The Ottawa Canadian Film Festival announced its 2018 line-up at an event hosted by sponsor SAWVideo this past weekend. This year’s festival will take place on Saturday November 3rd at Arts Court Theatre.
“We are excited by the variety of themes, styles and artistic approaches taken by all of the artists featured at this year’s festival. They reflect the diversity of our community today and bring fresh insights to our audiences.” said festival programmer Blair Campbell, one of the founders of the festival.
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!
Screening 1 on November 3, 2018 at 2 p.m.
the art of the morning dir: Nathan Hauch (Ottawa, ON) – 5:41
A lyrical look at how one person prepares for the day ahead, savouring each moment.
Harevan dir: Marilou Caravecchia-Pelletier (Montreal, QC) – 16:00
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.
Russian Gangster dir: Maissa Houri (Ottawa, ON) – 11:39
Nikolai Dalca has been aspiring to be a great actor in Hollywood. The only thing stopping him is who he is… More…
As It Was dir: Blake Garbe (Toronto, ON) – 15:00
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.
It Could Be You dir: Cody Westman (St. John’s, NL) – 12:44
‘It could be you!’ says the big cardboard man in the convenience store. Bernie knows it will never be him. Still, as he trudges through life in a grey, dull world where people say as little as possible to each other, the highlight of Bernie’s soul-crushing daily routine is buying, checking and then crumpling his losing lottery tickets. What Bernie doesn’t know – yet – is that fortune comes in many forms, and at any moment it can slam into you like a speeding car. Or in this case, an SUV.
Away Home dir: Jana Stackhouse (Toronto, ON) – 20:00
A man returns to his family home on the East Coast of Canada to unite his family and say goodbye to his terminally ill mother.
Super Bingo dir: Matthew J. Blecha (Vancouver, BC) – 13:19
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 2 on November 3, 2018 at 5 p.m.
What We Owe dir: Bryce Mercier (Oakville, ON) – 12:30
Noah struggles with moving forward with his serious girlfriend Emily, as he wants to be there 24/7 for his sick mother, Ann. When it is suggested that Ann be moved into an assisted living home, Noah cannot seem to let go, even the slightest. More…
Intercept dir: Kirk Knapp (Ottawa, ON) – 4:46
After breaking up with her boyfriend, a tech glitch connects two strangers together.
End of the Night dir: Tavit Melikian (Montreal, QC) – 13:51
After the accidental death of his best friend, Jimmy comes to believe that the friend now haunts his car, but selling it – even with the brother’s help – takes them to a very dark place. More…
The True North Project dir: Emil Agopian (Calgary, AB) – 50:00
The True North Project, commissioned by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, is a celebration of Canada’s multi-ethnic society and its ongoing process of reconciliation with the indigenous community. In this celebration of diversity, artists from vastly different backgrounds are brought together to create a collaborative work for orchestra. The documentary focuses on national identity and the idea of “home,” in a country where 20 percent of the population is foreign-born. The film offers insights into the creative processes of artists from different cultural backgrounds and from different regions of Canada, as they work together towards a common goal. The documentary is about hope for the future, and brings attention to the enrichments brought by the coexistence of different peoples and cultures within the framework of a nation.
Screening 3 on November 3, 2018 at 8 p.m.
Angels dir: Taylor Olson (Halifax, NS) – 10:00
A young Dad struggles to reconcile with protecting his daughter and bringing her up in a world that has nothing to offer her and will only take everything from her. More…
Pur Laine dir: Alexander Cruz (Ottawa, ON) – 1:33:27
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.
Ottawa received promising news on a proposed sound stage and creative hub that would be located at the old NCC Greenbelt Research Farmproperty on Woodroffe Ave. The Ottawa Film Office recently announced its proposal to build a sound stage with partner, Tribro Studios This news is very exciting for Ottawa’s film industry. The proposal had identified the need for a large sound stage that could make Ottawa a bigger player in the numerous film productions happening in Canada.
The opportunities this sound stage could bring to Ottawa’s film community are plentiful. The Ottawa Film Office hinted that the sound stage could lead to the creation of over 500 jobs in Ottawa, and millions in economic activity relating to productions.
While the proposal will be considered over the coming months, this sound stage could bring Ottawa to a new and exciting phase for the local Ottawa film industry as well as for Canadian and International film makers.
To find out more about this initiative, you can attend the site visit and open house for the proposed soundstage.
WHAT: National Capital Commission (NCC) public consultation on the suggested amendment to its Greenbelt Master Plan WHEN: September 5, 2018, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. WHERE: Greenbelt Research Farm, 1740 Woodroffe Avenue, Building 401 DETAILS: https://ottawa.film/soundstage
We are pleased to announce that the Vimy Brewing Company is a sponsor of our 2018 Festival.
Founded by brothers Kevin and Michael Sirko, the company strives to be wholly-Canadian. In the spirit of our mission to promote Canadian films and filmmakers, here’s a short YouTube video interview with Michael Sirko put together by Carleton Journalism grads Jeff Pelletier and Emma Rektor.
We are pleased to announce that SAWVideo Media Art Centre will be returning as a sponsor for our 2018 Festival.
Initiated in 1981, SAW Video is a not-for-profit, artist-run media art centre that fosters the growth and development of artists through access to equipment, training, mentorship, and programming. Their mission is to support a diverse community of media artists empowered by technology, programming and the exchange of ideas.
In January 2018, SAW Video Media Art Centre celebrated its grand re-opening in a new purpose-built space as part of the Ottawa Arts Court re-development. Our OCanFilmFest2018 Kickoff Event with announcement of our line-up will take place SAW Video’s Knot Project Space at 2 Daly Avenue on Saturday September 8th at 5pm. If you are in the Ottawa area, it will be a great opportunity to check out SAWVideo’s new digs. Hope to see you there.
