The Ottawa Canadian Film Festival’s 2018 Film Festival Program will take place at the Arts Court Theatre (2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa) on November 3, 2018.
Congratulations to all the selected filmmakers and their crews!
OCanFilmFest2018 – Pur Laine – Alexander Cruz
Pur Laine – Synopsis
An old man suddenly dies, leaving his most recent wife to sell the house and start a new life. When his daughter from a previous marriage appears and claims the house is hers, all hell breaks loose.
World Premiere Screening at #OCanFilmFest2018 on November 3 at 8 p.m.
About the director, Alexander Cruz
Alexander was born and raised in Ottawa (b. 1985), but has worked and lived in Calgary, Toronto and Manila. He spent most of his twenties looking for greener pastures as a production assistant and videographer for different studios. Once he realized you have to be rich to be a starving artist, he returned to Ottawa a few years back and found inspiration telling local stories. He has made several short documentaries like “Mémoires sans frontières,” (2012),“Fiesta” (2013) and “68 années de l’hiver” (2014), and other experimental art house stuff that even he doesn’t quite understand. His films have been exhibited at art and film festivals across Canada, in the United States and in South East Asia. With “Pur Laine” (2018), he followed the advice of others and wrote about what he knows: the struggle of first and second-generation immigrants, and the lingering anxieties of les habitants. He lives in Hull.
What inspired your film? Continue reading “OCanFilmFest2018 – Pur Laine – Alexander Cruz”
OCanFilmFest2018 – Super Bingo – Matthew Blecha
Super Bingo – Synopsis
When Leo, the bingo hall number-caller unexpectedly quits, Steve the concessions guy is forced to take his place to call out the numbers. Steve then builds up his courage and uses the opportunity at the microphone to makes his dreams come true.
Screening at #OCanFilmFest2018 on November 3 at 2 p.m.
About the director, Matthew Blecha
Born in Sault Ste. Marie and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Matthew Blecha developed an interest in filmmaking at Queen’s University in Kingston. After graduating with a B.A (Honors) in 1989 in film Studies, Matthew moved to Vancouver and entered the film industry as a production assistant, working on features films such as This Boy’s Life and Look Who’s Talking Now, and Television shows such as MacGyver & Neon Rider
In 1991, Matthew joined the Director’s Guild of Canada, and started a career as an assistant director working on many Canadian & American films and television series both in B.C. and Alberta including Needful Things, The X-Files, Jake & The Kid, Stargate SG-1, Mysterious Ways, the L.A. Law Reunion, and most recently Spooksville & Signed Sealed Delivered. In 2002, Matthew joined the Canadian Academy of Film and Television. Continue reading “OCanFilmFest2018 – Super Bingo – Matthew Blecha”
OCanFilmFest 2018 – Harevan – Marilou Caravecchia-Pelletier
Harevan – Synopsis
Constrained by her shyness, Clemence is struggling to build relationships with others. To help, she spends time with her Armenian neighbor in whom she will find a confidant.
Screening at #OCanFilmFest2018 on November 3 at 2 p.m.
About the director, Marilou Caravecchia-Pelletier
Born in Montreal, Marilou Caravecchia-Pelletier was raised by a Quebec born father and a Franco-Italian mother. Her origins motivated her to travel, first to visit her family, later to fulfill a passion. Graduate from the program of cinema at UQAM in the director profile, this young filmmaker draws inspiration from many subjects that touch her deeply to convey her own vision of the world and to try to move others.
What inspired your film? Continue reading “OCanFilmFest 2018 – Harevan – Marilou Caravecchia-Pelletier”
OCanFilmFest2018 – Intercept – Kirk Knapp
Intercept – Synopsis
After breaking up with her boyfriend, a tech glitch connects two strangers together.
Screening at #OCanFilmFest2018 on November 3 rd at 5 p.m.
Intercept was produced for the spring 2018 Digi60 Film Festival in Ottawa, Canada. It premiered at the Mayfair Theater in May 2018 with over 30 other short films. This is the DIRECTOR’S CUT which has an additional 2 minutes of footage and a re-scored soundtrack.
About the director, Kirk Knapp
Kirk Knapp is an Ottawa-based filmmaker.
What inspired your film? Continue reading “OCanFilmFest2018 – Intercept – Kirk Knapp”
OCanFilmFest2018 – As It Was – Blake Garbe
As It Was – Synopsis
A young boy, Mason, senses that the relationship between his parents isn’t as perfect as he thought. His older siblings are coming to terms with their futures already, while he struggles to understand the nature of family separation.
Screening at #OCanFilmFest2018 on November 3 at 2 p.m.
About the director, Blake Garbe
Blake Garbe is a Canadian-born director who works out of Toronto, ON. Blake has directed multiple short films including As It Was (2017), #JoelforPrez (2016), The Feeding (2015) and Bright Idea (2015). His films have been accepted into multiple festivals such as Toronto Youth Shorts TS180, #TOFF, LA Cinefest and The Kyiv International Film Festival.
What inspired your film?
The inspiration for the film came from writer, Celise LaGrange. It was a subject close to her heart and came from experience as a child of divorce. Continue reading “OCanFilmFest2018 – As It Was – Blake Garbe”