of the future for as long as he can remember and is resigned to the belief that fate has more con-trol over his life than his own free will. Used to using his talent to trump sports bets and occasionally hired out by petty criminals to lend clarity to their low-level illicit operations, he is troubled when he sees that his grisly demise is linked to a diamond heist. Love interest Angela comes into play after James saves her from a street assault and gives James a new reason to tread cautious-ly. The film plays with notions of time and space, akin to Chris-topher Nolan’s MEMENTO, but without confusing the audience beyond comprehension.

“VOLITION [is] an ingenious product as much of optimistic will as of entrapping design, with a miraculous, impossible ending.” Anton Bitel, SciFi Now

“VOLITION is an exceptional genre flick with a sh*t ton of ideas and the limitless heart to express them in a way that charms rath-er than bulldozes.*****” Bradley Hadcroft, The People’s Movies

Best Feature, the 2019 Philip K. Dick Film Festival

CANADIAN VANGUARD




BLACK CONFLUXCanada | 2019 | 100 minutes

Director: Nicole DorseyExecutive Producers: Martin Paul-Hus, Nicole DorseyProducers: Michael Solomon, Mark O’NeillProduction Companies: Band With Pictures, Panoramic PicturesWritten By: Nicole DorseyCast: Ella Ballentine, Ryan McDonald, Luke Bilyk, Olivia Scrivens, Sofia BanzhafCinematographer: Marie DavignonEditing: Sophie LeblondProduction Designer: Melanie Garros

Set in Newfoundland in 1987, BLACK CONFLUX tells the unsettling story of two disillusioned souls: fifteen-year-old Jackie, lost among her friends and trying to find herself, and social outsider and brew-ery worker Dennis, who harbours a vitriolic masculine entitlement that betrays him in brutish outbursts. Jackie embarks on a rebel-lious streak of partying and playing truant, unknowingly setting herself on a collision course with insular loner Dennis whose incel impulses reign supreme on solo drives steeped in fantasy.

First-time filmmaker Nicole Dorsey commands the suspenseful el-ements leading to the climactic encounter between these two damaged souls. Previously a participant in the Women in the Di-rector’s Chair program at WFF, Dorsey triumphs with this stunning directorial debut, producing an intuitive reflection of the myriad societal pressures inflicted on both sexes by the impulses of toxic masculinity.

“…keeps the audience engaged, invested and interested in the journey to the climax. It’s a great debut feature for Dorsey.” Sean Taylor, Cinema Axis

“…a constant visual delight…a smart rebuke to the misogynis-tic mechanics of thriller convention.” Stephen Dalton, The Holly-wood reporter


DISCOVERIES

Seeking to unearth the exceptions, the quirky and the unforgettable, these stories will surprise, move and resonate with audiences long after they have left the theatre.

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THURSDAY 1:00 PM | Maury Young Arts Centre



SUNDAY 4:00 PM | Village 8 - Theatre 6

ENGLISH CANADIAN PREMIERE

FROM THE VINECanada, Italy | 2019 | 98 minutes

Italian and English with English subtitles

Director: Sean CisternaExecutive Producer: Ken CancellaraProducers: Francesco Papa, Kyle Bornais, Paula BrancatiProduction Company: Mythic Productions Inc.Written By: Willem WennekersCast: Joe Pantoliano, Wendy Crewson, Marco Leonardi, Paula BrancatiCinematographer: Scott McClellanEditing: Andrew Wall

Following the successful premiere of KISS AND CRY at WFF in 2017, we return to the sun-dappled Italian old country, albeit for a markedly different story this time around. Joe Pantoliano stars as Mark Gentile, a downtrodden CEO who escapes to his small town birthplace in rural Italy to catch his breath and re-assess his priorities. During his visit he encounters his late grand-father’s old vineyard, dormant for many years but for the few bottles the local groundskeeper raises alone.

Inspired by the small town of Acerenza and reinvigorated af-ter connecting with his estranged family, Mark’s journey of re-demption and reconnection shows that the grape never falls far from the vine. FROM THE VINE features a wonderfully warm performance from Emmy awarding-winning actor Joe Panto-liano (RISKY BUSINESS, THE MATRIX, BAD BOYS, MEMENTO, SO-PRANOS and many more).

Best Film, IC Savings Award

Italian Contemporary Film Festival

GUILT (LE COUPABLE)Canada | 2019 | 76 minutes


Director: Onur KaramanProducers: Onur KaramanWritten By: Onur KaramanCast: Sylvio Arriola, Isabelle Guerard, Camille MassicotteCinematographer: Simon Lamarre-Ledeoux Editing: Onur Karaman

This story is a brilliant dissection of evil in our world today. What can you do when your sixteen-year-old daughter, Cassandra, thinks she has fallen in love, only her boyfriend Jynx is a pimp, and is gradually converting her into a world of smoking crack, snorting coke and turning tricks? Counterbalancing this familiar if tawdry storyline are the lectures a college philosophy profes-sor is giving to his mostly indifferent students about the nature of moral culpability. Frederic asks “If you find money on the street, do you try to return it to its rightful owner? What if you find it in a wallet? Do you just return the credit cards?”

Isabelle Guérard plays Lose, Cassandra’s mother and a support staff worker at Frederic’s institution. The questions and provoca-tions that follow offer a deeply considered reflection on what governs the morality of the individual in public versus behind closed doors. Turkish-born filmmaker Onur Karaman’s inspiration for tackling this subject matter was a news story involving an attack by two men on a defenceless pitbull. Feeling that their actions were demonstrative of man’s ultimate incapability to govern our most innate impulses, the resulting film explores the complex issues of morality and ethics never too far from the sur-face of our societal facades. GUILT is a self-funded labour of love at once moving and mesmerizing. Don’t be guilty of missing it.

“A film about spirituality, grey zones and the conflict between the soul and the fragile process of reason. ****” Élie Castiel, Re-vue Séquences

DISCOVERIES

Our PromiseWe actively seek out suppliers we trust, to source ethical, sustainable and organic ingredients wherever possible.

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beef carpaccio with truffle aioli

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buddha bowl with albacore tuna

61

DISCOVERIES

CANADIAN PREMIERE





ENGLISH CANADIAN PREMIERE

WE HAD IT COMINGCanada | 2019 | 85 minutes

Director: Paul BarbeauProducer: Paul BarbeauCast: Natalie Krill, Alexia Fast, Erin Agostino, Sarah-Anne Parent, Nabil KhatibDistributor: MK2Mile End

Two BC-based actresses star in this disturbing English-language movie from Quebec. On losing a loved one to prostitution, lethal drug abuse and eventually suicide, a grief-stricken sister and her relatively new girlfriend resolve to track down the pimp they hold responsible. Their journey takes them to Montreal, where they encounter the young madame who recruits girls into her nefari-ous underworld.

Stylistic directorial choices lend the film’s themes a cinematic dimension, an illustrative example being the facelessness of the pimp through most of the film serving as damning visual attes-tation to the faceless, evanescent world of sex trafficking. His threatening invocations echo as his whispers to each desper-ate woman vacillate between baseless sweet nothings and bone-chilling threats. Atrocities and violence are shot from long point-of-view angles, a distancing technique making the crimes all the more horrific. The film suggests that all men are complicit to some extent in the quagmire of toxic masculinity that perme-ates contemporary society like a coating of slime. This is artful filmmaking of the highest order, offering a fresh take on a sto-ry that is all too common in today’s world. Co-stars Natalie Krill, who was in the 2016 WFF film, BELOW HER MOUTH.

APAPACHO: A CARESS FOR THE SOULCanada | 2019 | 89 minutes


Director: Marquise LepageCast: Laurence Leboeuf, Fanny Mallette, Sofia Espinosa, Arturo Rios, Eu-génie Beaudry, Gabriel Sabourin, Myriam LeBlanc, Felix Baltimore BeltránCinematographer: Nathalie Moliavko-Visotzky

Mourning the death of their sister, Karine and Estelle find solace in a small mountain town in Mexico and witness the community’s preparations for the ‘Day of the Dead’. In this isolated yet vibrant pocket of Mexico, they observe the remembering of those who have passed from a new perspective. United in their grief but with somewhat polarized personalities, the sisters at times strug-gle to be fully present for each other.

As they remember their lost sister, we are introduced to the woman they lost via snippets of video messages left before she passed. As they make home with the locals, an inner peace slowly gets to work on their grieving souls. Their hosts come to serve as their spiritual guides, contextualizing their rituals and showing the curious sisters how to honour a passing life with joy and happiness rather than sadness and mourning.

The film is a joyous ode to rebirth and examines the complexities of sisterhood. APAPACHO is the Mexican term for an affection-ate hug, which this film provides for the soul in abundance.

“Marquise Lepage is one of Quebec’s most talented directors.” The Montreal Gazette

DOC BLOC

Thought-provoking documentary features that explore off-beat stories and shine a light on cultural issues from Canada and across the world.



WORLD PREMIERE

ALONE ACROSS THE ARCTICCanada | 2019 | 86 minutes

Director: Francis LutaExecutive Producer: Jeremy BenningProducers: Jeremy Benning, Barclay MaudeWritten By: Francis Luta, Adam ShoaltsCast: Adam ShoaltsCinematographer: Martin Wojtunik, Mike Reid, Jeremy BenningEditing: Francis Luta

Acclaimed explorer Adam Shoalts brings a canoe, his full reper-toire of wilderness survival skills and copious amounts of insect re-pellent on an extraordinary trek across 4,000 kilometres of the re-mote North. The intrepid Shoalts aims to cross the breadth of the northernmost wilds of the country, from the Yukon to Nunavut in a race against the elements: he must navigate treacherous and uncharted waterways before the onset of winter renders the terrain impassable. Along the way Shoalts thoughtfully observes desolate cabins and telltale signs of previous expeditions gone awry, their remnants preserved in permafrost. Some more come-dic episodes include a tent hole that leads to an interminable overnight bug invasion. And who knew there was more vitamin C to be gained from boiling fir needles than eating an orange?

Shoalts demonstrates the extent of his knowledge of the natural world and the mettle of his conviction whilst capturing the ma-jority of the film’s footage on a Sony AX100 and GoPro, with di-rector Francis Luta dropping in only three times over four-month journey to secure beauty shots and replenish supplies. Dubbed one of the greatest living explorers and ‘Canada’s Indiana Jones’ by the Toronto Star, in 2016 Shoalts was named a national champion of the Trans-Canada Trail and in 2018 Explorer-in-Resi-dence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. A must-see for anyone who has ever considered a wilderness adventure in the Far North!

63

DOC BLOC

WORLD PREMIERE






CLOSING THE GAP: HOCKEY IN NORTH KOREACanada | 2019 | 68 minutes

Director: Nigel EdwardsExecutive Producers: Rob Merilees, Rob LaBelleProducers: Nigel Edwards, Sky Morfopoulos, Devan Francis, Matthew Reichel, Sunny Hahm, Michael RohProduction Companies: Windowbox Media Ltd., Foundation FeaturesWritten By: Nigel Edwards, Matthew ReichelCast: Kim Hyok Ju , An Chol Hyok , Hong Chun Rim Cinematographer: Nigel Edwards, Devan FrancisEditing: Nigel Edwards, Tom Malenica

A Vancouver-based documentary team is granted unprece-dented access to North Korea’s national ice hockey squad as they prepare to compete in an international tournament in New Zealand. This is the first recorded account of foreign nationals gaining access to any North Korean sports club, with the film-makers capturing every conceivable aspect of the team’s gru-elling journey over a two-year period.

On camera, the team are uniform in their commitment to the party line: bringing glory to their supreme ruler, Kim Jong Un. But as the competition begins, some façades begin to crack. At a marked physical disadvantage, coming up short with antiquat-ed equipment and with some players sustaining serious injuries at perilously early stages, their prospects of success appear bleak, and defeat is not an option these athletes can easily entertain. A fascinating and at times almost poetic look behind the iron curtain that is North Korea, through the lens of Canada’s favou-rite sport.

NAIL IN THE COFFIN: THE FALL AND RISE OF VAMPIROCanada | 2019 | 90 minutes

Director: Michael PasztExecutive Producers: Gregor Habsburg, Jacquelyn Frisco, Andrew Hunt, James FlerProducers: Pasha Patriki, Maye Ornelas, Bruno MarinoProduction Company: Hangar 18 MediaWritten By: Michael PasztCast: Ian HodgkinsonCinematographer: Pasha PatrikiEditing: Danny Palmer

NAIL IN THE COFFIN reveals one of Mexico’s top wrestling stars, The Canadian Vampire, as a doting father and pensive individ-ual. Ian Hodgkinson (Vampiro) tells of how his illicit gang activity in his youth in Montreal would have ended in a prison sentence had it not been for his unprecedented success in the oddball world of Mexican wrestling, aka lucha libre.

Skip forward to the close of an illustrious career and not only does Hodgkinson’s battered body bear the legacy of innumer-able bouts in the ring, but devastatingly dementia begins to set in, arguably as a result of years of head trauma. He attempts to step back from the ring, but accepts a fight and risks serious inju-ry for a potential pay-out to put towards his daughters’ college journey. Hodgkinson’s increasingly distressed condition makes her leaving an emotional touchpoint.

Director Michael Paszt of Raven Banner has pulled off not only a geek’s deep dive into the crazy world of Mexican wrestling, but also a touching story of paternal love and the lengths this father will go to in providing for his daughter.

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5DEC 4

67

DOC BLOC



WORLD PREMIERE

PANDORA’S BOX: LIFTING THE LID ON MENSTRUATIONCanada | 2019 | 75 minutes

Director: Rebecca SnowExecutive Producer: Carinne Chambers-SainiProducers: Aine Corby, Cait Martin Newnham Production Companies: IR Films, Media One CreativeCast: Jennifer Weiss Wolf, Elissa Stein, Cristine Khamasi, Hellen Atteno Odour, Madame Gandhi , Sarika Gupta, Kenny Jones, Gemma Abbott, Rachel KrengelCinematographer: Sarah Thomas MoffattEditing: Sara Cabrera AragonComposer: Janal Bechthold Distributor: Entertainment One

Subtitled “Lifting the Lid on Menstruation”, this sometimes cheeky but always thoughtful exploration of issues surrounding wom-en’s menstrual cycles takes a trip around the world, showing how patriarchal attitudes have led to women’s oppression and marginalisation. Superstitious practices and stigmas still pervade in many religious belief systems and cultures today, from social ostracisation to violent practices like female genital mutilation.

In India, bringing accessible menstruation products to the mil-lions of women living in poverty without these basic amenities seems an insurmountable challenge. The documentary refer-ences the popular Bollywood movie PADMAN, which tells the true story of L. Chauhan, an Indian inventor of a machine capa-ble of churning out inexpensive sanitary pads for the many lower caste Indian women relying on rags to manage their periods. Shot on location in India, Kenya, Uganda and the UK, PANDO-RA’S BOX shines a light on the astounding reality that in an age in which we are demanding gender equality like never before, no major narrative has dared to tackle what is still a controversial subject for so many.

WHISTLER PREMIERE


SATURDAY 11:00 AM | Rainbow Theatre

ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BANDCanada | 2019 | 100 minutes

Director: Daniel RoherExecutive Producers: Peter Raymont, Martin Scorsese, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Randy Lennox, Dave Harris, Jared Levine, Jeffrey Remedios, Justin Wilkes, Sara Bernstein, Justin Wilkes, Michael Rosenberg, Michael Levine, Steve OrdProducers: Peter Raymont, Stephen Paniccia, Andrew Munger, Sam Sutherland, Lana Belle MauroCast: Robbie Robertson, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Haw-kins, Van Morrison, Dominique RobertsonCinematographer: Kiarash SadighEditing: Eamonn O’Connor, Daniel Roher

What begins as a history of one of America’s most influential rock bands expands to chronicle the film’s own creative trajectory and touch on the history of American rock ‘n roll itself, including The Band’s backing of Bob Dylan as he transitioned from folk hero to electric guitars, introducing his controversially-received new sound across America. Robbie Robertson, the largely unchal-lenged primary subject, recalls the unconventional method to The Band’s way of making music, in total opposition to the usual ritual of going into a studio and knocking off an album.

Living communally in a pink house in Woodstock, New York, the Band members were actually close friends in the beginning who collaborated and lived a musical lifestyle together. Unfortunate-ly, hard drugs entered into the equation and bitterness and di-visiveness splintered the group, but not before Scorsese shot THE LAST WALTZ (1978), arguably, along with STOP MAKING SENSE (1984) among the finest concert films of all time. Robertson’s Ca-nadian and First Nations roots are duly noted, not to mention his own ambitions as a songwriter and producer. In a rare change of policy, this Canadian documentary opened this year’s Toron-to Film Festival to great acclaim.





BODY & BONESCanada | 2019 | 97 minutes

Director: Melanie OatesProducer: Chris HatcherProduction Company: Chara Pictures Written By: Melanie OatesCast: Kelly Van Der Burg, Joel Thomas HynesCinematographer: Jordan KenningtonEditing: James Vandewater

Despondent teenager Tess (Kelly Van Den Burg) remains taciturn and overwrought with grief years after the death of her moth-er. Her sole source of solace is the music of Danny Sharpe (Joel Thomas Hynes), a local musician who left the St Johns’ scene twenty years ago. When the vagabond musician unexpectedly returns to the small town, their connection stimulates an indelible transformation in Tess. What begins as an uneasy friendship esca-lates into a relationship fuelled by Tess’ infatuation and marred by her idol’s cruelty, as the rudderless youngster desperately at-tempts to mold herself into something desirable to a calculating loner seemingly incapable of empathy.

Newfoundland-based director Melanie Oates has previous-ly worked on five short features and in 2017 was chosen to participate in WFF’s Women in the Director’s Chair Story and Leadership Program. Her lead actor, Joel Thomas Hynes, is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter and musician, who picked up the award for Best Actor at this year’s Atlantic Film Festival and starred in the WFF17 hit HUNTING PIGNUT.

“Wow—this is some fine first feature (…) You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll applaud like mad.” St John’s International Women’s Film Festival

Best Actor, Joel Thomas Hynes

Atlantic Film Festival

NEW VOICES

WFF prides itself on showcasing quality first and second features from the most promising of emerging filmmakers. These are the new voices that will form the vanguard of the next generation of storytellers.

69

WORLD PREMIERE


FRIDAY3:00 PM | Village 8 - Theatre 5



WORLD PREMIERE

FALL BACK DOWNCanada | 2019 | 104 minutes

Director: SB EdwardsProducer: SB EdwardsWritten By: SB EdwardsCast: Kira Clavell, Andrew Dunbar, Paula Shaw, Aadila Dosani, Omari Newton, Jacky Lai, Raj Lal, Kalvin Olafson, Donia Kash, Joe Keithley, Rob Hakesley, Seth Ranaweera, Nixon James

This may be Canada’s first punk rock love story. Nick had been involved in the black-bloc anarchist movement, inspired in part by a beautiful girlfriend who was committed to the cause. When she abandons him, he feels directionless and depressed and gets a job in a garment sweatshop. There, Nick crosses paths with the quirky Reena and together they make a rather grim discovery, leading to their uncovering the mystery of a missing co-worker. Reena and Nick make for an odd but charismatic couple. He’s all punk swagger and she’s all street smart and sarcastic. Complications ensue when Lizzie, Nick’s ex-girlfriend, shows up wanting to rekindle their affair.

Propelled by a great punk rock soundtrack, this film features such luminaries as Joe Keithley, frontman of the Canadian punk band DOA and slam poet and playwright Omari Newton. This is a first feature from S.B. Edwards, an alumni of Whistler Film Festi-val’s 2018 Women on Top Mentorship program. A fresh voice on the scene, this Vancouver-based dual New Zealand/Canadian director seems focused on telling stories about the marginalized and the outcasts in our society. Her fresh take on young love represents exactly the kind of new voice that Whistler wishes to champion.

QUEEN OF THE MORNING CALMCanada | 2019 | 86 minutes

Director: Gloria Ui Young KimExecutive Producers: Carol Whiteman, Sonya Di RienzoProducer: Gloria Ui Young KimProduction Companies: Gloryous Productions, Hawkeye Pictures (in association with)Written By: Gloria Ui Young KimCast: Tina Jung, Eponine Lee, Jesse Lavercombe, Shaun Benson, Zahra BenthamCinematographer: Dmitry Lopatin, Dmitry LopatinEditing: Michelle Szemberg, Orlee Buium

Tina Jung (of CBC’s Kim’s Convenience) gives a moving perfor-mance as Debra, a mother struggling to balance maintaining her dignity with the needs of her daughter, Mona, and her love for Mona’s semi-absent addict father. Inspired by events in her own life, director Gloria Ui Young Kim spent eleven years getting this story from script to screen, winning the WFF Women in the Di-rector’s Chair Feature Film award for this feature project in 2016.

QUEEN OF THE MORNING CALM is a refreshing and triumphant presentation of a young woman’s resolve to escape a seemingly interminable cycle of poverty and abuse - a cycle that sadly dominates the experience of so many immigrant sex workers in Canada. It holds the potential to stimulate meaningful conver-sations about the exploitation of sex workers that has become rampant in Canada in recent years.

NEW VOICES

Araxi Restaurant + Oyster BarBest Whistler Gold ‘17 - Vancouver MagazineApres 3pm-5pm | Bar 3pm-late | Dinner from 5pm110 - 4222 Village Square604 932 4540 | araxi.com

The Cellar by AraxiPrivate events for 60+ guests150 - 4222 Village Square604 932 4540 | thecellarbyaraxi.com

Bar OsoSpanish-influenced tapas, craft cocktailsBest Whistler Bronze ‘17 - Vancouver MagazineLunch from 11:30am | Apres from 3pm | Dinner from 5pm150 - 4222 Village Square604 962 4540 | baroso.ca

POWDER DAYS ARE BACK. YOUR MOUNTAIN HIGH DINING EXPERIENCES AWAIT.

Araxi: Roots to Shoots, Farm Fresh RecipesCookbook Authored by Executive Chef James Walt

71

BRITISH COLUMBIA PREMIERE


SATURDAY2:15 PM | Maury Young Arts Centre



CANADIAN PREMIERE

THE REST OF USCanada | 2019 | 80 minutes

Director: Aisling Chin-yeeExecutive Producers: Damon D’Oliveira, Patrice TherouxProducers: Katie Nolan, William Woods, Emma Fleury, Lindsay TapscottWritten By: Alanna FrancisCast: Heather Graham, Sophie Nelisse, Jodie Balfour, Abigail PniowskyEditing: Véronique BarbeProduction Designer: Thea HollatDistributor: Level Film

Children’s author and illustrator Cami (Heather Graham) pains-takingly rebuilt her life after her husband Craig abandoned her and her unruly teenage daughter, Aster (Sophie Nélisse). In the wake of his unexpected passing, newly widowed mistress-turned-wife Rachel (Jody Balfour) and her young daughter face eviction from what was once Cami and Craig’s family home. In a spontaneous bout of empathy Cami invites the pair to move into a trailer on her property, to save them from sleeping in Ra-chel’s car. Unsurprisingly the two Moms don’t exactly get along, and the young half-sisters have their share of differences too.

Aisling Chin-Yee’s directorial debut, having previously produced RHYMES FOR YOUNG GHOULS (2013) is a thoughtful exploration of the complexities of female relationships as these two mothers attempt, not always gracefully, to coexist and raise their daugh-ters and guide them through their unique grief.

“It (…) lets its characters drive the drama, and builds to an explo-sive climax. It works.” Matthew Parkinson, CineMarter

“…her film blossom(s) into an intricate and highly entertaining exploration of female relationships.” T’Cha Dunlevy, The Mon-treal Gazette


THUNDERBIRDCanada | 2019 | 95 minutes

Director: Nicholas TreeshinExecutive Producer: David Brown, Priscilla Smith, Guilia Prenna Producers: Mike Morrison, Gabrielle Adelman, Colten Wilke, Ben Pla-mondonWritten By: Nicholas TreeshinCast: Natalie Brown, Colten Wilke, Aaron Douglas, Julian Black AntelopeCinematographer: Alfonso Chin

This hard-hitting BC-based crime thriller with a supernatural twist is about confronting one’s demons, and choosing what path to follow in life as a result. Reclusive young fisherman William Brook searches for his missing sister in the rugged Pacific Northwest. Af-ter giving false testimony in his parents’ murder trial ten years earlier and sending an innocent local Chief to jail, Brook is far from welcome in the town. His path collides with Detective Ivy Seymour’s investigation into the deaths of over 30 local women. When the body of William’s sister Sarah’s roommate is discov-ered in a gruesome state in the forest, fears that a serial killer may be working the area begin to take hold. After the detective saves William from a brutal beating, the two join forces to track Sarah down before it is too late. As the likelihood of finding his sister alive diminishes, William must confront his past and make amends with the First Nations people whose Chief he betrayed in order to find his own inner peace.

Born in Yellowknife, director Nicholas Treeshin relocated to Van-couver to pursue a career as a lifestyle and documentary film-maker. THUNDERBIRD is his first feature film.

NEW VOICES


SUNDAY1:00 PM | Rainbow Theatre


THE AERONAUTSUnited Kingdom | 2019 | 100 minutes

Director: Tom HarperExecutive Producers: Richard Hewitt, Jack ThorneProducers: Tom Harper, David Hoberman, Todd LiebermanCast: Felicity Jones, Eddie Redmayne, Himesh Patel, Phoebe Fox, Anne Reid, Tom Courtenay, Tim McInnerny, Vincent Perez, Rebecca Front, Robert GlenisterCinematographer: George SteelEditing: Mark EckersleyComposer: Steven PriceProduction Designer: David Hindle, Christian HubandDistributor: Film Nation

Co-stars of THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (WFF in 2014) Eddie Red-mayne and Felicity Jones are reunited in this exhilarating and cinematic period adventure. In late nineteenth-century London, aeronautical entertainer Amilia Wren (Jones) is poised to break the French record for altitude ascended by hot-air balloon. She agrees to fly with burgeoning meteorologist James Glaisher (Redmayne), a pioneer desperate to prove the substance of his weather predic-tion theories to the pompous Victorian scientific community.

As our two heroes ascend over 30,000 feet amid rapidly thinning air and plummeting temperatures, what began as a breathless adventure becomes an elemental fight for survival as they con-fronted with ice, thunderstorms and high winds. Tom Harper, who directed last year’s country music cult-hit WILD ROSE, delivers a heartwarming British period adventure, with strong casting and a particularly engaging lead performance of a fictitious female visionary from Felicity Jones.

“Something worth watching on the biggest possible screen.” Tomris Laffly, Variety

“A thrilling, action-packed, wide vista yarn from the sharp quills of Jack Thorne and director Tom Harper…this is indisputably a crowd-pleaser.” Fionnuala Halligan, Screen Daily

Toronto International Film Festival, Gala

FROM OVERSEAS

Specially selected sometimes subtitled films from foreign lands designed to have maximum appeal to film viewers seeking a quality alternative to English-language fare.

PRESENTED BY:

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FRIDAY9:30 AM | Rainbow Theatre

CANADIAN PREMIERE

THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERSCanada, Denmark | 2019 | 112 minutes

Director: Lorne ScherfigProducers: Sandra Cunningham, Marlene BlenkovWritten By: Lone ScherfigCast: Andrea Riseborough, Zoe Kazan, Caleb Landry Jones, Jay Ba-ruchel, Bill Nighy, David Dencik, Tahar Rahim, Lisa CodringtonCinematographer: Sebastian BlenkovEditing: Cam McLauchlinComposer: Andrew LockingtonProduction Designer: Carol Spier Distributor: Les Filmes Seville

A Danish/Canadian co-production which opened this year’s Berlin Film Festival, THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS tells a story of interconnected lives set during a New York City winter. It takes its title from the Tennessee Williams play A Streetcar Named Desire in which Blanche Dubois utters the timeless line of how she relies on ‘the kindness of strangers’ to get by.

Clara (Zoe Kazan) arrives in New York with two children in tow, on the run from an abusive partner. She has to rely on many kindnesses to navigate the treacherous shoals of her new home, in an enthralling narrative that sees various people drift in and out of her life. The thoughtfully considered cast of characters in-cludes nurse and social activist Alice (Andrea Roseborough); ex-con Marc (Tahar Rahim) who is slowly rebuilding his life working in a Russian restaurant run by Timofey (Bill Nighy); Marc’s pro-bo-no lawyer John (Jay Baruchel); and Jeff (Caleb Landry Jones) who volunteers in Alice’s soup kitchen. Kazan’s luminous perfor-mance anchors this sentimental feel-good movie from the direc-tor of ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS (2002) and AN EDUCATION (2009).

“It is a big-hearted picture.” Wendy Ide, Screen International

Opening Night, Berlin Film Festival

WORLD PREMIERE



CABARETEDominican Republic | 2019 | 112 minutes

Spanish with English Subtitles

Director: Ivan Butler BordasExecutive Producer: Melanie AitkenheadProducers: Ivan Butler Bordas, Ivan Herrera, Juan Martinez VeraProduction Company: FilmicanaWritten By: Ivan Butler Bordas, Tony Rettenmaier, Thomas BerryCast: Adeuri Corniel, Stephane Freiss, Lucie DebayCinematographer: Antonio Riestra Editing: Etienne Boussac

Welcome to the visually stunning universe of competitive kitesurf-ing. Somalia, an unassuming and gifted teen, spends his days on the beaches of the Dominican Republic honing his kite-surfing talents. When the promising young athlete enters a competition with the potential to lift him out of the poverty in which he grew up, he attracts the attention of an ostensibly benevolent Europe-an sponsor with questionable intentions.

Director and Dominican Republic native Ivan Bordas Butler street-cast his lead actor, but you wouldn’t know it from Adeuri Corniel’s performance. Corniel conveys a tangible charisma on screen, and the athletic prowess he showcases has served him well off-screen and since the film’s completion. He has gone on to realise his character’s dreams and become a world champi-on kite-surfer.

Filmed sequences of Corniel taking off among the waves and performing all manner of airborne flips and stunts are a marvel to behold. There is an unconventional and carnivalesque aesthetic to the aerial shots, with scores of kites littering the blue azure sky and skimming the emerald waves below. A sports-film unlike any you have ever seen, from a region rarely featured on the big screen.

FROM OVERSEAS

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FROM OVERSEAS

CANADIAN PREMIERE




SUNDAY11:00 AM | Rainbow Theatre


LOCUSTSAustralia | 2019 | 85 minutes

Director: Heath DavisExecutive Producers: Angus Watts, David WhealyProducers: Angus WattsProduction Company: Closereef ProductionsWritten By: Angus WattsCast: Benjamin Geurens, Jessica Mcnamee, Nathaniel Dean, Justin Rosniak Watts, Steve Le Marquand, Andy McPheeCinematographer: Chris BlandEditing: Angus Watts, Romain Mongin, Scott Gray, Angus Watts

When Ben returns to his remote outback village, Serenity Cross-ing, for the funeral of his father, it forces him to re-establish con-tact with his estranged brother. Before you know it, a gang of violent thugs get him involved in an extortion scam.

This film is a gritty, well-paced neo-noir thriller done Aussie-style. Its atmospherics derives from the fact that it was shot in Broken Hill, Australia, on some of the same roads used for MAD MAX 2. The performances are all strong, and the film has enough curve-balls and violent action to keep you on the edge of your seat. It brings to mind the 1971 Ted Kotcheff directed OUTBACK (aka WAKE IN FRIGHT) with Donald Pleasence. But this one has its own special way of spooking you out, presenting remote parts of Aus-tralia as isolated pockets where human malevolence is allowed to flourish. This will satisfy anyone longing for a bit of Down Under film noir action.

“…sweats and grunts with good pace and plenty of character.” Bryn Tilly, Cult Projections.

“… inventively shot and highly entertaining…” Erin Free, FilmInk

“The best thing about LOCUSTS is that’s it’s different.” Izrin Ariff, FilmBunker

Perth International Film Festival

ORDINARY LOVEUnited Kingdom | 2019 | 92 minutes

Directors: Glenn Leyburn, Lisa Barros D’SaExecutive Producers: Rene Besson, Mark Huffam, Phil Hunt, Compton Ross, Elliot Ross, Fenella RossProducers: David Holmes, Piers Tempest, Brian FalconerWritten By: Owen McCaffertyCast: Liam Neeson, Lesley Manville, David Wilmot, Amit ShahCinematographer: Piers McGrailEditing: Nick EmersonProduction Designer: Nigel PollockDistributor: Level Film

With Liam Neeson’s career-defining performances in action franchises such as TAKEN and STAR WARS, it is refreshing to be reminded of how great an actor he is outside of this genre. Hear-kening back to such films as SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993) and Martin Scorsese’s SILENCE (2016), ORDINARY LOVE showcases Neeson at his introspective best as a devastated husband coping with his wife’s breast cancer diagnosis. He stars alongside the equally talented Leslie Manville, a mainstay of Mike Leigh films such as TOPSY TURVY (1999) and SECRET AND LIES (1996). The couple at the centre of the story share a touching relationship, nurtured over years of commitment and compromise, and to watch them navigate this life-altering diagnosis illuminates the transcendent yet inevitably finite capabilities of even the most mutually self-less relationship. Compassionate acting and a subtle script lend heart-rending realism to this quietly turbulent emotional drama.

“An achingly intimate portrait of a marriage weathering a storm… what shines is the combination of Owen McCafferty’s stingingly honest screenplay and the two lovely, emotionally tex-tured central performances.” Wendy Ide, Screen Daily


London Film Festival

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MOUNTAIN CULTURE

CANADIAN PREMIERE



WORLD PREMIERE

ACCIDENTAL CLIMBERUnited States | 2019 | 67 minutes

Director: Steven OrittProducers: Corey Bobker, John NguyenProduction Company: James Lucy ProductionsCast: Jim Geiger, Jim GeigerCinematographer: Steven Oritt, Thom PollardEditing: Zeke Piestrup, Khalil Anderson

This documentary follows subject Jim Geiger’s courageous at-tempt, at age 68, to become the oldest American to climb Mount Everest. The film chronicles his efforts with due acknowl-edgement of the support received from Everest’s illustrious sher-pas, whose efforts are all too often underplayed in these perilous expeditions. A great companion piece to this year’s THE CLIMB-ERS, also shot on location on Mount Everest. Geiger will be in attendance to inspire us all.

*ACCIDENTAL CLIMBER will be screening in a double bill with SKI LEGENDS (Dir. Lois Neu, 26 mins, Canada).

SKI LEGENDSCanada | 2019 | 26 minutes

Director: Lois NeuProducer: Lois NeuProduction Company: Orange Lily Productions Written By: Lois NeuCast: Owen Owens, Grace Oaks, Charlie BunceEditing: Teresa Lopez

Featuring location footage shot in Whistler, director Lois Neu showcases the vigour of a trio of elderly Alpine skiers in their re-spective North American ski communities. The grace of Neu’s subjects and the joy they express as they recall tales of their al-pine achievements makes for uplifting viewing, in an inspirational portrait of how skiing forges a connection between people and mountain that transcends age.

*SKI LEGENDS will be screening in a double bill with ACCIDENTAL CLIMBER (Dir. Steven Oritt, 66.5 mins, United States).

DOUBLE BILL

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MOUNTAIN CULTURE

WHISTLER PREMIERE

FRIDAY 11:45 AM | Rainbow Theatre


FRIDAY 8:45 PM | Maury Young Arts Centre

SATURDAY 9:00 AM | Rainbow Theatre

CANADIAN PREMIERE

THE CLIMBERSChina | 2019 | 123 minutes

Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles

Director: Daniel LeeExecutive Producer: Zhonglun RenProducers: Tsui HarkWritten By: Ah LaiCast: Wu Jing, Zhang Ziyi, Yi Zhang, Jing Boran, Hu GeCinematographer: Tony CheungDistributor: Well Go USA

The most spectacular mountain climbing movie of the year comes from China. In 1960, a Chinese expedition encountered perilous obstacles in an attempt to scale the famed North Face of Mount Everest. After surviving an avalanche but losing their team leader, the three remaining climbers made it to the top, only to have their death-defying story met with scornful disbelief in the international community. With nothing to verify their tale after losing their camera to the avalanche, the Chinese Nation-al Mountaineering team was soon disbanded with the surviving climbers quickly falling out of the public eye and into obscurity.

Years on in 1975, a fresh attempt to scale the mountain is mount-ed to restore China’s reputation. What follows is some of the most breathtaking mountain climbing footage seen on screen this year, achieved through a unique combination of location shooting and enhanced CGI effects that will have you on the edge of your seat. Cast member Wu Jing has previously starred in WOLF WARRIOR, China’s highest grossing action film ever, and Tsui Hark can be found among the list of producers, known for his work in Hollywood with Jean Claude Van Damme. If you can overlook some plodding attempts to arouse patriotic sentiment, you will be rewarded with an exhilarating wilderness epic all-too fit for cinematic viewing.

“It’s a full-blooded, often rousing epic: Tony Cheung’s cinema-tography is a triumph.” LP Hugo, Asian Film Strike

LOOKING FOR SUNSHINESwitzerland | 2019 | 95 minutes

English, French, German and Italian with English subtitles

Director: Niccolo CastelliCast: Lara Gut (subject)Producers: Niccolo CastelliProduction Company: Paranoiko Pictures Written By: Niccolo Castelli

This intimate profile follows Swiss skiing champ Lara Gut, whose competitive career began at fifteen. Winning her first World Cup medal at the prodigious age of seventeen and going on to claim the Alpine Ski World Cup Overall title in 2016, the film fo-cuses on Gut’s fraught recovery journey after sustaining a critical injury at the peak of her career. Director Castelli is allowed can-did access to Gut, having worked with her on previous projects such as TUTTI GIU (2012). An inspiring celebration of an incredible skier wholly devoted to her craft.

604-482-20002400 BOUNDARY ROAD, BURNABY, BC, V5M 3Z3, CANADA

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FROM THE VAULTFROM THE VAULT



WORLD PREMIERE

THE GREY FOXCanada | 1982 | 110 minutes

Director: Phillip BorsosExecutive Producer: David BradyProducers: Peter O’BrianWritten By: John HunterCast: Richard Farnsworth, Jackie Burroughs, Ken Pogue, Wayne RobsonCinematographer: Frank TidyEditing: Frank IrvineBill Brodie: Production Designer Distributor: Kino Lorber

THE GREY FOX is without a doubt the finest Canadian feature film to ever come out of Western Canada, and arguably, may be one of the few masterpieces to ever come out of English Cana-da, period. This is the story of an aging stagecoach robber who decides to come to Canada to rob trains, but it is really a valen-tine to a passing era, the transition from the frontier west to the dawn of the industrial age.

The film was released in 1982 to immediate acclaim, earning two Golden Globe nominations and winning seven Genie awards in-cluding Best Picture and Best Director. WFF’s own prestigious Bor-sos Competition for Best Canadian Feature, comprising of five awards now entering their sixteenth year, are named in honour of the late director Philip Borsos. Members of the Borsos family as well as producer Peter O’Brian, on this year’s Borsos competition jury, will be in attendance as we unveil for the first time a fully restored, colour-corrected digital print production of this elegiac Canadian masterpiece.

“100%” Rotten Tomatoes

“THE GREY FOX is a little gem.” Sandra Forte, Cinetalk.net

“A graceful, beautifully photographed, real and romantic bi-ography…intelligently told, it is a refreshing glimpse into history, set against the magnificent scenery of British Columbia.” Gerald Pratley, A Century of Canadian Cinema

FROM THE VAULT

An annual selection of newly restored classics to cult hits. Selections have varied greatly from THE ROOM to CALIGULA and HOCKEY NIGHT to MY AMERICAN COUSIN to many more genre-defining picks.

604-482-20002400 BOUNDARY ROAD, BURNABY, BC, V5M 3Z3, CANADA

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15 ACRES OF THE THE GREAT INDOORSCreate a location that’s out of this world!



WORLD PREMIERE

CANADIAN STRAINCanada | 2019 | 79 minutes

Director: Geordie SabbaghProducers: Ashleigh RainsProduction Company: We’ll Be Over Here Productions Inc. Written By: Geordie SabbaghCast: Jess Salgueiro, Naomi Snieckus, Colin Mochrie, Maria Vacratsis, Natalie Brown, Benjamin Ayres, Thom Allison, Hannah Spear, Dion Johnstone, Marcia Bennett, Nelu Handa, Sydney Van DelftCinematographer: Andrew Curr Editing: Michael G. EnglandComposer: Erik ArnesenCostume Designer: Kristin Somborac

The legalisation of personal marijuana use in Canada last year has prompted a trend in feature films showcasing the issue, with CANA-DIAN STRAIN offering a particularly topical and amusing take. Small-time pot dealer Anne’s business takes a brutal hit following legalisa-tion, and scrambling to make ends meet she applies for a job with the government, hoping to be appointed to one of the proposed government-controlled dispensaries. But her wealth of first-hand ex-perience does nothing to prepare her when she comes up against Canadian governmental bureaucracy at its finest.

Jess Salgueiro is a veritable bundle of youthful energy in the lead role, a girl with an attitude not averse to reinventing herself. Director Geordie Sabbagh has helmed one feature so far, A SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE (2016). Ashleigh Rains, a programmer with the Canadian Film Festival in Toronto has produced a number of shorts, with this her first feature. Kudos for a very amusing film that may well leave you with the giggles.

WORLD PREMIERES

Each year, the Whistler Film Festival is entrusted with the honour of showing quality films to the public for the first time. As a proportion of our total programming, we probably show more world premieres than any other Canadian film festival, giving Whistler audiences the opportunity to discover new films long before the rest of the world.

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WORLD PREMIERE

SATURDAY 6:30 PM | Maury Young Arts Centre




WORLD PREMIERE

THE CUBANCanada | 2019 | 109 minutes

Director: Sergio NavarrettaProducers: Sergio Navarretta, Alessandra Piccione, Taras KoltunProduction Company: S.N.A.P. Films Inc.Written By: Alessandra PiccioneCast: Louis Gossett Jr., Ana Golja, Shohreh AghdashlooCinematographer: Celiana CardenasEditing: Jane MacRae Composer: Hilario Duran Distributor: A71

Director Sergio Navarretta returns to WFF with the world premiere of THE CUBAN, starring Academy award winner Louis Gossett Jr. (AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN), Canadian Screen Award nominee Ana Golja (Degrassi), Academy nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG), Emmy winner Lauren Holly (DUMB AND DUMBER) and Giacomo Gianniotti (Grey’s Anatomy).

Louis Gossett Jr. expands his repertoire of exceptional perfor-mances in the role of Luis, an elderly Cuban musician who is brought out of his shell by his care worker, a young Afghan im-migrant named Mina. Luis is one of Mina’s most enigmatic pa-tients, and her initial attempts to get through are futile - until she discovers the music.

A poster of Benny More inspires Mina to hum a jazz tune that, to her surprise, ignites a spark inside Luis. As each day passes the music awakens Luis more and more, bringing his colourful past back to life. Mina comes into her own and their friendship blossoms, but as Luis becomes more responsive, tensions rise in the nursing home.

THE CUBAN is a powerful heart-warming experience of music, friendship, family and loyalty that highlights the humanity of some of the most vulnerable in our society and the light they are still capable of bringing those who care for them in their final days.

THE MARIJUANA CONSPIRACYCanada | 2019 | 124 minutes

Director: Craig PryceExecutive Producer: Craig PryceProducers: Craig Pryce, Jennifer HauflerProduction Company: Pot Luck Films Ltd.Written By: Craig PryceCast: Julia Sarah Stone, Morgan Kohan, Tymika Tafari, Brittany Bristow, Kyla Young, Julia Sarah Stone, Marie Ward, Gregory Calderone, Paulino Nunes, Luke BilykCinematographer: John BerrieEditing: Dona Noga, Marc Roussel Production Designer: Marian Wihak

In 1972, a government-funded research experiment subject-ed twenty women to total isolation for 98 days in order for the state to study the social and physical effects of marijuana on females. Half of the participants were administered daily doses and were prodded, poked and forced to routinely give blood for over three months. The study, named Project Venus, aimed to prove that smoking pot negatively impacted productivity - but the results were never published, mostly due to not providing the results desired by conservative anti-marijuana lobbyists.

THE MARIJUANA CONSPIRACY focuses on the experiences of the female participants, their interactions with one another and their reactions to the perilous and vaguely ridiculous circumstances in which they found themselves trapped. Many of the real-life sub-jects can verify the details outlined in this outrageous film from Director Craig Pryce, fondly remembered for his cult classic THE REVENGE OF THE RADIOACTIVE REPORTER (1990). The irony is that it might have taken over 50 years, but the worst fears of the or-chestrators of Project Venus are now a reality.

WORLD PREMIERES

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WORLD PREMIERES

WORLD PREMIERE





WORLD PREMIERE

PROMISELANDCanada | 2019 | 82 minutes

Director: Kirk CaouetteProducer: Ines EissesWritten By: Kirk CaouetteCast: Kirk Caouette, Andrea Stefancikova, Michael KopsaCinematographer: Pieter Stathis

This hard-hitting action spectacle follows the misadventures of a troubled prostitute and a delusional stranger. Sparks fly and the constant threat of betrayal pervades on both sides, as this errant duo embark on a vigilante mission to exact revenge upon those that have wronged them. With numerous quality fight scenes and action sequences, PROMISELAND credits a stunt team of nearly one hundred men and women, along with four months of fight choreography and almost two years of shooting and ed-iting.

Director and star Kirk Caouette is a BC and Chinese television stunt veretan and the only person in UBCP/ACTRA history to be contemporaneously nominated for best actor and best stunt-man. His skill and experience as a stuntman informs his directorial style and thoughtfully framed action sequences, amounting to a JOHN WICK quality level at a fraction of the production budget. In stark contrast to his fifteen years in the stunt and action film industries Kirk’s directorial debut was the 2014 musical romance HIT ‘N STRUM, which had its premiere at Whistler and received great acclaim. Don’t miss Caouette’s second breath-taking fea-ture.

THINGS I DO FOR MONEYCanada | 2019 | 89 minutes

Director: Warren P. SonodaExecutive Producers: Marvin Waxman, John Laing Mark Gingras, James Fler, Michael Paszt, Andrew Hunt, Byron KentProducers: Avi Federgreen, Emily Andrews, Jen Pogue, Laura NordinProduction Companies: Federgreen Entertainment Inc., FilmcoopWritten By: Warren P. Sonoda, Gary NolanCast: Theodor Aoki, Maximilian Aoki, Yodit Tewoderos, Rhett Morita, Jennifer Walton, Dax Lough, Edward Aoki, Danilo Reyes, Colette ZaccaCinematographer: Christoph BenfeyEditing: Anna CatleyDistributor: Raven Banner

An exceptional thriller with a concert climax final heist scene worthy of Hitchcock, THINGS I DO FOR MONEY is the story of twin Japanese-Canadian cello students who happen upon a satchel of cash and consequently become entangled with the mob. Af-ter being terrorised and threatened by the thugs, the dexterous twins plot their revenge.

With a score that perfectly punctuates the action, this soundtrack was composed by its lead co-stars, Theodor and Maximilian Aoki, who are both award-winning cellists in reality. Editors Anna Cat-ley and Kat Webber have cut this film with razor-sharp precision. Executive producer Avi Federgreen is a huge champion of lower budget Canadian filmmaking, whose previous productions have frequently been showcased at Whistler.

Award-winning, Emmy-nominated Japanese-Canadian director Warren P. Sonoda (TRAILER PARK BOYS, PUCK HOGS, COOPERS’ CAMERA and many more) returned to his hometown of Ham-ilton, Ontario to film his dream project: a gritty genre-bending crime thriller the likes of which audiences have never seen be-fore. The Aoki brothers give impressive performances for their big-screen debuts.

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SHORTWORK ONE

SHIN-CHI’S CANOE

RUNNING TIME: 91 MINUTES

THURSDAY 10:45 AM | Maury Young Arts Centre

BALAKRISHNACanada | 2019 | 15 minutes

Directors: Colin MacKenzie, Aparna Kapur

When Indian elephant Balakrishna arrives in the town of East River, Nova Scotia, in 1967, no one is more in awe of the creature than young Winton, who becomes inseparable from his mammoth new friend. Using animation, photographs, and home-movies, BALAKRISHNA captures the wistfulness of childhood memories while evoking themes of friendship and loss.

SHIN-CHI’S CANOECanada | 2019 | 15 minutes

Director: Allan Hopkins

With his father’s gift of a secret tiny hand-carved cedar canoe, a child discovers the strength and resilience to endure his first year at an Indian Residential School. A poignant and visually compelling film about a devastating chapter in First Nations history.

TIPPEDCanada | 2019 | 14 minutesDirector: Alysse Leite-Rogers

A waitress in an upscale restaurant reaches her tipping point with a difficult table and serves up her own dish of revenge. A witty comedy that uses the power of imagination to combat the tediousness of customer service.

YANDEREFrance | 2018 | 21 minutes

Director: William Laboury

Maïko is Tommy’s tiny holographic girlfriend. Her love for him knows no bounds. But when Tommy breaks up with her for a real girl, Maïko experiences an intense new feeling and discovers the taste of her tears. Those tears transform her flesh—and give her a taste for blood.

UNIDENTIFIED WOMANCanada | 2019 | 17 minutes

Director: Katrina Saville

Dawn struggles emotionally after her roommate, a charismatic con-woman, robs her of her possessions, money, and identity. Haunted by lingering memories, Dawn takes matters into her own hands in this tense drama.

MONSTER GOD (MONSTRUO DIOS)Argentina | 2019 | 10 minutesDirector: Agustina San Martín

God is now a Power Plant. On a misty night cows escape, a child is chosen, and a teenager tries to find freedom. This ominous sci-fi/drama hybrid received a special mention at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival.

SHORTWORK ONE

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MUDPOTS


FRIDAY 11:30 AM | Maury Young Arts Centre

DAUGHTER (DCERA)Czech Republic | 2019 | 15 minutes

Director: Daria Kashcheeva

In this innovative and heart-wrenching puppet animation, the bond between a father and his daughter is threatened by matters that go unspoken and hurts that are slow to heal.

THE STATIONUnited States, Canada | 2019 | 17 minutes

Directors: Angus Borsos, Simon Mendes

Caroline and Jeff live and work on a lighthouse in Vancouver Island’s Clayoquat Sound. Their shared life is one of weather reports, building and grounds maintenance, and growing food for themselves in the gardens and greenhouse. THE STATION is a day in their life on a remote island.

DZUNUKWACanada | 2019 | 6 minutes

Directors: Ritchie Hemphill, Ryan Haché

A young boy bonds with his grandmother as she shares the legend of the Dzunukwa from the Nakwala language. This thoughtful stop-motion animation uses new media to uphold traditional oral storytelling for generations to come.

THIS IS NOT A DRILLCanada | 2018 | 6 minutes

Director: Ravi Steve

THIS IS NOT A DRILL follows two brothers as they search for the best way to euthanize their ailing mother. Dealing with issues of end-of-life care, medically-assisted dying, and sibling rivalry, this genre-defying short isn’t afraid to mix comedy, drama, and absurdism into one package.

DOG (CHIEN)Canada | 2019 | 20 minutes

Director: Pascal Sanchez

In a Guadeloupean village, a young boy adopts a stray dog. Devastated when his new companion suddenly disappears, the boy sets out on an earnest quest into the unknown in this contemplative drama.

SHORTWORK TWO

IN LOVING MEMORYCanada | 2019 | 15 minutes

Directors: Mayumi Yoshida, Diana Bang

When Kailey attends the wake of her father, who abandoned her as a child, she is forced to face a myriad of emotions amid a minefield of colourful characters. IN LOVING MEMORY is a layered examination of the complexities of families and navigating loss.

MUDPOTSUnited States | 2019 | 13 minutes

Director: Cate Smierciak

Facing her imminent departure, Shelby and her best friend, Jess, spend one last dreamy afternoon together that culminates in a romantic moment at Shelby’s going-away party. A visually stunning tale of holding on while still saying goodbye.

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WATERMELON JUICE



B-SIDECanada | 2019 | 13 minutes

Director: Alayna Silverberg

B-SIDE is the coming-of-age story of 17-year old Mal, who has to face a longtime, repressed fear of getting back on a skateboard when she’s invited into a group of female skaters. Confronting her grief about the loss of her father, a once-legendary pro skateboarder, Mal must decide if she is ready to move on from her mourning or remain stuck in her heartache.

WATERMELON JUICE (SUC DE SÍNDRIA)

Spain | 2019 | 22 minutesDirector: Irene Moray

In this lusciously sensual drama, young couple Barbara and Pol go on holiday to heal old wounds and reconnect with good friends. A sensitive portrait of a woman finding refuge from trauma through intimacy.

MY FAVOURITE FOOD IS INDIAN TACOS, MY FAVOURITE DRINK

IS ICED TEA AND MY FAVOURITE THING IS DRUMMINGCanada | 2018 | 4 minutes

Director: Derius Matchewan

Derius, a young Indigenous boy, is passionate about many things—but primarily drumming and traditional singing. This short documentary is written and directed by Derius himself and serves as an affirmation of his courage and strength.

STANDSTILLCanada | 2019 | 13 minutes

Director: Katia Shannon

On the way to starting a new life with her boyfriend, Amanda gets stuck in traffic. Her fight to get through the gridlock turns into a fight for survival as her body comes to a standstill. With panic mounting, Amanda must face her deepest vulnerabilities in order to survive.

WITH MECanada | 2019 | 6 minutesDirector: Weyni Mengesha

Inspired by and featuring the songs of Dan Mangan, WITH ME is a rock/film fusion. An intimate and heartfelt exploration of sorrow and longing, WITH ME investigates our understanding of contemporary relationships.

THE CHEFUnited States | 2019 | 20 minutes

Director: Hao Zheng

In a time when labour is being taken over by robots, a traditional Chinese chef is forced to train a humanoid robot in the art of cooking. The situation is further complicated when the chef’s former protégé joins an anti-robot protest group and escalating riots take over the city.

EXAM (EMTEHAN)Iran | 2019 | 15 minutes

Director: Sonia K. Hadad

A teenage girl reluctantly agrees to deliver a package of cocaine on the day of an important test. Tension rises as a series of unfortunate events threaten to derail more than her GPA in this unnerving drama.

SHORTWORK THREE

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MPPIA SHORTWORKPRESENTED BY: SPONSORED BY:

SATURDAY 9:30 AM | Mary Young Arts Centre

MPPIA SHORT FILM AWARD

Presented in association with MPPIA and Creative BC, the 13th annual MPPIA Short Film Award provides one filmmaker from British Columbia an opportunity to further develop his or her directing career by re-alizing a unique creative vision.

Five shortlisted candidates will pitch their projects before a jury of three industry professionals and a live audience on De-cember 7. The winner will be awarded with $15,000 cash plus $100,000 worth of services in kind from across the industry including mentorship, production services and equipment supplies enabling them to complete their project. The winner will be announced at the Festival’s Awards Cel-ebration on December 8. The completed project will have its world premiere at the 2020 Whistler Film Festival.

The 2019 MPPIA jury includes WFF Alumni Emily Alden, former Vice-President of Pa-cific Northwest Pictures and producer of Carl Bessai’s features UNNATURAL & AC-CIDENTAL and SISTERS & BROTHERS; writer, producer, and educator Doreen Manuel (Secwepemc/Ktunaxa) who is the Direc-tor of the Bosa Center for Film and Ani-mation and the founder of the Tricksters and Writers program; and writer, director Francis Luta whose feature ALONE IN THE ARCTIC is having its Canadina premiere at this year’s festival.

Since 2007, 12 BC filmmakers have had the opportunity to make their short films and over $1,000,000 has been invested in the program to date. MPPIA, Creative BC and the Whistler Film Festival gratefully ac-knowledge the many BC industry donors and professionals who support the MPPIA Short Film Award and helped make the films possible.

B-SIDECanada | 2019 | 13 minutes

Director: Alayna Silverberg

Producer: Kris McRonney

Written By: Alayna Silverberg, Zlatina Pacheva

Cast: Olivia Ducayen, Araya Boyce, Sonja Holgersen, Elise Taylor Garner, Fleur Delahunty, Cole Walliser

Cinematographer: Jan Klompje

Editing: Holly Pavlik

B-SIDE is the coming-of-age story of 17-year old Mal, who has to face a longtime, repressed fear of getting back on a skate-board when she’s invited into a group of female skaters. Confronting her grief about the loss of her father, a once-legendary pro skateboarder, Mal must decide if she is ready to move on from her mourning or remain stuck in her heartache.

WORLD PREMIERE

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MOUNTAIN CULTURE SHORTWORK

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN



COMING HOME - AG TEACHT ABHAILE

United States, Ireland | 2019 | 24 minutesDirectors: Ryan Scura, Dylan Ladds

Paddy O’Leary grew up in Wexford, Ireland, but didn’t discover his love and talent for running until he moved to San Francisco. Now, he’s returning to Ireland to take on the fastest recorded time on the self-navigated 115 kilometre Wicklow Round, and to rediscover his home through the lens of running.

NEBULACanada | 2019 | 13 minutes

Director: Jay Trusler

On his quest to finish his three-part celestial ski photo series, pro photographer Reuben Krabbe ventures into the B.C. backcountry in an attempt to shoot a deep space photo of the Orion Nebula with a skier in the foreground. The pressure is on as Reuben tries to prove to himself that he can capture another ‘impossible’ photograph.

WHEN I GROW UPCanada | 2019 | 9 minutes

Directors: Mark Milburn, Michael Decker

A glimpse into the lives of four amazing people at various stages of life and skill: young and upcoming skiers Weitien and Olivia; Garret, who’s getting back on skis after a career-changing injury; and father-and-son duo Dave and Kasper on their last day of skiing together before a horrific accident in the B.C. backcountry.

CALL ME CRAZYCanada | 2019 | 21 minutes

Director: Andrea Wing

CALL ME CRAZY tells the story of how a young Austrian, with little more than a dream and a love for skiing, became one of the most influential ski pioneers in Canada and the founder of North America’s preeminent heli-skiing operation.

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAINUnited States | 2019 | 27 minutes

Directors: Chris Benchetler, Tyler Hamlet

Set to the soundtrack of The Grateful Dead, this visual experience showcases some of the world’s best athletes on an improvisational journey. Filmed during a snow and surf road trip, the journey starts at daybreak and ends under a psychedelic moonlit dreamscape.

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BC STUDENT SHORTWORK

OFF WORLD



THE ART OF FLAWSOMEVancouver Film School | 2019 | 10 minutes

Director: Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto

Driven by passion and fear of mediocrity, photographer Antonia strives for perfection in all aspects of her life. When she struggles to produce a work of art good enough to be presented at an art gallery, she journeys through her mind to discover that her drive for greatness could be self-destructive if she doesn’t learn to accept imperfection.

THE HIDDEN RIVER OF MY LIFEEmily Carr University of Art and Design

2019 | 5 minutesDirector: Kate Woodward

A multimedia music video set to Sufjan Stevens’ “The Hidden River of My Life” illustrates a cosmic yet deeply intimate exploration of humanity: our past, our present, and the places we might go.

MIDNIGHT MAILSimon Fraser University | 2019 | 13 minutes

Director: Ciaran Davis-McGregor

On a night like any other, Craig brings his burnout son Derrick along as he delivers that night’s mail. What starts as a run-of-the-mill delivery soon exposes Derrick to the ethically dubious and grotesque practices of his father’s mail service. As Derrick becomes more aware that what they’re doing might be wrong, he has to choose whether to confront his father or follow in his footsteps.

OFF WORLDCapilano University | 2019 | 14 minutes

Director: Joshua Vanderlinden

A single father living in the slums of a futuristic dystopia attempts to illegally escape to an off-world colony to prevent his son’s illness from becoming fatal.

THE PARTYVancouver Film School | 2019 | 13 minutes

Director: Gabriel Souza Nunes

After her farewell party, Amanda is forced to deal with unresolved issues from her past to ensure she’s ready to face her worst enemy in the future: herself. During the party, two different dimensions begin to collide, causing Amanda to reassess her life decisions.

DON’T WORRY, DON’T WATCHCapilano University | 2019 | 8 minutes

Director: Benjamin McGregor

After a life-threatening evening, a young woman struggles to reconnect with her drug-addicted brother to help him overcome his addiction and mend a disconnected family.

BREAKAWAYUniversity of British Columbia | 2019 | 9 minutes

Director: Jenny Lee-Gilmore

Set in 1970’s Vancouver, Canada, BREAKAWAY follows 11-year-old Sammy, an ice hockey-obsessed Chinese Canadian girl who dreams of playing herself—but those dreams are frustrated by her responsibilities at home and her bullying older brother.

NEW WASHING MACHINEUniversity of the Fraser Valley | 2019 | 5 minutes

Director: Mitch Huttema

A darkly comedic story unfolds in a young boy’s vlog as he reveals the turmoil he faces doing his chores within his dysfunctional, poor family.

BRAISED PORK BELLY(梅菜扣肉)Emily Carr University of Art and Design

2019 | 13 minutesDirector: Helen Liu

When Julie introduces her boyfriend to her father over dinner, things don’t exactly go to plan. BRAISED PORK BELLY is a short drama on the relationships between food, culture, and family.

SPONSORED BY:

Congratulationsto Crazy8s film IDOLS NEVER DIE by Jerome Yoo and Andrea Bang!

Watch it and other great short films at the WFF ShortWork Showcase on Sunday, December 8th at 4 pm. And don't miss the #Crazy8sFilms20 Gala on Feb 22.

ccrazy8s.film

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SHORTWORK SHOWCASEHOSTED BY:

SISTERS OF SORROW



Preceded by a 40-minute reception

#NOFILTERCanada | 2019 | 14 minutes

Directors: Daniel Rocque, Kassandra Voss

A hip couple venture out into the woods for a weekend of camping on their anniversary—but are the memories they create really their own? A biting commentary on the illusory world of social media and the effect it has on our relationships with ourselves and others.

WHY SLUGS HAVE NO LEGS (WARUM SCHNECKEN KEINE

BEINE HABEN)Switzerland | 2019 | 11 minutes

Director: Aline Höchli

Slugs have a hard time keeping up with the pace of life in the city of insects. When a financial crisis hits, the industrious bees only see one solution. Droll imagery and a jaunty soundtrack converge in this clever modern parable.

SISTERS OF SORROWCanada | 2019 | 11 minutes

Director: Jordan Waunch

Awakening after centuries, an immortal woman leads an all-female band of supernatural bikers on a path of redemption. SISTERS OF SORROW is a spiritually explorative Indigenous tale combining fantastical elements with gritty authenticity.

THE BEAR AND THE BEEKEEPERCanada | 2019 | 13 minutes

Director: Kristina Mileska

An ageing beekeeper tries to keep a pesky predator away from his beehives in order to keep the memory of his loved one alive. Dialogue-free short THE BEAR AND THE BEEKEEPER explores themes of loss and memory with a sense of whimsy and lightness.

IDOLS NEVER DIECanada | 2019 | 18 minutes

Director: Jerome Yoo

When Korean pop idol “N.D.” tragically dies, a group of high school fangirls discover a hidden message in his music which leads them on a quest to fulfil his final wish—to spread his ashes over the tallest tree in their hometown forest.

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SOPHIE DERASPEAlumni since 2010Director, Writer

Alumni Credits: Director, Writer ANTIGONE (WFF19); Director, Writer LES LOUPS (WFF14); Director, Writer VITAL SIGNS (WFF10)

As DOP and director, Sophie made several forays into documentary be-fore directing her first narrative feature film, RECHERCHER VICTOR PELLERIN (2006). Receiving strong reviews and multiple screenings around the world, her work continued with LES SIGNES VITAUX, which won 15 awards at 30 in-ternational festivals, including WFF’s Borsos Award for Best Canadian Fea-ture. In 2015, Sophie released the narrative feature LES LOUPS, winner of the FIPRESCI international Critics' Award in Turin, as well as a first feature docu-mentary, LE PROFIL AMINAl. ANTIGONE, TIFF 2019 Best Canadian Feature Film and the Canadian choice as the Oscar’s contender, is her fifth feature film.

ALLAN HOPKINSAlumni since 2015Writer, Director

Alumni Credits: Director, writ-er SHIN-CHI’S CANOE (WFF19), Praxis Screenwriter Lab participant (WFF16), Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship participant (WFF15)

Allan Hopkins is a writer and director. Allan’s first feature film, a comedy called INDIAN ROAD TRIP is about to be completed. The script began as a short film script in WFF’s Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship. Through the WFF Screenwriters Lab the script was expanded and developed into a feature and then accepted into the Telefilm Talent to Watch Program. This year Al-lan brings WFF a short film called, “Shin-chi’s Canoe.” Allan is currently in his second year of the MFA program at the University of British Columbia where he is studying screenwriting.

19 years ago, the Whistler Film Festival was born. It was an idea inspired by the love of film.

Since that time, over 1,089 filmmakers have presented their films to audiences in Whistler. As of 2019, WFF has over 2,450 Alumni who have been part of our story to date. Some have presented films at the Festival – several on multiple occasions. Others have partici-pated on juries, in our industry Summit or in our talent programs. Many have come back and continue to evolve as filmmakers, and some have achieved critical success or are on their way.

WFF’s Alumni Spotlight focuses on select alumni, who continue to inspire us through their work, embody important voices in the cine-matic landscape or who are shining examples of what the Whistler Film Festival is all about. WFF is committed to shining the spotlight on these filmmakers, their backgrounds, their work and their position on what filmmaking in the 21st century means to them.

For 2019, we shine the spotlight on 10 of our Alumni which films or projects at the festival:

LUKE BILYKAlumni since 2016Actor

Alumni Credits: Actor, BLACK CON-FLUX (WFF19); Actor, THE MARIJUA-NA CONSPIRACY (WFF19); Actor, KISS AND CRY (WFF17)

As his mother would say, Luke has been acting since he was in diapers. It’s been a dream come true for him to be part of the projects he’s worked on and to work with the incredibly talented actors that have helped guide him to becoming the actor he is today. Being Canadian, Luke believes it’s im-portant to showcase great talent and there’s nowhere better than Canadi-an festivals. WFF is one of those festivals that gives great Canadian content a platform to be viewed and enjoyed by so many people.

SEAN CISTERNAAlumni since 2015Director, Producer

Alumni Credits: Director, producer, FROM THE VINE (WFF19) Director, producer KISS AND CRY (WFF16), Participant, Power Pitch (WFF15)

Sean Cisterna is a multi award-winning filmmaker who recently directed FROM THE VINE (2019), an international co-production set around the world of Italian wine, starring Emmy award winner Joe Pantoliano. Cisterna directed the critical-ly acclaimed teen cancer drama KISS AND CRY (2016) - a project developed and honed at WFF - as well as FULL OUT (2015), a gymnastics film starring the iconic Jennifer Beals, both now streaming globally on Netflix. In 2017, Cisterna was awarded a Canada 150 Citizenship Award for Thought Leadership by the Federal Government for his dedication and community engagement in the arts.

JEREMY LALONDEAlumni since 2013Director, Writer

Alumni Credits: Director, Writer JAMES VS HIS FUTURE SELF (WFF19), Director,Writer,Exec Producer HOW TO PLAN AN ORGY IN A SMALL TOWN (WFF15) Director, Writer, Pro-ducer SEX AFTER KIDS (WFF13),

Jeremy LaLonde resides in Toronto, ON where he was awarded NOW Magazine’s ‘Best Local Filmmaker’ Reader’s Choice Award. His films have screened internationally at festivals including TIFF, Slamdance, Cinequest, Santa Barbara, and WFF. He is a four-time Canadian Screen Award Winner, three-time Canadian Comedy Award Winner, and a recent winner of the Director’s Guild of Canada’s Best Direction in a Comedy Series for his work on Baroness Von Sketch Show. His previous feature films SEX AFTER KIDS, HOW TO PLAN AN ORGY IN A SMALL TOWN, and THE GO-GETTERS have all won Best Feature Film at various film festivals and have gone on to be released internationally. JAMES VS HIS FUTURE SELF is his 5th feature film.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

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JOEL THOMAS HYNESAlumni since 2017Actor

Alumni Credits: Actor, BODY AND BONES (WFF19), Actor, HUNTING PIGNUT (WFF17)

Joel Thomas Hynes is a multidisciplinary artist from Calvert, Newfoundland. He’s authored numerous award winning books, his latest winning the Gov-ernor General’s Award for Fiction and the BMO Winterset Award. Hynes also writes, directs, produces and acts for TV and film, and just wrapped a leading role in CBC’s new series The Trickster. He is currently developing an original new crime drama for CameronPictures, who also produced Hynes’s much lauded CBC comedy series Little Dog. Hynes is also a musician, with much of his music showcasing in tv film and film, including BODY AND BONES.

GLORIA UI YOUNG KIMAlumni since 2016Director, Writer, Producer

Alumni Credits: Director, Writer, Producer QUEEN OF THE MORNING CALM (WFF19) Participant and win-ner of the Women in The Directors Chair Award (WFF16).

Born in Seoul, Korea, writer/director Gloria Ui Young Kim is an alumna of the Canadian Film Centre’s Director’s Lab, TIFF Talent Lab and the Nation-al Screen Institute. Her debut feature, QUEEN OF THE MORNING CALM, re-ceived support from the Whistler Film Festival’s Women in the Director's Chair Feature Film Award, Telefilm Canada, and the Harold Greenberg Fund. The film's script placed in the 2nd round of the Sundance Screenwriting Lab and earned Gloria both the Spotlight on Screenwriters and Telefilm Canada New Voices Award. Gloria wrote, directed, and produced ‘Flamenco’ for CBC, which won the Corus Fearless Female Filmmaker Award. Gloria has been profiled as one of Women in View's Five in Focus and sits on the board of Women in Film Toronto (WIFT-T).

JONAS CHERNIKAlumni since 2012Actor, Writer, Producer

Alumni Credits: Writer, Producer JAMES VS HIS FUTURE SELF (WFF19), Actor, A SWINGERS WEEKEND (WFF17), Actor, HOW TO PLAN AN ORGY IN A SMALL TOWN (WFF15), Actor, BLOOD PRESSURE (WFF12), Actor, Writer, Producer, MY AWK-WARD SEXUAL ADVENTURE (WFF12) **Winner - Audience Award

Jonas Chernick is an actor, writer and producer. This year, he stars in the film adaptation of Philip Roth’s THE PRAGUE ORGY, the sci-fi comedy JAMES VS HIS FUTURE SELF, and as a new cast member on the upcoming fourth season of the Netflix & CBC comedy series “Workin’ Moms”. He won a Gemini Award for his performance on the CBC series “The Border”, and a Canadian Screen Award for “The Best Laid Plans”. He’s perhaps best known for his 2012 film MY AWKWARD SEXUAL ADVENTURE, which was named to TIFF’s Top Ten, has been remade in several countries, won Audience Awards at several festi-vals, including the Whistler Film Festival.

SARA BETH EDWARDSAlumni since 2015Writer, Director, Producer

Alumni Credits: Writer, Director, Pro-ducer FALL BACK DOWN (WFF19), Participant Women On Top Men-torship (2018), Participant Praxis Screenwriters Lab with THE WAIT-RESS (2015)

Based in Vancouver and Los Angeles, Sara Beth (SB) Edwards is a dual New Zealand/Canadian citizen and speaks fluent French. With a background in the Fine Arts, she has spent the last decade creating scripted content for the disenfranchised. SB is finishing packaging on THE ESTATE which is a serious Lesbian Horror set in Ireland and supported by Telefilm. Previously she wrote for the Netflix original series Travelers and has recently teamed up with Chris Moore (MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, GOOD WILL HUNTING) to produce her se-rialized crime series NOWHERE.

JEROME YOOAlumni since 2017Actor, Director, Writer

Alumni Credits: Director, IDOLS NEVER DIE (WFF19) Actor, Co-Writer CYPHER (WFF17)

Jerome Yoo is a Korean-Canadian director, and screenwriter who often ex-plores subculture stories of youth. Always in pursuit of unconventional per-spectives, he aims to blend distinct style and energy to bring his worlds to life. After his first co-written joint ‘Cypher’ premiered at WFF17, he made his directing debut in 2018 with his award winning Storyhive digital short ‘Gong Ju’, followed by Crazy 8s K-pop drama ‘Idols Never Die.’ Jerome’s most re-cent passion project ‘Third Street,’ a concept based on a cult cartoon se-ries, was his first foray into working with trained lead actors and the commer-cial television style. He is currently writing his first feature film, a dark comedy about an immigrant family of dog butchers, MONSIEUR MONGREL.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

EXPERIENCE ALL THAT WHISTLER HAS TO OFFER

Something for everyone

Drink

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DineE S T . 2 0 1 4

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A PROUD SPONSORof the Whistler Film Festival

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EVENTS

EVENTS

PARTIES & RECEPTIONS:

OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION: TASTE OF WHISTLER Wednesday, Dec 4 I Doors 8:30PM - 11:30PM Westin Resort I $59

Sponsored by:

Following the opening film and Canadian Premiere of LOST TRANSMISSIONS, directed by Katharine O’Brien and starring Si-mon Pegg and Juno Temple, head to the Opening Night Cele-bration for the 19th edition of the Whistler Film Festival and get a taste of Whistler. Featuring local beer, wine, cocktails, canapes and tasting stations, complemented by live entertainment, the kick off to Canada’s coolest film festival will put what makes WFF cool in perspective. Proceeds raised will support WFF’s talent programs for Canadian artists.

RECEPTIONS: APRÉSMix and mingle with filmmakers and film fans at WFF’s daily apres receptions featuring passed appetizers, beer and wine.Thursday, Dec 5 I 4:00PM – 5:30AM I Grill & Vine, Westin I $40Friday, Dec 6 I 4:00PM – 5:30AM I Grill & Vine, Westin I $40Saturday, Dec 7 I 4:00PM – 5:30AM I Grill & Vine, Westin I $40* Subject to capacity. Access: Industry + Patron Passholders

SHORTWORK SHOWCASE & SCHMOOZESunday, Dec 8 I 4:00PM - 6:00PM I MYAC I $20It’s a short time, but a good time. Hosted by Crazy8s, WFF’s Short-Work Showcase & Schmooze marks the final apres of the festival and features a lively presentation of an eclectic collection of short films that will leave you wanting more. See page 93.

AWARDS CELEBRATIONSunday, Dec 8 I Doors 9:30AM I 10:00AM I MYAC I $40Join filmmakers, industry and special guests to honor the talent behind some of the finest films participating in WFF’s 8 juried competitive sections with 15 awards and $146,500 in prizes to be awarded ($31,500 cash and $115,000 in prizes). See page 25.

SIGNATURE SERIES

WFF’s Signature Series recognizes distinguished artists of our time and honours them with an award and or intimate on-stage inter-view complemented by a feature presentation of their most re-cent film premiering at the fest. Events will be hosted by CTV film critic and co-host/co-producer of The Travel Guys, Jim Gordon.

Sponsored by:

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: JOSEPH PANTOLIANOThursday, Dec 5 I Doors: 2:30 PM I 3:00PM I MYAC I $25With more than 150 film, television and stage credits to his name, Joseph Pantoliano is a prolific American Emmy award-winning actor who has played many diverse and memorable roles. Pan-toliano stars in the sun-drenched Canadian-Italian co-production directed by WFF Alumni Sean Cisterna FROM THE VINE having its Western Canadian Premiere at the festival. WFF will celebrate his career in an Artist Tribute event and honour him with a Career Achievement Award following the film. See page 33.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: SIMON PEGGThursday, Dec 5 I Doors: 6:30 PM I 7:00PM I MYAC I $25British actor, writer and producer Simon Pegg (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HOT FUZZ, STAR TREK, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, and STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS) stars alongside Juno Temple in Katharine O’Brien’s intimate look at the devastating impact of mental illness in LOST TRANSMISSIONS, whichopens WFF with its Canadian premiere on December 4. WFF will celebrate Pegg’s impressive career and exceptional achievements and honour him with its’ Maverick Award, presented to an actor whose bold choices have led to some of the most dynamic, memorable and beloved film moments of our time. See page 35.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: CHELSEA PERETTIFriday, Dec 6 I Doors: 5:30 PM I 6:00PM I MYAC I $25WFF shines the spotlight on stand-up comedian, actress and writer Chelsea Peretti (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), who is attending WFF with her feature film debut and the World Premiere of SPINSTER from Canadian director Andrea Dorfman. WFF will celebrate Peretti’s impressive career and exceptional achievements fol-lowing the film on December 6th. She will also be honored with WFF’s 2019 Trailblazer Award, which is presented to an actor, writer or director who has blazed a unique and inspiring trail for themselves in film and who continues to engage audiences with meaningful, impactful work. See page 37.

INDUSTRY EVENT TICKETS *Limited quantities available

WORKSHOP: PERFECTING YOUR PITCHWednesday, Dec 4 I 2:30PM – 5:00PM Fitzsimmons, Whistler Conference Centre I $50

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON: FOCUS ON TALENT Thursday, December 5 I 12:00pm - 1:30pm I SLCC I $65

MPPIA SHORT FILM AWARD PITCHSaturday, Dec 7 I 9:30PM – 11:30PM I MYAC I $20

DOC TALK MASTERCLASS: PRODUCING WITH PETER RAYMONTSaturday, Dec 7 I 9:00AM – 9:45AM I MYAC I $25

MASTERCLASS: THE ART OF CINEMATOGRAPHYSaturday, Dec 7 I 9:30PM – 11:30PM I MYAC I $40

Los Angeles | Vancouver | Toronto | New York | Atlantasiminternational.com

Sim is proud to support the Whistler Film Festival and the 2019 Power Pitch Competition.

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604.932.4100 Open Late! Located at the base of

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WFF CONTENT SUMMIT

EXPLORE, CONNECT, CREATE DECEMBER 5-7 • 30 SESSIONS • KEY INDUSTRY GUESTS

Across borders and on any platform, WFF connects sto-rytellers to dealmakers. You never know who you’ll meet.

The WFF Content Summit presents a snapshot of the most transformative ideas shaping the future of screen enter-tainment and creates an inclusive environment for indus-try professionals at every level to network, connect and advance their careers.

From December 5 to 7 the festival welcomes over 1,000 established industry leaders and creators to the moun-tains for three days of networking, exploration, discovery and creative conversations about the business and fu-ture of film and the ever-changing landscape of content creation in the digital age.

WFF’s reputation as an intimate and accessible industry event that brings together some of the brightest lights in scripted and documentary storytelling has led to many productive relationships developing here, leading to long-term success in the industry.

The Content Summit provides practical information and creative inspiration through meetings, pitches, and net-working opportunities, while sparking debate in high-lev-el keynote presentations and sessions on topics that range from finance, marketing, distribution, gender and inclusion to co-production and cinematography. At-tendees will gain valuable insights from key power bro-kers and some of the best creative minds in the business.

Registered delegates with industry experience and pro-duction credits have the opportunity to sign up for select workshops and high-level meetings to hone and pitch their projects to commissioning editors, sales agents, dis-tributors and other key executives attending the Festival. 1+1 Meetings and Mentor Meetings require pre-registra-tion.

All industry sessions will take place at the Whistler Confer-ence Centre and Maury Young Arts Centre unless spec-ified otherwise.

CONTENT SUMMIT & FIRST 20 GUESTS ANNOUNCED

Presented by:

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WEDNESDAY SUMMIT SCHEDULE

2:30PM – 5:00PM WORKSHOP: PERFECTING YOUR PITCH

Sponsored by:

Venue: Fitzsimmons, Whistler Conference Centre

Join Power Pitch finalists and registered delegates for a workshop and training under the direction of LA-based in-dustry veteran and pitch master, Carole Kirschner, former development executive at CBS and VP of Steven Spiel-berg’s first Amblin Entertainment Television. Kirschner will direct participants on the ins and outs of how to success-fully pitch their projects.

FACILITATOR: Carole Kirschner - Director of the WGA Show-runner Training Program & CBS Diversity Writers Mentoring Program, and Entertainment Career Coach

PART 1: HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN PR STRATEGY Congratulations! You have a blazing hot project. That’s just the first thing you need to sell projects and/or get hired. In order to compete in the entertainment industry you have to subtly “sell” yourself without being obvious or annoying - the one thing most writers, producers and directors hate to do. This hands-on seminar helps you get over that feel-ing by giving you the tools to create your own personal PR strategy, so you can easily answer the questions about: “What do you do?”; “Tell me about yourself”; and “What makes you memorable?”

PART 2: MASTERING THE PITCH Because not all creators are great salespeople, pitching can be a challenge. Successful pitching is an art, but it can be learned. This workshop will help demystify the pro-cess by teaching you, step-by-step, the essential elements of a successful pitch; what goes in it, how to structure it and how to present it for maximum impact.

*Tickets available for sale. Not included with Industry pass. Workshop limited to 40 delegates.

CONTENT SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS:KEYNOTES: Featuring inspired thinkers and speakers cover-ing a range of compelling topics, these powerful presenta-tions by diverse visionaries from the ever-evolving worlds of the cultural industries are a cornerstone of the WFF Content Summit.

MASTERCLASSES & CASE STUDIES: Go deep into the experi-ences of the experts and learn from the best with enlight-ened masterclasses and case studies that take you where you haven’t gone before. Join us for documentary and co-production case studies, a cinematography masterclass, and more.

FOCUS ON…PRESENTATIONS: Get your elevator pitches in top shape with intel from broadcasters, streamers, studios and funders attending the Summit and get their perspective on programming priorities and what’s working for them.

PANEL SESSIONS: Lively moderated discussions that feature industry professionals sharing different perspectives and opinions on topics including international co-production to how to maximize your IP.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES:MEET MARKET*: 1+1 meetings allow you to get in front of in-dustry executives and decision makers, seek inspiration, and find collaboration opportunities across a wide range of in-dustries, interests and groups. * Pre-registrations is required and access is limited.

MEET YOUR MENTOR ROUNDTABLES*: Is there a question that’s been bugging you, an area of the business you’d like to know more about? Small group coaching sessions bring in-dustry experts together with WFF attendees for an informal and enlightening discussion. Whether its gap financing, busi-ness affairs, or how to get that shot, Industry insiders will share their insights and advice in production, post-production or business affairs. * Pre-registration is required and access is limited.

APRÉS RECEPTIONS: Cap the Summit off day with a live-ly apres (it’s what we’re known for in Whistler or join us at the Filmmaker Lounge (The Firerock Lounge, Westin Whistler) throughout the day and into the evening.

PITCH EVENTS: Organized in a competitive format, Pitch Events offer filmmakers the opportunity to pitch their projects to a panel of judges and the WFF industry audience. Learn more about WFF Pitch Events.

WFF INDUSTRY RESOURCES: Online Industry Hub, Industry Cen-tre Whistler Conference Centre

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THURSDAY SUMMIT SCHEDULE

9:00AM – 9:45AM | SESSION: VIEW FROM THE TOP: A VISION FOR CREATIVE CANADA 2.0


Our stories matter. In a far-ranging moderated discussion we’ll tackle the big questions. What's the framework for suc-cess? What does it take for Canadian content to excel on the world-stage? Are there alternative models that we need to explore? What risks do we need to take? Hear from some of Canada’s top industry executives as they discuss a vision for Canadian screen content and find out what trends they are tracking and what developments are on the horizon.

MODERATOR: Liz Shorten - Chief Operating Officer, CMPA

GUESTS: Barbara Williams - Executive Vice-President English Services, CBC • Jesse Wente - Director, Indigenous Screen Office • Noah Segal - Co-President, Elevation Pictures • Tina Pehme - Co-founder/Producer, Sepia Films

10:00AM – 10:45AM | SESSION: INDIE DISTRIBUTION: ADAPTING MODELS FOR SUCCESS


In a theatrical world dominated by comic book heroes and recycled action movie franchises, it can seem as if the the-atrical space once reserved for quality foreign and indie fare has been fast evaporating. Meet a trio of distributors who continue to operate within the indie theatrical space, and gain insight into their evolving strategies for success.

MODERATOR: Paul Gratton - Director of Film Programming, Whistler Film Festival

GUESTS: John Bain - Head of Distribution, LevelFilm • Ariane Giroux-Dallaire - Managing Director and Head of Distribu-tion, MK2|Mile End • Jeff Sackman - Co-President, Aqute Media

10:45 AM – 11:00AM | NETWORKING BREAK

Take a break and some time for informal networking before getting back to business.

11:00AM – 11:45AM | SESSION: CAPITAL IDEA: NEW IDEAS IN FILM FINANCING


It’s always that last 30%, isn’t it? With advice from financiers, funders and investors find out what you need to attract in-vestors. Is it A-list stars, a proven audience, or a dynamic team?

And it might just be time to get creative with new channels of funding from non-traditional sources. Learn what it takes to increase investor confidence and maximize your potential.

MODERATOR: Peter Wetherell - President, Magus Entertainment

GUESTS: Stephanie Azam - National Feature Film Executive, English-language Market, Telefilm • Sarah Megan Thomas - Writer, Director, Actor, LIBERTÉ: A CALL TO SPY • Robert Wong - Vice President, Creative BC • Zach Lipovsky - Director/Pro-ducer, FREAKS

12:00PM – 1:30PM | KEYNOTE LUNCHEON: FOCUS ON TALENT

Sponsored by:

Venue: Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre

Join WFF’s talent program participants, faculty and support-ers as they gather for our annual Focus on Talent Luncheon, with the highlight being a keynote address from the Cana-da’s national public broadcaster on its commitment to fos-tering homegrown talent in today’s ever changing media landscape.

KEYNOTE GUEST: Barbara Williams, Executive Vice-President English Services, CBC

*Limited tickets available

12:00PM – 1:30PM | LUNCH BREAK

Take a lunch break and visit one of WFF’s preferred Restaurant Partners.

1:30PM – 2:30PM | FOCUS ON... BROADCASTERS, STREAMERS & STUDIOS

Venue: Garibaldi A, Whistler Conference Centre

Get your elevator pitches in top shape with intel from some of the broadcasters, streamers, and studios attending the Summit and meet the execs who will share their strategy and commissioning process.

*No advance sign-up required. Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until room capacity is reached.

MODERATOR: Angela Heck - Director of Industry Program-ming, Whistler Film Festival

GUESTS: Vanessa Case - SVP Studio Canada, Vice Media • Mehernaz Lentin - Senior Director, CBC Films / CBC Gem • Michele McMahon - Production Executive, Original Pro-gramming, BellMedia • Deborah Osborne - Manager of Pro-gramming (Western region), APTN

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1:30PM – 2:30PM | SESSION: CROSSING BORDERS: STORIES THAT TRAVEL


With the rise of OTT players and alternative distribution, the film and television market has never been more global in scope. The opportunity for co-productions and audience appetites for local stories with global appeal has never been better. Top producers and industry execs unveil how they are leveraging this environment, promoting their work and attracting audiences around the world.

MODERATOR: John Galway - President, The Harold Green-berg Fund

GUESTS: Guy Daleiden - Managing Director, Film Fund Lux-embourg • Will Machin - Partner and CEO, Metro Interna-tional Entertainment (UK) • Sandra Cunningham - President, Strada Films

2:45PM – 3:45PM | CASE STUDY: INTERNATIONAL CO-PRO - DREAMLAND


Take a deep dive into the creative and business process-es behind the making of an international co-production screening at the festival with key creative and business part-ners and find out what it took to get it made. WFF Producers Lab alumna Amber Ripley (2014) returns with DREAMLAND, and delves into the creative and business processes behind the making of this international co-production premiering at the fest.


GUESTS: Amber Ripley - Producer, DREAMLAND • Bruce Mc-Donald - Director, DREAMLAND • Patrick Whistler - Writer, DREAMLAND (with Tony Burgess) • Guy Daleiden - Managing Director, Film Fund Luxembourg

2:30PM - 4:00PM | MEET MARKET: 1+1 MEETINGS

Sponsored by:


WFF’s 1+1 Meeting program is an opportunity for content creators and producers with industry experience, produc-tion credits and/or feature films in the festival to gain ac-cess and meet one-on-one with leading decision makers, who can take your projects to the next level. The 10-min-ute meeting slots provide the opportunity to promote your projects, and build new connections with commissioning editors, sales agents, distributors and other key executives attending WFF.

GUESTS: Alan Bacchus - Program Manager, Harold Green-berg Fund • John Bain - Head of Distribution, LevelFilm • Vanessa Case - SVP Studio Canada, Vice Media • Nathalie Clermont - VP, Programs and Business Development, Can-ada Media Fund • Susan Curran - VP of Marketing and Ac-quisitions, A71 Entertainment • Glenn Cockburn - President, Meridian Artists • Lauren Davis - Regional Feature Film Ex-ecutive, Western Region, Telefilm • Jordan Drage, LIterary Agent, Integral Artists • Avi Federgreen - President, Feder-green Entertainment & Indiecan Entertainment • Ariane Gi-roux-Dallaire - Managing Director and Head of Distribution, MK2|Mile End • Mehernaz Lentin - Senior Director, CBC Films • Deborah Osborne - Manager of Programming (Western re-gion), APTN • Will Machin - Partner and CEO, Metro Interna-tional Entertainment (UK) • Michele McMahon - Production Executive, Original Programming, BellMedia • Jeff Sackman - Co-President, Aqute Media • Michael Paszt - Managing Partner - Raven Banner • Peter Wetherell - President, Magus Entertainment

(Producer Lab participants only)*Pre-registration required. Login to to sign up.

4:00PM – 5:30PM | APRÉS RECEPTION

Venue: Grill and Vine, Westin Resort & Spa

Mix and mingle with film fans and filmmakers at WFF’s après networking reception.

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9:00AM – 11:00AM | PITCH COMPETITION: POWER PITCH

Sponsored by:

Venue: Maury Young Arts Centre

Power Pitch offers up to 10 Canadian producers the oppor-tunity to master the art of the pitch. The main event is a live-pitch competition where finalists have six minutes to pitch their feature film to three senior executives, who will provide feedback on the quality and marketability of the projects presented, and select the winning project.

The winner will be announced on December 6 at the Apres Reception, and awarded a $41,000 prize package, which includes a $1,000 cash and $40,000 production package comprising of a $10,000 post production credit from Encore Vancouver, and a $10,000 studio credit, a $10,000 lighting and grip credit and a $10,000 camera credit from SIM Can-ada. Additionally, the finalist will receive the opportunity to meet privately with each jury member to receive invaluable feedback and advice on their project as well as forge formi-dable relationships with key industry executives.

FACILITATOR: Carole Kirschner - Director of the WGA Show-runner Training Program & CBS Diversity Writers Mentoring Program, and Entertainment Career Coach

JURY: Mehernaz Lentin - Senior Director, CBC Films • Will Machin - Partner and CEO, Metro International Entertain-ment (UK) • Noah Segal - Co-president of Elevation Pictures

WOMEN IN FOCUSSponsored by:

9:00AM – 9:45AM | WOMEN IN FOCUS: KEYNOTE PRESENTATION FROM WOMEN IN VIEW & AGENCY UPDATES


WFF’s Women in Focus Series (formerly named Women on Top) returns with informative sessions and a keynote presen-tation featuring special guest Jill Golick, Executive Director, Women in View, who will present the findings of the Women in View On Screen 2019 report.

Key insights in the report reveal progress in some areas but also areas where under-representation remains a challenge. Get an update on what needs to be done to address it, and why making media equitable and showing diversity on screen matters now more than ever.

A progress report from Canada’s cultural institutions which have committed to 50/50 by 2020, including CMF, NFB and Telefilm, will also be presented.

HOST: Shauna Hardy Mishaw - Founder & Executive Director, Whistler Film Festival

KEYNOTE: Jill Golick - Executive Director, Women in View

GUESTS: Nathalie Clermont - VP, Programs and Business De-velopment, Canada Media Fund • Shirley Vercruysse, Ex-ecutive Producer at the BC & Yukon Studio, National Film Board • Stephanie Azam - National Feature Film Executive, English-language Market, Telefilm

10:00AM – 10:45AM | WOMEN IN FOCUS: BEST PRACTISES FOR EQUITY & INCLUSION


The conversation continues with some examples of best practises to ensure equity and inclusion on screen and be-hind the scenes. Hear examples, ask questions, and gain in-spiration from a number of perspectives that will leave you poised to tackle the work yet to be done.

MODERATOR: Jill Golick - Executive Director, Women in View

GUESTS: Jesse Wente - Director, Indigenous Screen Office • Aisling Chin-Yee - Director, THE REST OF US • Camille Beaudoin - CEO, Mosaic Entertainment, and Co-founder of GIFT • pLynn Johnson - Instructor, Capilano University and Intimacy Coordinator

10:45AM - 11:00AM | NETWORKING BREAKTake a break between sessions and enjoy an informal net-working before getting back to the business of the day.

11:00AM – 11:45AM | WOMEN IN FOCUS CASE STUDY: PANDORA’S BOX


Taking a look at a universal experience, PANDORA’S BOX tackles the issue of menstrual equity. Hear from award-win-ning director Rebecca Snow and the women featured on screen and behind the scenes in this insightful discussion about what it took to get this story told and the issues it raises.

MODERATOR: Tracey Friesen - Creative Strategist & Founder, Story Money Impact

GUESTS: Rebecca Snow - Director, PANDORA’S BOX (award winner, CSA) • Carinne Chambers-Saini - Executive Produc-er, PANDORA’S BOX and CEO, Diva Cup, Diva International • Cait Newhman - Producer, PANDORA’S BOX • Aine Corby - Producer, PANDORA’S BOX

FRIDAY SUMMIT SCHEDULE

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10:00AM - 11:30AM | MEET MARKET: 1+1 MEETINGS

Sponsored by:


WFF’s 1+1 Meeting program is an opportunity for content creators and producers with industry experience, produc-tion credits and/or feature films in the festival to gain ac-cess and meet one-on-one with leading decision makers, who can take your projects to the next level. The 10-min-ute meeting slots provide the opportunity to promote your projects, and build new connections with commissioning editors, sales agents, distributors and other key executives attending WFF.

GUESTS: Stephanie Azam - National Feature Film Executive, English-language Market, Telefilm • Alan Bacchus - Pro-gram Manager, Harold Greenberg Fund • John Bain - Head of Distribution, LevelFilm • Vanessa Case - SVP Studio Can-ada, Vice Media • Nathalie Clermont - VP, Programs and Business Development, Canada Media Fund • Susan Cur-ran - VP of Marketing and Acquisitions, A71 Entertainment • Glenn Cockburn - President, Meridian Artists • Lauren Davis - Regional Feature Film Executive, Western Region, Telefilm • Michele McMahon - Production Executive, Original Pro-gramming, BellMedia • Deborah Osborne - Manager of Pro-gramming (Western region), APTN • Jordan Drage, LIterary Agent, Integral Artists • Avi Federgreen - President, Feder-green Entertainment & Indiecan Entertainment • Ariane Gi-roux-Dallaire - Managing Director and Head of Distribution, MK2|Mile End • Jeff Sackman - Co-President, Aqute Media • Michael Paszt - Managing Partner, Raven Banner

12:00PM – 1:00PM | LUNCH BREAK

Take a lunch break and visit one of WFF’s preferred Restau-rant Partners.

1:00PM – 1:45PM | SESSION: EXPAND YOUR IP: NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MARKETPLACE


With so many platforms and formats available to content creators, the possibilities for telling your stories are endless. From podcasts to apps to short and long-form episodics, identifying the IP within your IP can open up possibilities to expand your audience engagement and monetization op-tions. Hear from the innovators at Skybound Entertainment and leave ready to adapt your own stories even further.

MODERATOR: Kevin Barton - Creative Strategist, Lascelles Creative

GUESTS: Catherine Winder - CEO/Executive Producer, Wind Sun Sky/Skybound North • Wilson Tang - Creative Director, Wind Sun Sky/Skybound North • Krista Kelloway - VP Produc-tion/Franchise Producer, Wind Sun Sky/Skybound North

2:00PM – 2:45PM | SESSION: BUILDING BUZZ: MARKET STRATEGIES THAT WIN


Discoverability is on everyone’s lips, but how do you use the tools of the trade to find you place in the market? Find out from the pros about what it takes to cut through the clutter and how festivals, online curation, marketing departments and PR specialists can help you succeed.

MODERATOR: Lindsay Nahmiache - CEO, Jive PR & Digital

GUESTS: Kevin Barton - Creative Strategist, Lascelles Creative • Paul Gratton - Director of Film Programming, Whistler Film Festival • Deb Day - CEO & Chief Strategist, Innovate by Day • Joanna Miles - SVP, Marketing, eOne

3:00PM – 3:45PM | SESSION: JUST WATCH US : REPRESENTATION IN US & CANADA

Sponsored by:


As director’s careers grow, securing representation in both Can-ada and the US becomes critical. Literary agents and managers from both sides of the border talk about the keys to success and the relationships that make it work.

MODERATOR: Zach Lipovsky - DGC-BC Directors Rep

GUESTS: Glenn Cockburn - President, Meridian Artists • Jor-dan Drage, Literary Agent, Integral Artists • Sean Woods - De-velopment and Production Executive, Fourward Group

3:45PM – 4:45PM | MEET YOUR MATCH: CONNECTING DIRECTORS AND AGENTS*By invitation only

Sponsored by:


Sponsored by:

Venue: Grill & Vine, Westin Resort & Spa

Mix and mingle with film fans and filmmakers at WFF’s après networking reception. Join us to formally acknowledge the filmmakers competing in the coveted 16th annual Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature as we gather to cel-ebrate Canadian films at WFF. And wait for the big reveal! The Power Pitch winner will be announced, taking home the $41,000 production prize package.

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9:00AM - 10:00PM | DOC TALK MASTERCLASS: PRODUCING WITH PETER RAYMONT


Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, journalist, writer and activ-ist who has produced and directed over 100 films and TV series during his 48-year career, Peter Raymont, Executive Producer of ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND, which is screening at WFF, talks about les-sons learned, and tips and tricks of the trade. There’s bound to be a few good stories, too!

HOST: Angela Heck - Director of Industry Programming, Whis-tler Film Festival

GUEST: Peter Raymont - Founder & President, White Pine Pro-ductions

9:30AM – 11:30PM | PITCH COMPETITION: MPPIA SHORT FILM AWARD

Sponsored by:

Sponsored by:

Venue: Maury Young Arts Centre

The 13th annual MPPIA Short Film Award Pitch Competition features five short listed candidates who will pitch their proj-ects before a jury of three industry professionals and an in-dustry peer audience. The successful candidate will receive a $15,000 cash award plus services ‘in- kind’ valued up to $100,000 from across the industry to complete his/her proj-ect with the guidance of experienced industry professionals and support services provided by the top supply houses in British Columbia.

Five finalists will pitch for the $115,000 prize at WFF on De-cember 7. The MPPIA Short Film Award winner will be an-nounced at the Festival's Awards Celebration on December 8, and the completed film will receive its world premiere at the 2020 Whistler Film Festival.

FINALISTS: Deborah Burns (THE COLD PLATE) • Liam Callander (LIFE IN MINIATURE) • Heather Perluzzo (WILD FLOWER) • Ca-mille Hollett-French (SITTING DUCK) • Sunny Mohajer (HOPE IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS)

MODERATOR: Kendrie Upton - Executive Director, Directors Guild of Canada British Columbia

JURY: Emily Alden- Former Senior VP of Pacific Northwest Pictures, Producer • Francis Luta - Writer/Director • Doreen Manuel - Director of the Bosa Centre for Film & Animation, Producer

10:00AM - 10:45AM | DOC TALK: CREATIVE FINANCING: HOW IT GETS MADE


Financing documentaries can be a complex process to nav-igate. From more traditional funding agencies to innovative digital-based models, explore your options as we discuss a va-riety of ways to take your project from the page to the screen.

MODERATOR: Gillian Hrankowski - Documentary Consul-tant/Owner of True Mind Creative Inc.

GUESTS: Deborah Osborne - Manager of Programming (Western region), APTN • John Ritchie - President, John Ritchie Productions • Trevor Hodgson - Founder & Executive Producer, FIrst Look Media

11:00AM - 12:00PM | DOC TALK: ADVENTURES IN FILMMAKING


Telling the stories that matter with compassion, caring, and a search for the truth can lead to a few adventures. Hear from some of the documentarians at the fest as they share some of the situations they’ve encountered when trying to capture the story, and how that affected the film and themselves.


GUESTS: Michael Paszt - Director, NAIL IN THE COFFIN: THE FALL AND RISE OF VAMPIRO • Nigel Edwards - Director, CLOS-ING THE GAP: HOCKEY IN NORTH KOREA • Julia Ivanova - Filmmaker, WFF Doc Jury

12:00PM – 1:00PM | LUNCH BREAKTake a lunch break and visit one of WFF’s preferred Restau-rant Partners.

1:30PM - 2:45PM | MASTERCLASS: THE ART OF CINEMATOGRAPHY

Sponsored by:


Get a deeper look at visual storytelling in this Masterclass conversation with some of the best cinematographers work-ing today.

MODERATOR: Andrew Fish - Associate Editor, American Cin-ematographer

GUESTS: Maxime Alexandre - AIC, Cinematographer • Cath-erine Lutes - CSC, Director of Photography

SATURDAY SUMMIT SCHEDULE

CANADIAN SOCIETYOF

CINEMATOGRAPHERS

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1:00PM - 1:45PM | STREAM BIG: DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION & MONETIZATION MODELS

Sponsored by:


Digital platforms have opened up a range of new and excit-ing opportunities for storytellers looking to make their mark. New models now exist not only for distribution and financing but also for finding and creating meaningful connections with audiences and brands. Hear from the people behind the platforms and funds, and discover how to get your proj-ect into the marketplace.

MODERATOR: Deb Day - CEO & Chief Strategist, Innovate By Day

GUESTS: Melissa D’Agostino - Founder and CEO, HighballTV • Kevin Barton - Creative Strategist, Lascelles Creative • Na-thalie Clermont - VP, Programs and Business Development, Canada Media Fund

2:00PM – 3:00 PM | STREAM BIG: CREATING AUDIENCE-FOCUSED SERIES

Sponsored by:


Scripted screen-based content is on the rise and making it requires a whole new skill-set for writers and producers. The in-ternet and streaming have strengthened the bond between storyteller and audience and changed the way we watch. This session takes an audience-centric approach to series de-velopment, focusing on the importance of voice, specificity, authenticity and character dynamics in creating series that are bingeable, rewatchable and have global appeal.

HOST: Angela Heck - Director of Industry Programming, Whis-tler Film Festival

GUEST: Jill Golick - Executive Director, Women in View

Jill Golick has more than 30 years experience as a televi-sion showrunner, writer and producer, working in children’s (Androids), prime (Blue Murder), soap (Metropia) and digital (Weirdwood Manor). A true transmedia storyteller, Jill has created, written, financed and produced four original, cutting-edge, multiplatform series. Her most recent inter-active project is the internationally-acclaimed, award-win-ning digital detective series Ruby Skye P.I. Jill is committed to inspiring and mentoring the next generation of storytell-ers, speaking and leading workshops across Canada and in Europe. She teaches Television Creation and Develop-ment, is the former President of the Writers Guild of Canada and the Executive Director of Women in View.

3:00PM - 3:45PM | SESSION: SOUNDTRACKS THAT SOAR: WHY MUSIC MATTERS


Even with a great script, direction and photography, a cook-ie-cutter musical soundtrack can sink an otherwise compel-ling movie. Don’t let this happen to you! Hear from Canadi-an creators whose films soar due in part to their soundtracks. These soundtracks aren’t just general mood enhancers, they are fully integrated into the dramatic arcs of the films they serve and help elevate the films to a whole new level.

MODERATOR: Ari Wise - Agency Director and Owner, Core Music Agency

GUESTS: Warren Sonoda - Director, THE THINGS I DO FOR MONEY • Avi Federgreen - Federgreen Entertainment and Producer, THE THINGS I DO FOR MONEY • Sergio Navarretta - Director, THE CUBAN • Craig Pryce - Director, THE MARIJUA-NA CONSPIRACY

3:15PM - 4:00PM | CONTENT SUMMIT SESSION: ACTORS ON ACTING SUCCESS ON SCREEN

Venue: Whistler Conference Centre

There’s as many different definitions of success as there are peo-ple in the biz. Join the conversation with some of the talent-ed actors attending the fest who work in various capacities for some tips on creating and maintaining a career in the industry and find out how they make it work.

GUESTS: John Cassini - Actor, VOLITION & PROMISELAND • Jo-nas Chernick - Director, Writer and Actor, JAMES VS. HIS FUTURE SELF • Mayumi Yoshida - Director, IN LOVING MEMORY • Sara Canning - Actor, Screenwriters Lab


Sponsored by:

Venue: Grill and Vine, Westin Resort & Spa

Mix and mingle with film fans and filmmakers at WFF’s final après networking reception.

SATURDAY SUMMIT SCHEDULE

Celebrating 20 years of Indigenous storytelling

APTN is a proud sponsor of the 2019 Whistler Film Festival

aptn.ca

Proud to Sponsor theIndigenous Filmmaker Fellowshipat Whistler Film Festival

INDIGENOUS

FELLOWSHIP

I S P R O U D T O B E O N E O F T H EP R E S E N T I N G S P O N S O R S O F T H E

FILMMAKERS

YOUR SOUNDTRACK TO

ADVENTURE!

piquenewsmagazine.com

NEWRELEASEEVERYTHURSDAY

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TALENT PROGRAMS

Nurturing talent has always been at the heart of the Whistler Film Festival. Poised to bring content creators to the ‘pinnacle of success’ in the film, television and digital media space, WFF Talent Programs have become a cornerstone for independent Ca-nadian storytellers seeking to expand their knowledge and make the important connections required to advance their projects and careers.

To date, WFF has successfully delivered 71 dedicated talent programs for 398 Canadian artists with 326 projects currently in de-velopment, resulting in over 45 feature and short projects completed to date and over 70 currently in production or advanced development.

For 2019, WFF presents 10 talent programs for 54 Canadian artists including screenwriters, producers, directors and actors, lead-ing up to and during the Whistler Film Festival and Content Summit. 66% of the participants are from BC and 63% are female.

Programs are open to Canadian filmmakers and talent at various stages in their careers and are offered at a nominal cost with the support of our generous program supporters. Worthy projects are considered for showcasing at the Whistler Film Festival and Content Summit, where selected creators are presented with further opportunities to advance their current and future projects. WFF Fellows receive year-round support, including access to the Whistler Film Festival and Content Summit in the year of their program, and our Alumni community, now over 2,250 strong.

TALENT PROGRAMS 365

SCREENWRITERS LAB

Sponsored by:

A two-phased script development program designed to facili-tate six writer’s unique voice through the development of a single feature project. Phase I takes place in Whistler in June and in-cludes four months of mentorship. Phase II takes place during the Whistler Film Festival + Content Summit in December.

PARTICIPANTSAdam Hussein (BC) – NOWHERE’S HOMEHeather Schmidt (AB) – DISSONANCEJules Koostachin (BC) – BROKEN ANGELJulia Lederer (ON) – WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGANSara Canning (BC) – A SEARCH FOR SHESheona McDonald (BC) – BACK BY MIDNIGHT

FACILITATORSPatricia Gruben (BC) – Director, Praxis Centre for ScreenwritersAngie Nolan (BC) – WFF Program Producer

MENTORSRuth Atkinson (LA) – Script Consultant and Story EditorDennis Foon (BC) – Canadian Screenwriter (Indian Horse), TV Writer, Producer and Novelist Patrick Whistler (ON) – Screenwriter (Weirdos, Mobile Homes) and Story Editor

PHASE I ADVISORSLiz Levine (BC/LA) – Producer, Random Bench Productions (STORY OF A GIRL, TOAD ROAD)John Galway (ON) – President, Harold Greenberg Fund

PRODUCERS LAB

Sponsored by:

Supported by: James Upton Foundation

A two-phased project development program for independent Canadian producers prepping independent feature films. Phase I takes place in Whistler in June and includes four months of men-torship. Phase II takes place during the Whistler Film Festival + Content Summit in December.

PARTICIPANTSDylan Pearce (AB) – TERRA ALPHA ONEJustine Warrington (BC) – EARTHLICKERSKelly Milner (YT) – THIN ICENikki Wallin (BC) – REBUILDWilliam Carne (BC) – RELAPSELisa Genaille (BC) – WHITE BLOOD

FACILITATORSJohn Galway – President, The Harold Greenberg FundAngie Nolan – WFF Program Producer

MENTORSLee Kim (LA) – President/Producer, Resolute Films and EntertainmentLauren Grant (ON) – Producer, Clique PicturesChristine Haebler (BC) – Producer, Screen Sirens Pictures

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TALENT PROGRAMS

TALENT PROGRAMS AT WFF

INDIGENOUS FILMMAKER FELLOWSHIP

Sponsored by:

A four-day creative and business immersion program focused on strengthening and advancing short script projects for up to six emerging Aboriginal Canadian filmmakers.

PARTICIPANTSChelsey Mark (MB) – THE CALLBACKCarla Robinson (ON) – LITTLE WOLFSarah Kelley (BC) – GOOD GRIEFJohn Tahmoh Penikett (BC) – 22 MILES TO HOMEStefany Mathias (BC) – ENTERING HOPEJonathan Lawrence (MB) – LITTLE WHITE LIE

FACILITATORSKyle Irving (MB) – Partner, Eagle VisionLorne Cardinal (BC) – Actor, Director, and Executive Producer at Through and Thru FilmsMonique Hurteau (BC) – Producer, Writer, and Director of Through and Thru Films

DOC LAB

Sponsored by:

An intensive multi-day immersion and mentorship program for up to 10 Canadian documentary filmmakers with feature projects in development.

PARTICIPANTS:Nauzanin Knight (AB) – UNDETONATED: WOMEN IN TERRORFrederick Kroetsch (AB) – THE SECRET SOCIETYAlicia Krawchuk (AB) – MEMORIES OF THE MOTHERLANDMike Johnston (BC) – TRUE NORTH CRIME: BC’S MOST BAFFLING UNSOLVED MURDERSTeresa Alfeld (BC) – PARTLY FROM PRESSURE: THE DOUG AND THE SLUGS STORYChris Winters (BC) – SNOW HUNTERSArwen Hunter (BC) – UNCUTLenny Rubenovitch (BC) – THE FOREST TRANSLATORS

FACILITATORSGillian Hrankowski (BC) – Documentary Consultant & Owner, True Mind Creative Inc.Angela Heck (MB) – WFF Director of Industry Programming

POWER PITCH

Sponsored by:

A three-day pitch workshop and competition for up to six Cana-dian producers with feature projects in development, designed to set them up for success by fine-tuning their project packages and pitching skills. This program culminates in a pitch competition where one producer wins a $41,000 post production prize that in-cludes $1,000 cash and a $40,000 production package featuring a $10,000 post production credit from Encore Vancouver, and a $10,000 studio credit, $10,000 lighting and grip credit and a $10,000 camera credit from Sim. Additionally, the winner will re-ceive the opportunity to meet privately with each jury member to receive invaluable feedback and advice on their project as well as forge formidable relationships with the executives.

PARTICIPANTSNguyen-Anh Nguyen (QC) – NIGHTFIREOsric Chau (BC) – KINHedyeh Bozorgzaden (BC) – BROTHER, MAN: THE ANTONIO JOAO STORYKen Hegan (BC) – GONERSMichelle Meyers (BC) – THE GWAIIMaxime Beauchamp (ON) – CROSS-COUNTRY BABY

FACILITATORSCarole Kirschner (LA)– Director of the WGA Showrunner Training Pro-gram & CBS Diversity Writers Mentoring Program, and Entertainment Career CoachAngela Heck – Director of Industry Programming, WFF

JURYMehernez Lentin – Senior Director of CBC FilmsWill Machin – Partner and CEO of Metro International Entertainment (UK)Noah Segal – Co-president of Elevation Pictures

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WOMEN IN FOCUS MENTORSHIP

Sponsored by:

Provides female filmmakers from BC the opportunity to partici-pate in the Women in Focus Series and be matched with an ex-ecutive mentor leading up to, during and after WFF to help guide their projects to include a diversity and inclusion mandate as well as to support their projects to advance to screen.

MENTEESHelen Liu - Director, BRAISED PORK BELLYLois Neu - Director, SKI LEGENDSMayumi Yoshida - Director, IN LOVING MEMORY

MENTORSCamille Beaudoin - CEO, Mosaic Entertainment & Co-founder of Girls in Film & Television (GIFT)Emily Alden - Producer & former Vice-President of Pacific Northwest PicturesTina Pehme - Co-Founder & Producer, Sepia Films

FACILITATORAngela Heck – Director of Industry Programming, WFF

STARS TO WATCH

Sponsored by:

A four-day immersion experience for four UBCP/Actra member actors, all of who are poised for international recognition, with features premiering at the festival.

ACTORSAndrew Dunbar - Lead role of Nick in the World Premiere of FALL BACK DOWNNatalie Krill - Lead role of Anna in the Canadian Premiere of WE HAD IT COMINGRyan McDonald - Lead role of Dennis in the Western Canadian Pre-miere of BLACK CONFLUXAndrea Stefancikova - Lead role of Velvet in the World Premiere of PROMISELAND

FACILITATORSSue Brouse (BC) – Director Member Services and Human Resources, UBCP/ACTRAAngela Heck – Director of Industry Programming, WFF

JURYBen Silverman - Managing Director, Integral Artists & Partner, LevelFILMPaul Gratton - Director of Programming, Whistler Film FestivalTaylor Hill - Actor, UBCP/ACTRA

MUSIC SHOWCASE A multi-day music showcase for up to 10 BC musicians seeking placements of songs on films and television shows seen around the world. The program has been postponed until WFF 2020.

TALENT PROGRAMS

113

TALENT PROGRAMS

COLLABORATION PROGRAMS AT WFF

MPPIA SHORT FILM AWARD COMPETITION

Presented by:

Sponsored by:

An annual highlight on the Whistler Film Festival calendar, the 12th cycle of the MPPIA Short Film pitch will again be distin-guished by five promising BC directors competing for a $10,000 cash award from MPPIA, and a $5,000 cash award from Cre-ative BC, plus in-kind production services up to $100,000 for a short film project to be completed within one year after receiv-ing the Award. The completed project will premiere at the 2020 Whistler Film Festival.

FINALISTSDeborah Burns - “The Cold Plate”Liam Callander - “Life in Miniature”Camille Hollett-French - “Sitting Duck”Sunny Mohajer - “Hope is the Thing with Feathers”Heather Perluzzo - “Wild Flower”

FACILITATORSErika Kumar - Business Analyst, Development, Creative BCLeslie Wooten - MPPIAKristyn Stilling - Senior Shorts Programmer, Whistler Film Festival

MODERATORKendrie Upton - Executive Director, Directors Guild of Canada, BC

JURYDoreen Manuel - Director for Bosa Centre for FIlm & Animation, Cap-ilano UniversityEmily Alden - Producer & former Vice-President of Pacific Northwest PicturesFrancis Luta - Director, ALONE ACROSS THE ARCTIC

WOMEN IN THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR STORY & LEADERSHIP - WFF INDUSTRY IMMERSIONA 4-month intensive program for eight women screen directors focusing on feature film and web series development that takes place in part at WFF.

DIRECTORSLaura Adkin (BC) - Director, LAST WEEKENDKim Albright - Director, WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGANSarah Galea-Davis - Director, THE PLAYERSCamille Hollett-French - Director, A WORLD WITHINMonique Hurteau - Director, THE COLLECTION BOXNimisha Mukerji - Director, REIGN OF DURGASusanne Serresis - Director, THE SPEED OF WORDSLana Slezic - Director, THE LEGEND OF PEARL HART

FACILITATORCarol Whiteman - President & CEO, Women In the Director’s Chair

WIFTV FILM MARKET PREPARATIONA mentor focused program that prepares one director’s film project for market during WFF under the guidance of a senior female producer or director.

MENTEEJoy Haskell - Writer/Director/Producer, COOKIES AND CRACK

MENTORCamille Beaudoin - CEO, Mosaic Entertainment & Co-founder of Girls in Film & Television (GIFT)

FACILITATORCarolyn Combs - Executive Director, WIFTV

Our way of sayingthank you.

Tim Hortons is proud to sponsor the

2020

www.acfcwest.com

ACFC West - WFF 2014.qxd 2014-09-24 3:05 PM Page 1

ON SET HEADSETS™

IS PROUD TO BE A SPONSOR OF THE2019 WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL!

ON SET HEADSETS™

IS PROUD TO BE A SPONSOR OF THE2019 WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL!

COMMUNICATION AND IT SERVICES FOR FILM AND TELEVISIONTWO-WAY RADIOS PORTABLE REPEATERS PHONE AND DATA SERVICES

signal.caVANCOUVER 604.453.5054 SQUAMISH 604.898.3655

117

BOX OFFICE INFORMATION

WEB www.whistlerfilmfestival.com Open: 24/7 Note: Each Will Call web order will result in a confirmation number be-ing issued. Please note your confirmation number and bring it with you when you pick up your order along with your credit card and photo I.D. Passes may only be picked up at the Festival Box Office by the credit cardholder, as we do not permit second party pick up.

PHONE1-838-877-FILM (3456)Open: November 5 – December 3 Hours: 11am – 5:00pmOpen: December 4 – December 8 Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pmNote: Each phone order will result in a confirmation number being is-sued. Please note your confirmation number and bring it with you when you pick up your order along with your credit card and photo I.D. Passes may only be picked up at the Festival Box Office by the credit cardhold-er, as we do not permit second party pick up.

IN PERSONVisit the WFF Box Office located in the Kiosk in front of the Whis-tler Conference Centre (4010 Whistler Way).

Open: November 29 - December 3 Hours: Noon - 6pm

Open: December 4 - 8 Hours: 9am - until last screening of the day

THEATRE BOX OFFICESOpen one hour prior to the first screening and until the last screening of the day from December 4 to 8. Theatres and ven-ues include the Whistler Conference Centre (WCC), Rainbow Theatre (RT), Village 8 Cinemas (V8C), and Maury Young Arts Centre (MYAC).

FILM TICKETSSINGLE FILM TICKETS: $17SPECIAL PRESENTATION FILM TICKETS: $19OPENING & NIGHT FILM: $20-$25

TICKET PACKAGES10 PACK: $1536 PACK: $85OPENING & CLOSING NIGHT PACK: $45

SPECIAL EVENT TICKETSEVENT & INDUSTRY TICKETS: (*limited tickets available)OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION: $59*SIGNATURE SERIES: $25 EACHKEYNOTE LUNCHEON: FOCUS ON TALENT: $65*AFTER DARK FESTIVAL PARTIES: $25POWER PITCH WORKSHOP: $50MPPIA SHORT FILM AWARD PITCH: $20THE ART OF CINEMATOGRAPHY: $40SHORTWORK SHOWCASE & SCHMOOZE: $20AWARDS CELEBRATION: $40

MEMBERSHIPS BASIC: $2

FRIENDS CIRCLE MEMBERSHIPSBRONZE FRIEND: $55SILVER FRIEND: $125GOLD FRIEND: $250

PATRONS CIRCLEINSIDER PASS: $2,500AMBASSADOR PASS: $1,000CONTRIBUTOR PASS: $500

PASSESPREMIUM INDUSTRY PASS: $600 ($686 ONSITE)INDUSTRY PASS: $450 ($494 ONSITE)INDUSTRY DAY PASS (DEC 5, 6, & 7) - $200 ($250 ONSITE)FILM PASS: $250 ($274 ONSITE)

ADVANCE TICKETS:Advance Tickets go on sale on November 15 and will be avail-able online and by phone at 1-838-877-FILM (3456). Tickets are available at the WFF Box Office in Whistler starting November 29 until December 8, and at Theatre Box Offices from December 4 to 8. Just show the ticket on your smartphone at the theatre or print your tickets at home and save time!

SAME DAY TICKETS:Same day tickets may be purchased online up to one hour in advance of the screening or at the WFF Box Office or Theatre Box Offices presenting your selected film.

RUSH TICKETS:Rush tickets are only available at the theatre box office on the day of screening. Please arrive a minimum of 45 minutes in ad-vance of your film and join the rush line to be the first to purchase any released tickets.

PASSESAll passes must be purchased online at whistlerfilmfestival.com or through the Festival Box Office, and are not available for pur-chase at the theatres. Passes are limited in quantity and subject to availability. All passes are strictly non-transferable and photo I.D. may be required at the theatres. Pass holders must be WFFS members and 18 years or older, unless films are classified. See website for pass benefits.

TERMS & CONDITIONS:• All sales are non-refundable. Please check your order

carefully before you finalize your registration. • Passes are non-transferrable.• Passes are limited and subject to availability.• Each registration includes a one-year membership to the

Whistler Film Festival Society. • A $5 online processing fee will apply to each order.• All prices are in Canadian dollars.• Orders are subject to 5% GST (General Sales Tax).• ID and confirmation email required to pick up your

accreditation

118

HOW TO FESTIVAL

Unsure of how to get here or how to experience our fantastic films and events? Not to worry, there are many easy options for enjoying the best at the 19th annual Whistler Film Festival! Go to whistlerfilmfestival.com for more details.

WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP FEE $2All attendees are required to purchase one annual member-ship to the Whistler Film Festival Society and be at least 18 years of age. The British Columbia Film Classification Board does not allow public screenings of unclassified films. As a registered non-profit society, the Whistler Film Festival screens some films that have not yet been rated by the British Columbia Film Clas-sification Board. As a member you are entitled to purchase tick-ets to the film screenings and to attend the next Annual General Meeting in 2020.

CLASSIFIED FILMSPlease note that certain films suitable for younger audiences have been classified and people under 18 years of age may attend these without being a member of the Society. For a list of classified films which may be attended by children under 18, please check with our box office.

MEMBERSHIPS AND I.D. CHECKSAs a ticket holder, you will be required to show your membership card at each screening you attend and whenever you purchase tickets. If you cannot produce a valid membership card at a screening, you must purchase one at that time, so please keep your card with you at all times. Memberships are included with the purchase of passes, you will not need to present a member-ship card at the theatres, only your valid pass. Please carry valid photo identification so that we may spot check that passes are being legitimately used, as passes are non-transferable.

FESTIVAL THEATRES & VENUESAll screenings and events take place at one of 3 venues. All the-atres are centrally located in the heart of Whistler Village and are within 10 minutes walking distance of each other.

Rainbow Theatre (RT) - 4010 Whistler Way

Whistler Conference Centre (WCC) - 4010 Whistler Way

Village 8 Cinemas, Theatre 6/7/8 (V8C) - 4295 Blackcomb Way

Maury Young Arts Centre (MYAC) - 4335 Blackcomb Way

THEATRE PROCEDURESThere will be three line-ups for each screening: 1) VIPs and Pa-trons, 2) ticket holders and passholders (though pass holders will be seated first) and, 3) the rush line, this is for standby tickets which go on sale 10 minutes before showtime

PROGRAM CHANGESAll programs are subject to change. Please check “Festival Up-dates” regularly on our website and at the theatres and main Box Office for such notices. If you would like to receive regular email updates on changes to the WFF program, please sign up for the WFF E-News on our website. No refunds or exchanges can be given, except in the case of a program cancellation. Note: In the event of a refund, you will be required to show your confirmation number and/or ticket stub.

INFORMATION UPDATESLooking for the most up-to-date Whistler Film Festival information?

Download the Whistler Film Festival App! Available from the Apple Store and Google Play

Follow us on twitter and instagram @whisfilmfest

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/Whistlerfilmfestival

PARKINGParking is available in the Day Lots 1-5 in Whistler Village. Rates apply to parking in Day Lots 1, 2 and 3, and parking is free in Day Lots 4 and 5. The Whistler Conference Centre has an un-derground and an above ground parkade that offers hourly parking. All festival theatres are located within a 10 to 15 minute walk from all these parking lots.

GENERAL POLICIESNO REFUNDS. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED AND MAY SELL OUT AT ANY TIME.

• All films are restricted to persons 18 years of age or older unless otherwise specified, including infants and toddlers.

• Programs and schedules are subject to change without notice.

• A ticket guarantees admission to a screening until 15 minutes before the scheduled start of that screening.

• Ticket holders who arrive late are seated ONLY at the discre-tion of the Festival’s Theatre

• Representatives based on seat availability (standing in the aisles or at the back of the cinema is strictly prohibited) and accessibility without disturbing other customers.

• Entry may not be permitted 10 minutes after the scheduled start of any screening.

• All Festival screening venues are wheelchair accessible.

• All filmgoers must leave the cinema between screenings unless they receive a Second Pass Entry Ticket.

• Cameras and recording devices are NOT PERMITTED in Festival theatres; additional anti-piracy security measures are in effect.

• Please turn off all pagers and cell phones upon entering any Festival cinema.

• Running times do not include Q&A’s and speeches from the stage. Please allow for this when selecting films.

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FESTIVAL MAP

BOXOFFICE

01

MEDICAL CENTRE

MOUNTAINSQUARE

TOWNPLAZA

MAURY YOUNG ARTS CENTRE

WHISTLER OLYMPIC PLAZA

VILLAGE 8 CINEMA

WHISTLER CREEKSIDE &

FUNCTION JUNCTION

VILLAGESQUARE

BLACKCOMB BASEFAIRMONT

CHATEAU WHISTLER

DAY SKIER PARKING

DAY SKIER PARKING VILLAGE GATE BLVD.

NORT

HLAN

DS B

LVD.

MAI

N ST

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SQUAMISH LIL’WAT CULTURAL CENTRE

WHISTLER CONFERENCE

CENTRE

SKIER’S PLAZA

TAXI & BUS LOOP

BLAC

KCOM

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AY

RAINBOWTHEATRE

WHI

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EXCALIBUR GONDOLA

LORIMER ROADWHISTLER’S

MARKETPLACE FRESH ST. MARKET

WHI

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WAY

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TO V

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120K

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LORIMER ROAD

BLACKCOMB WAY

DAY SKIER PARKING

WHI

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BLACKCOMB MOUNTAIN WHISTLER MOUNTAIN

BOX OFFICE Festival Box Office 01

THEATRES & VENUES Maury Young Arts Centre 02Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre 03 Rainbow Theatre 04Village 8 Cinemas 05Whistler Conference Centre 06

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4317

*Located in Whistler Creekside. **Located in Function Junction.

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WFF VILLAGE

ACCOMMODATION PARTNERSFESTIVAL HOST HOTELThe Fairmont Chateau Whistler 07

FESTIVAL PREFERRED ACCOMMODATIONCascade Lodge 08Blackcomb Springs Suites 09Whistler Peak Lodge 10

FESTIVAL ACCOMMODATION PARTNERSAava Whistler Hotel 11Adara 12The Blackcomb Lodge 13Crystal Lodge 14Delta Whistler Village Suites 15Evolution Whistler* Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa 16The Listel Hotel Whistler 17Nita Lake Lodge* The Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside 18Pangea Pod Hotel 19Sundial Boutique Hotel 20Summit Lodge and Spa 21Westin Resort and Spa 22Whistler Village Inn + Suites 23Whiski Jack Resorts*

RESTAURANT PARTNERS

All Seasons Grill 24Araxi 25Basalt 14Bearfoot Bistro 26Blenz 27Brickworks 28Buffalo Bills Bar & Grill (Gibbons) 29Dubh Linn Gate 18Earls 30Firerock Lounge (Gibbons) 22GLC 31Gone Eatery 32Grill & Vine 07Longhorns 33Milestones 34Mongolie Grill 05Quattro 15Starbucks (Crystal Lodge) 35Starbucks (Village Common) 30Starbucks (Whistler Marketplace) 36Steeps Grill (Whistler Mountain) Stonesedge 37Tapleys (Gibbons) 38The Brewhouse 39The Grill Room @ Fairmont 07Three Below 05Tim Hortons 40Tommys 41Whistler Golf Course 4221 Steps 43Collective Kitchen* Whistler Cooks**

35

39

30

Paper. Let’s cut it.

Seriously – why are we still using paper start

packs to onboard our cast & crew? Let’s run our

sets with the same sense of innovation we put on

the screen. Get a demo of the new digital

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Visit us at our newly renovated shop in theWhistler Olympic Plaza (#101 - 4338 Main Street, Whistler)

HOTCHOCOLATE

in Whistler

Voted best!

Proudsupporter ofWhistler Film

Festival

MERIDIAN ARTISTS

123

PRINT SOURCES

A71 EntertainmentTel: 416- 778-5571Email: [email protected]

Axia FilmsTel: 1-514-884-5447axiafilms.com

Crazy 8s Film Societycrazy8s.film

Entertainment One CanadaTel: 416-646-5194Email: [email protected]/home

Film NationEmail: [email protected]

Finale EditworksTel: 1-866-582-7678finale.tv

KinoLorberTel: 212.629.6880Email: [email protected]

Level FilmEmail: [email protected]

Marvin&WayneTel: +34 934863313Email: [email protected]/en

MK2 Mile EndEmail: [email protected]

Mongrel MediaTel: 416-516-9775Email: [email protected] mongrelmedia.com

National Film Board of CanadaTel: 1+416-436-0105Email: [email protected]

NetflixTel: 1-323-980-6855www.netflix.com

Seville InternationalTel: 514-878-2282Email: [email protected]

Some ShortsTel: +31 (0)6 22076717Email: [email protected]

Travelling DistributionTel: 1-514-467-8160Email: [email protected]

Wapikoni MobileTel: (514) 276-9274Email: [email protected] www.wapikoni.ca

Well Go USA EntertainmentTel: 972-265-4321www.wellgousa.com

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125

FILM INDEX

BY TITLE:#NOFILTER, p 93

ACCIDENTAL CLIMBER, p 78

ALONE ACROSS THE ARCTIC, p 62

ANTIGONE, p 51

APAPACHO: A CARESS FOR THE SOUL, p 61

B-SIDE, p 87/89

BALAKRISHNA, p 85

BLACK CONFLUX, p 58

BODY & BONES, p 68

BRAISED PORK BELLY, p 91

BREAKAWAY, p 91

CABARETE, p 73

CALL ME CRAZY, p 90

CANADIAN STRAIN, p 82

CLOSING THE GAP: HOCKEY IN NORTH KOREA, p 63

COMING HOME - AG TEACHT ABHAILE, p 90

COMPULSIVE LIAR, p 50

DAUGHTER, p 86

DOG, p 86

DON'T WORRY, DON'T WATCH, p 91

DREAMLAND, p 54

DZUNUKWA, p 86

ENTANGLED, p 55

EXAM, p 87

FALL BACK DOWN, p 69

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, p 90

FROM THE VINE, p 59

GROSSO'S LOVELETTERS TO SKATEBOARDING: CANADA, p 42

GUILT, p 59

HAMMER, p 55

HOPE GAP, p 51

IDOLS NEVER DIE, p 93

IN LOVING MEMORY, p 86

JAMES VS HIS FUTURE SELF, p 57

LIBERTÉ: A CALL TO SPY, p 46

LOCUSTS, p 75

LOOKING FOR SUNSHINE, p 79

LOST TRANSMISSIONS, p 41

MIDNIGHT MAIL, p 91

MONSTER GOD, p 85

MUDPOTS, p 86

MY FAVOURITE FOOD IS INDIAN TACOS, MY FAVOURITE DRINK IS ICED TEA AND MY FAVOURITE THING IS DRUMMING, p 87

NAIL IN THE COFFIN: THE FALL AND RISE OF VAMPIRO, p 63

NEBULA, p 90

NEW WASHING MACHINE, p 91

OFF WORLD, p 91

ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND, p 65

ORDINARY LOVE, p 75

PANDORA'S BOX: LIFTING THE LID ON MENSTRUATION, p 65

PROMISELAND, p 84

QUEEN OF THE MORNING CALM, p 69

RANGE RUNNERS, p 53

SHIN-CHI'S CANOE, p 85

SISTERS OF SORROW, p 93

SKI LEGENDS, p 78

SPINSTER, p 47

STANDSTILL, p 87

THE AERONAUTS, p 72

THE ART OF FLAWSOME, p 91

THE ARTIST'S WIFE, p 52

THE BEAR AND THE BEEKEEPER, p 93

THE CHEF, p 87

THE CLIMBERS, p 79

THE CUBAN, p 83

THE GREY FOX, p 81

THE HIDDEN RIVER OF MY LIFE, p 91

THE IRISHMAN, p 49

THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS, p 73

THE MARIJUANA CONSPIRACY, p 83

THE PARTY, p 91

THE REST OF US, p 71

THE STATION, p 86

THE TONY ALVA STORY, p 43

THINGS I DO FOR MONEY, p 84

THIS IS NOT A DRILL, p 86

THUNDERBIRD, p 71

TIPPED, p 85

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN, p 85

VIVARIUM, p 53

VOLITION, p 57

WATERMELON JUICE, p 87

WE HAD IT COMING, p 61

WHEN I GROW UP, p 90

WHY SLUGS HAVE NO LEGS, p 93

WITH ME, p 87

YANDERE, p 85

BY DIRECTORBang, Diana p 86

Barbeau, Paul p 61

Barros D'Sa, Lisa p 75

Benchetler, Chris p 90

Bordas, Ivan p 73

Borsos, Angus p 86

Borsos, Phillip p 81

Buddy Nichols, Coan p42/43

Caouette, Kirk p 84

Castelli, Niccolo p 79

Charnoski, Rick p 42/43

Chin-yee, Aisling p 71

Cisterna, Sean p 59

Davis, Heath p 75

Davis-McGregor, Ciaran p 91

Dean Pilcher, Lydia p 46

Decker, Michael p 90

Deraspe, Sophie p 51

Dolby, Tom p 52

Dorfman, Andrea p 47

Dorsey, Nicole p 58

Edwards, Nigel p 63

Edwards, SB p 69

Finnegan, Lorcan p 53

Gaudreault, Émile p 50

Haché, Ryan p 86

Hamlet, Tyler p 90

Harper, Tom p 72

Hemphill, Ritchie p86

Höchli, Aline p 93

Hopkins, Allan p 85

Huttema, Mitch p 91

Hadad, Sonia K. p 87

Kapur, Aparna p 85

Karaman, Onur p 59

Kashcheeva, Daria p 86

Kim, Gloria Ui Young p 69

Laboury, William p 85

Ladds, Dylan p 90

LaLonde, Jeremy p 57

Lee, Daniel p 79

Jenny Lee-Gilmore, p 91

Leite-Rogers, Alysse p 85

Lepage, Marquise p 61

Leyburn, Glenn p 75

Liu, Helen p 91

Luta, Francis p 62

MacKenzie, Colin p 85

Matchewan, Derius p 87

McDonald, Bruce p 54

McGregor, Benjamin p 91

Mendes, Simon p 86

Mengesha, Weyni p 87

Milburn, Mark p 90

Mileska, Kristina p 93

Moray, Irene p 87

Navarretta, Sergio p 83

Neu, Lois p 78

William Nicholson, p 51

Nirmala Widjajanto, Andrea p 91

O’Brien, Katharine p 41

Oates, Melanie p 68

Oritt, Steven p 78

Paszt, Michael p 63

Pryce, Craig p 83

Rocque, Daniel p 93

Roher, Daniel p 65

Plowden, Philip S. p 53

Sabbagh, Geordie p 82

San Martin, Agustina p 85

Sanchez, Pascal p 86

Saville, Katrina p 85

Scherfig, Lorne p 73

Scorsese, Martin p 49

Scura, Ryan p 90

Seth, Gaurav p 55

Shannon, Katia p 87

Silverberg, Alayna p 87/89

Smierciak, Cate p 86

Smith, Tony Dean p 57

Snow, Rebecca p 65

Sonoda, Warren P. p 84

Souza Nunes, Gabriel p 91

Sparkes, Christian p 55

Steve,Ravi p 86

Treeshin, Nicholas p 71

Trusler, Jay p 90

Vanderlinden, Joshua p 91

Voss, Kassandra p 93

Waunch, Jordan p 93

Wing, Andrea p 90

Woodward, Kate p 91

Yoo, Jerome p 93

Yoshida, Mayumi p 86

Zheng, Hao p 87

127

HOSPITALITY PARTNERS

Savour Whistler at these participating WFF restaurant partners in between films and events.

DINING RESERVATIONS

21 STEPS 4433 Sundial Place 604-966-2121

BASALT13-4154 Village Green 604-962-9011

BEARFOOT BISTRO4121 Village Green 604-932-3433

EARLS KITCHEN & BAR4295 Blackcomb Way 604-935-3222

GRILL & VINE (WESTIN RESORT & SPA)4090 Whistler Way 604-935-4338

MONGOLIE GRILL4295 Blackcomb Way 604-938-9416

QUATTRO4319 Main Street 604-905-4844

THE GRILL ROOM (FAIRMONT CHATEAU)4599 Chateau Boulevard 604-938-8000

CASUAL DINING & NIGHTLIFE

BRICKWORKS PUBLIC HOUSE4308 Main Street 604-962-2929

BUFFALO BILLS BAR & GRILL4122 Village Green 604-932-6613

DUBH LINN GATE4329 Sundial Crescent 604-905-4047

FIREROCK LOUNGE4090 Whistler Way 604-905-5000

GARIBALDI LIFT COMPANY4165 Springs Lane 604-905-2220

LONGHORN SALOON4284 Mountain Square 604-932-5999

STONESEDGE 13–4122 Village Green 604-962-9292

TAPLEYS4119 Golfers Approach 604-932-4011

THREE BELOW4295 Blackcomb Way 604-962-0601

TOMMYS4204 Village Square 604-932-6090

QUICK BITES

ALL SEASONS GRILL8-4314 Main Street 604-905-5090

BLENZ WHISTLER101-4338 Main Street 604-905-5475

GONE EATERY4205 Village Square 604-938-1990

STARBUCKS COFFEE CO. 123-4295 Blackcomb Way 604-938-0611

120-4340 Lorimer Road 604-905-0833

10-4154 Village Green 604-905-5560

TIM HORTONS2012 London Lane 604-848-4161

CATERING

THE COLLECTIVE KITCHEN14-1209 Alpha Lake Road 604-698-8647

WHISTLER COOKS4-1345 Alpha Lake Road 604-938-8835

WANT TO BE A FILMMAKER?Find hands-on, real-world

training at CapU

CAPILANOU.CA/FILM

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rdière

TELEFILM.CA

SEE BIGGERCANADIAN TALENT SHINES BRIGHT ON THE WORLD STAGE. TELEFILM CANADA IS PROUD TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE HOMEGROWN SUCCESS.

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