Known as "the little festival with big dreams," the three-day event is presented by the Charlottetown Film Society and is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating films from and about Atlantic Canada.
We asked the Festival's Executive Director Cheryl Wagner to weigh in on a few topics:
With a re-imagining of the film festival, during a year like no other, what was your greatest challenge going from screen to stream to a virtual festival and providing in-person experiences with COVID protocols?
"Lucky us, but this 'little film festival of big dreams' is the only regional film festival that can offer both viewing at our wee but wonderful City Cinema and on-line streaming. We are limited to 30 seats due to COVID . . . but for filmmakers it is a basic need to have an audience and to see and hear their response."
Self [ISOLATION], four clever shorts by Dominique Girouard, will screen and stream during How Ya Doin Today? Coping? Hoping? Moping? on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. (Charlottetown Film Festival)What are some stand-out films that will stick with audiences long after the festival?
"Monster Under the Bed by Shannon Shura is fun and surprising . . . but I think Dominique Girouard's four clever shorts of him in a bunny suit trying to cope with COVID will remain indelible."
Shannon Shura moved to PEI to make films. Her short film, Monster Under the Bed, is in the lineup for the film fest. (Charlottetown Film Festival)
What is the best kept secret at this year's festival? Perhaps it's that one film, an organizational triumph, that made you, or you believe will make audiences go "WOW"? That WOW Factor?
"The best kept secret is our Industry Panels via Zoom, which are a last-minute addition to ChFF20."
"Topics like Casting Without A Casting Agent: Tips, Tricks and True Stories, Telefilm's International Discoverability: A Power Point Presentation, and the fun and informing Puppets Up for the Screen with Robert Mills — aka Fuzzy Dust Bunny — from The Big Comfy Couch are happening Friday and another added on Monday."
William Wright and Shane Pendergast (right) will have their films Psychology of Demons, and Song for the Stevedore, respectively, roll this year at the Charlottetown Film Fest. (Courtesy ChFF20)Is there an unsung hero of the Charlottetown Film Festival already emerging even before the fest opens (a film already creating a buzz perhaps)?
"The 'new kids on the block' like Shane Pendergast (Song of the Stevedore) fresh from Ryerson film school and teenager William Wright with his first short film Psychology of Demons indicates great things ahead for film on P.E.I."
IN THE SPOTLIGHT - ATLANTIC CANADIAN SHORTS
The Charlottetown Film Festival has many movies for you to screen over three days. Here are a few shorts that may catch your eye.
BLACK OUT: TEO by Israel Ekanem
Mateo (Teo) Ferguson’s experience of being Black and queer in Halifax is unveiled in the film Black Out: Teo, produced by Israel Ekanem. Videography by Israel Ekanem and David Laughlin. It is part of the In Search of Ourselves series at the Charlottetown Film Festival. (CBC)
MERB'YS by Jamie Miller
Newfoundlanders of varying bodies, identities, ethnicities, and experiences of masculinity come together to create something silly and meaningful in the 2020 MerB’ys Calendar. Hasan, John, Jason/Irma Gerd and Sheldon open up about vulnerability, gender, and glitter, in a project creating space for men to be their authentic selves. It is part of the In Search of Ourselves series. (Charlottetown Film Festival)
RAW by Kanaar Bell
Kanaar Bell first performed Raw at an open mic night at CBC Nova Scotia in August 2019. Raw is written and performed by Bell. Videography by Nic Takushi and animation by Clara Chen. It is part of the In Search of Ourselves series on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. (Greg Guy / CBC)
WHEELS OF LIFE by Andrea Cass
Wheels of Life is a short documentary that covers a single summer day in the lives of three long-term care residents as they enjoy a bit of freedom on an adaptive bicycle built for two. It is part of the Howdy Neighbour: Newfoundland & Labrador series on Saturday. (Charlottetown Film Festival)
CEDDY THE BARBER by Dave Culligan + Gavin Hatheway
Cedric DeChamp, known as Ceddy the Barber, started cutting hair in his teens. The self-taught barber and artist with the motto 'good, better, best' is featured in this film by Dave Culligan and Gavin Hatheway. It screens as part of the In Search of Ourselves series at the Charlottetown Film Festival. (CBC)
