By Nicole Obre
The Reel Canadian Film Festival (RCFF) is back for another year. Celebrating its sixth anniversary, the celebration of the Canadian film-making industry kicks off with an opening gala on Friday, January 17, a closing reception on January 19, and a jam-packed schedule in between.
Five stunning Canadian films will be on display, as well as National Film Board shorts to entertain a younger crowd. The popular film shorts screening 'Focus On' city for 2014 is the Kootenays.
The Reel Canadian Film Festival is an off-shoot of The Arts Station’s Indie Films Fernie series. Inspired by the popularity of the series, a dedicated group of volunteers embarked upon creating a festival that would have a more specific focus, while celebrating the dedication, skill, talent, and diversity within the Canadian film industry.
Normally held in March, the RCFF Steering Committee made the decision to move the festival up to a weekend earlier in the winter this time around.
“We think this will have lots of benefits for both attendees and sponsors as it is during the coldest, darkest period of the year, so a great time to go watch films for both locals and visitors,” explained Keya White, Steering Committee member. “It is also the peak of film season when people are thinking about the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Canadian Screen Awards, etc.”
Opening night will feature Eyes in the Forest, a short film by experimental filmmaker Miriam Needoba, who hails from Nelson, B.C. The movie gives a rare glimpse into B.C.'s remote Selkirk Mountains, seen through the eyes of wildlife photographer Jim Lawrence. Combining the startling imagery of Lawrence's still photography with Needoba's sublime cinematography, Eyes in the Forest is both a study of landscape and wildlife, as well as a conversation between two artists and their art forms. Needoba and Lawrence will both be in attendance at the opening gala.
Festival passes and opening night tickets are now available at The Arts Station and online at www.theartsstation.eventbrite.com. For a complete schedule and more information visit www.reelfilmfest.ca.