Alberta talent shines on the big screen at upcoming Calgary Film Festival
Local filmmakers, screenwriters, actors and scenery well represented at 2017 Calgary Film Festival
Even when you can't recognize the scenery, there will be plenty of Alberta on screen at the upcoming 2017 Calgary International Film Festival.
That's because the festival rolled out a slate of films (and some TV) with Alberta connections on Thursday, which they will screen at the 2017 edition of the Calgary International Film Festival, kicking off Sept. 20.
There will be films directed by Albertans, such as Tragedy Girls, which was also co-written by Albertan Tyler MacIntyre. Some are written by Albertans, such as Buckout Road, by Calgarian Matthew Currie Holmes, which is actually set in upstate rural New York.
Calgary TV series to be screened
Some are shot in Alberta, such as Tin Star, a British TV series featuring Tim Roth that was the first show shot at the Calgary Film Centre. The festival will screen an episode, as well as featuring the cast and producers of Wynonna Earp, the Calgary-shot sci-fi Western, at a special Showcase Alberta event.
Suck It Up, a road trip comedy partially shot in Calgary and starring Edmonton actors Erin Carter and Grace Glowicki, will be featured at the Closing Night Gala on Sept. 30. A Swingers Weekend features Calgary actor Erin Karplunk, along with Calgary Film Festival alumnus Jonas Chernick, who appeared previously in the films My Awkward Sexual Adventure and How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town. Wall, by Calgary director Cam Christensen and British playwright David Hare, will have its world premiere in Calgary.
Local productions showcased
Birth of a Family tells of the story of a family of four children separated by residential school who reunite outside Banff National Park. Entanglement, from Calgary screenwriter Jason Filiatraut, is a dark comedy that takes a closer look at one family's deep, dark secrets. Ice Blue is a thriller from Calgary screenwriter Jason Long, who has written three features (Turning Paige, Walk All Over Me and Chokeslam) for Calgary director Robert Cuffley.
Made in Vietnam traces the journey of Vietnamese-Calgarian Thi Vo as he searches for his long lost father, while Everfall, from Calgary director John Kissack is a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a former figure skating phenomenon who must skate for her life. Gregoire from Alberta filmmaker Cody Brown, is a made-in-Fort-McMurray feature that takes a deep dive into the coming of age of four young Fort Mac residents.
No Roads In, which will be featured in a special screening Sept. 27 at the National Music Centre, promises to take viewers on a musical journey across Alberta.
"It amazes me how many local productions there are for us to consider," said Brenda Lieberman, programming manager of the Calgary International Film Festival. "This year the genre diversity stands out, as well as the number of films not only by Albertans who live and work here, but also by those who have moved away, who still have solid roots in Calgary. We're really proud of this year's line up."
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