SJIWFF to show nearly 50 films, 11 locally-made shorts
After going through hundreds of submissions, organizers of the St. John's International Women's Film Festival say they've put together a superb lineup for the 26th annual festival next month.
On Wednesday, an audience of filmmakers, sponsors and members of the film industry got a sneak peek of the lineup, which includes nearly 50 films from around the world and 11 locally-made shorts.
The festival takes place at various venues in St. John's, Oct. 20 to 24.
Chris Bonnell, executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corp., said the local film and television industry is a major economic driver, bringing in new money from outside Newfoundland and Labrador.
"In the fiscal year of 2014-15, there was $22 million in production activity — and it leveraged $16 million of investment into the province's film and television sector," he said.
Festival attracts about 4,000 people annually
Provincial cabinet minister and St. John's West MHA Dan Crummell said the province invested close to $85,000 in programs for the festival in 2015.
"Our government has worked closely with the St. John's International Women's Film Festival, in order to diversify and meet the needs of the ever-changing needs of the film and media sectors," said Crummell.
Some of that diversification money went into the Interactive Incubator Project, designed to assist women develop web-based projects.
It may be a busy production year for the industry, but some of the work won't be ready until next year.
Festival chair Noreen Golfman told CBC the focus at Wednesday's news conference was on the festival itself.
"Serving the arts community and serving the the viewing audience as well, but signaling that there is work in this industry for anyone who has the courage and guts to go with it," she said.
Established in 1989, to support and promote women filmmakers, the festival is one of the longest-running women's film festivals in the world. The annual event has been attracting up to 4,000 people annually.
For the complete film schedule, click here.
