Discover your regional pride at FCFF as we honour world class films and filmmakers that have a connection to Southwestern Ontario. Come to the festival and rub shoulders with filmmakers at parties and screenings, ask them your questions, join them for up-close conversations, learn about the craft of filmmaking and see fabulous and unique films! This is a week that no film lover should miss!
Director: Piotr Cieplak | Producer: Piotr Cieplak, Clementine Dusabejambo
Synopsis: The 1994 genocide in Rwanda claimed almost a million lives in just 100 days. The world stood by as men, women and children were being hacked to death by machetes. When the international community finally decided it was time to pay attention, it did so through memorable photographs of mutilated bodies and seas of nameless refugees. But many Rwandans remember their loved ones through images of life, not death: a passport or I.D. card photo, an unguarded snap taken in the garden or a group portrait from a wedding or a baptism. The surviving images are precious objects, with so many destroyed and lost forever. A lot of people have only a solitary image of their loved ones. Many have none at all.
The Faces We Lost follows nine Rwandans (survivors, relatives of victims and professional memory-makers), who guide us through their stories and share their experiences, remembrance and images. It is the first documentary to explore the many functions of these priceless photographs, and one of the few films to engage with Rwandans as users of images, rather than simply their subjects.
A modern adaptation of the classic Greek tragedy which falls within a social realism. To the law of men, the young Antigone opposes her own sets of values.
A film that follows one survivior and his London-based lawyer as they pursue justice through a public trial in the hopes of forcing the dark and hidden story of clergy sexual abuse to light. Opening Night Screening, and Winner of Best Documentary and the Old Oak Audience Choice Award at FCFF 2019!
A profile of giraffe researcher Anne Dagg who, in 1956, became one of the first people to ever observe and report on animal behaviour. Screened at FCFF 2019, this beautiful documentary was an audience favourite, accompanied with an awe-inspiring on-stage conversation with Anne Dagg.
Take Me To Prom, Dir. Andrew MoirShort Documentary
FCFF Alumnus and SWO filmmaker, Andrew Moir, presents this award-winning short documentary. Revisit the iconic adolescent milestone of Prom through interviews with LGBTQ people ranging in age from 17 to 88.
What Walaa Wants (2018), Dir. Christy GarlandFeature Documentary
Raised in a refugee camp in the West Bank, while her mother was in prison, Walaa is determined to survive basic training to become one of the few women on the Palestinian Security Forces - not easy for a girl who breaks all the rules.
Meet the fascinating felines and the people who pamper them in this whimsical look at the ins and outs of Canada’s competitive cat show circuit, where the claws come out when a Turkish Angora and an adorable fluffy red Persian face off to take home the national award for Best in Show. Screened at FCFF 2018.
London animator, Sarah Legault/s collaboration with musician iskwe, this animation recaps the callous and racist way the media covered the murders of two indigenous youth in 2016. Winner of Best Animation at FCFF 2019.
A movie about a play, adapted from a play about a play inspired by real events - phew! To research a play he’s in, an actor takes a job as a labourer on a farm owned by two lifelong friends. Opening Night film and winner of the Best Feature and Old Oak Audience Choice awards at FCFF 2018!
Meet the Mikes in this short about Ontario rock climbers who are passionate about keeping the stoke high while climbing the 200 ft. cliffs on Georgian Bay. See how the Mikes decided to bring the community together and bring up-and-comers to the awe-inspiring cliffs at Lion's Head Provincial Park.
Nests of Gold (2018), Dir. Alan PoonShort Documentary
WInner of Best Short Documentary at FCFF 2018, this is a visual journey following one of the world’s most expensive foods. From its creation in the remote island caves of the Philippines, to its transformation into the legendary Cantonese dish, Bird’s Nest Soup, at a 3 Michelin Star restaurant. This film examines this delicacy and the different lives that are touched by it.
St Louis Superman, Dir. by Sami Khan and Smriti MundhraShort Documentary
Bruce Franks Jr., a Ferguson activist and battle rapper who was elected to the overwhelmingly white and Republican Missouri House of Representatives, must overcome both personal trauma and political obstacles to pass a critical bill for his community. Previously screened at FCFF Film Club in 2020.
Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier and Edward Burtynsky
Synopsis: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Less than 25 minutes in length. Any Genre $500 prize money
Judges:
JOHN KAPELOS - Actor / Writer / Producer
In the three decades since John Kapelos co-starred in the pop cultural phenomenon: THE BREAKFAST CLUB he has consistently proven himself as one of the most versatile and popular actors of his generation, heralded for his work in both comedy and drama on the big and small screens.
John co-starred in a several of John Hughes’ generation-defining Brat Pack films, notably THE BREAKFAST CLUB (as Carl the Janitor), 16 CANDLES and WEIRD SCIENCE. John Hughes discovered John while Kapelos was a member of the resident company at Chicago’s legendary SECOND CITY. He spent 8 years with Second City, both on their Chicago main stage, in their National Touring Company and in ORWELL THAT ENDS WELL, their triumphant 1984 off-Broadway return at the celebrated Village Gate in Manhattan.
Since that time John has made his mark in more than 70 features films including LEGALLY BLONDE, ROXANNE, THE SHAPE OF WATER. John loves independent film and has worked on over 250 film and television projects in his career as actor, writer, and producer. He is a London Ontario native and a big supporter of the film industry in this region. John will be seen in Guillermo del Toro's upcoming film NIGHTMARE ALLEY.
COURTNEY McCALLISTER - Head of Development + Co-productions at Vortex Pictures
Courtney is a passionate and dedicated writer/producer. Most recently, Courtney wrote an elevated horror script (Don’t Click) that is going into production in April, 2019.
Over the past two years, she has helped both emerging and established filmmakers develop and package their scripts. Of the 100+ scripts she’s read and provided notes for, she has proudly seen seven greenlit projects go to camera— selling well internationally afterwards. And though her background is in writing, this past spring/summer, Courtney produced the critically acclaimed documentary series Street Spirits for Bell Canada. Moreover, Courtney managed the production on Night Owl, a web-series that premiered at SXSW Film Festival in March, 2018.
Less than 120 minutes in length. Any Genre. $500 prize money
Judges:
JOHN KAPELOS - Actor / Writer / Producer
In the three decades since John Kapelos co-starred in the pop cultural phenomenon: THE BREAKFAST CLUB he has consistently proven himself as one of the most versatile and popular actors of his generation, heralded for his work in both comedy and drama on the big and small screens.
John co-starred in a several of John Hughes’ generation-defining Brat Pack films, notably THE BREAKFAST CLUB (as Carl the Janitor), 16 CANDLES and WEIRD SCIENCE. John Hughes discovered John while Kapelos was a member of the resident company at Chicago’s legendary SECOND CITY. He spent 8 years with Second City, both on their Chicago main stage, in their National Touring Company and in ORWELL THAT ENDS WELL, their triumphant 1984 off-Broadway return at the celebrated Village Gate in Manhattan.
Since that time John has made his mark in more than 70 features films including LEGALLY BLONDE, ROXANNE, THE SHAPE OF WATER. John loves independent film and has worked on over 250 film and television projects in his career as actor, writer, and producer. He is a London Ontario native and a big supporter of the film industry in this region. John will be seen in Guillermo del Toro's upcoming film NIGHTMARE ALLEY.
COURTNEY McCALLISTER - Head of Development + Co-productions at Vortex Pictures
Courtney is a passionate and dedicated writer/producer. Most recently, Courtney wrote an elevated horror script (Don’t Click) that is going into production in April, 2019.
Over the past two years, she has helped both emerging and established filmmakers develop and package their scripts. Of the 100+ scripts she’s read and provided notes for, she has proudly seen seven greenlit projects go to camera— selling well internationally afterwards. And though her background is in writing, this past spring/summer, Courtney produced the critically acclaimed documentary series Street Spirits for Bell Canada. Moreover, Courtney managed the production on Night Owl, a web-series that premiered at SXSW Film Festival in March, 2018.
Films up to 40 minutes. It qualifies if any member of the key artistic team are from or currently reside in Southwestern Ontario or if it was shot in Southwestern Ontario. Subject matter does not need to be restricted to Southwestern Ontario. $500 prize money
Judges:
CRAIG THOMPSON - Experienced director / Writer / Producer
Craig Thompson is an experienced Director, Writer and Producer whose company, Ballinran Entertainment, marks its 25 th anniversary in 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Craig and his team adapted quickly to the changing film and television production landscape. In March, his 22- minute documentary Inside Wuhan was one of the highest-rated programs of the season for CTV’s W5. Directed and Produced from Canada, Inside Wuhan was shot undercover in the epicentre of the coronavirus using a camera smuggled into the city where a Canadian expat provided a glimpse of life in a city under lockdown. Other recent credits include the Alex Trebek documentary Game Changers, nominated for a 2020 Canadian Screen Award for Best Arts or Biography Documentary; streaming worldwide on Netflix, The Truth is in the Stars, with William Shatner and featuring a raft of international celebrities including Stephen Hawking in one of his last documentary interviews. Ballinran is currently in production on the Cirque du Soleil documentary, Balancing Act, filmed in China and is adapting for the screen Richard Wright’s award-winning novel Clara Callan. Prior to setting out as an independent producer, Craig was an on-camera reporter for CTV National News with Lloyd Robertson, a correspondent for CBC’s The National and for three years in the 1980s served as the London correspondent for CBC National Radio News, covering “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland. In addition to his production career, Craig has taught documentary filmmaking at the University of Waterloo. He is also active in his community of Stratford, Ontario, operating the art house cinema, Queen of the Square Cinema, located in the city’s historic city hall auditorium.
ALEX ROGALSKI - Film programmer
Alex has been a professional film programmer for more than a decade focusing on documentary and Canadian cinema for festivals across the country including TIFF, Hot Docs, Calgary International Film Festival, Victoria Film Festival, Gimme Some Truth, and others. He is the founder of the One Take Super 8 Event. This event started in Regina in 2000 and has spread across North America, helping to create more than 1000 independent films.
In addition to his film curation, Alex is currently a program consultant with the Saskatchewan Arts Board and was previously the Executive Director of PAVED Arts in Saskatoon. He holds a Masters in Communication and Culture from York and Ryerson Universities and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film from the University of Regina and has written for publications including POV magazine.
Any length between 40 to 120 minutes qualify for documentary. It qualifies if any member of the key artistic team are from or currently reside in Southwestern Ontario or if it was shot in Southwestern Ontario. Subject matter does not need to be restricted to Southwestern Ontario. $500 prize money
Judges:
CRAIG THOMPSON - Experienced director / Writer / Producer
Craig Thompson is an experienced Director, Writer and Producer whose company, Ballinran Entertainment, marks its 25 th anniversary in 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Craig and his team adapted quickly to the changing film and television production landscape. In March, his 22- minute documentary Inside Wuhan was one of the highest-rated programs of the season for CTV’s W5. Directed and Produced from Canada, Inside Wuhan was shot undercover in the epicentre of the coronavirus using a camera smuggled into the city where a Canadian expat provided a glimpse of life in a city under lockdown. Other recent credits include the Alex Trebek documentary Game Changers, nominated for a 2020 Canadian Screen Award for Best Arts or Biography Documentary; streaming worldwide on Netflix, The Truth is in the Stars, with William Shatner and featuring a raft of international celebrities including Stephen Hawking in one of his last documentary interviews. Ballinran is currently in production on the Cirque du Soleil documentary, Balancing Act, filmed in China and is adapting for the screen Richard Wright’s award-winning novel Clara Callan. Prior to setting out as an independent producer, Craig was an on-camera reporter for CTV National News with Lloyd Robertson, a correspondent for CBC’s The National and for three years in the 1980s served as the London correspondent for CBC National Radio News, covering “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland. In addition to his production career, Craig has taught documentary filmmaking at the University of Waterloo. He is also active in his community of Stratford, Ontario, operating the art house cinema, Queen of the Square Cinema, located in the city’s historic city hall auditorium.
ALEX ROGALSKI - Film programmer
Alex has been a professional film programmer for more than a decade focusing on documentary and Canadian cinema for festivals across the country including TIFF, Hot Docs, Calgary International Film Festival, Victoria Film Festival, Gimme Some Truth, and others. He is the founder of the One Take Super 8 Event. This event started in Regina in 2000 and has spread across North America, helping to create more than 1000 independent films.
In addition to his film curation, Alex is currently a program consultant with the Saskatchewan Arts Board and was previously the Executive Director of PAVED Arts in Saskatoon. He holds a Masters in Communication and Culture from York and Ryerson Universities and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film from the University of Regina and has written for publications including POV magazine.
Minimum of 1 minute up to 15 minutes qualify for animation. It qualifies if any member of the key artistic team spent any of their life in Southwestern Ontario or if it was created in Southwestern Ontario. Subject matter does not need to be restricted to Southwestern Ontario. Payouts only qualify for animations over 3 minutes in length. - $500 prize money
Judge:
KRIS PEARN - Writer / Director / Storyboard artist
His recent Feature animation for Netflix, The Willoughbys starring Ricky Gervais and Martin Short, premiered in the spring of 2020 to excellent reviews. Other credits include Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs one and two, Star Wars: Solo, Open Season, Arthur Christmas, Pirates- Band of Misfits, Shawn the Sheep, Surf’s Up, and Home to name a few. Currently he’s in LA working on his next feature animation project for Netflix.
50% of the team must be currently enrolled in either a high school or a post-secondary school in Southwestern Ontario to qualify. - $500 prize money
Judge:
NEIL HAVERTY - Senior Manager, MVP Project / Prism Prize at the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
Neil Haverty oversees multiple initiatives that aim to spotlight artistry in the Canadian music video industry. The Prism Prize was established in 2012 to recognize extraordinary achievement within the field. The MVP Project, a joint initiative with RBCxMusic, was recently launched to assist in the creation of new music video work by way of production grants for emerging artist teams (comprised of recording artists, directors and producers). Haverty also works as a film composer and musician, most notably as a founding member of Toronto-based ensemble Bruce Peninsula.
As Senior Manager, MVP Project / Prism Prize at the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, Neil Haverty oversees multiple initiatives that aim to spotlight artistry in the Canadian music video industry. The Prism Prize was established in 2012 to recognize extraordinary achievement within the field. The MVP Project, a joint initiative with RBCxMusic, was recently launched to assist in the creation of new music video work by way of production grants for emerging artist teams (comprised of recording artists, directors and producers). Haverty also works as a film composer and musician, most notably as a founding member of Toronto-based ensemble Bruce Peninsula.
This competition is for “Feature Length” screenplays with a minimum of 75 pages and a maximum of 120 pages. Only persons who are permanent residents of Southwestern Ontario are eligible. Multiple levels of prizes. See more information.
Judge:
JESSICA SHADLOCK – Development Manager, Temple Street
Jessica Shadlock is the Development Manager at Temple Street, part of the premium scripted division of Boat Rocker Media. Jessica is responsible for developing television projects for the Canadian and international markets from concept to series order, collaborating with writers, creators and executives across Temple Street’s slate.
Prior to joining the Temple Street team, Jessica was Development Manager at Back Alley Film productions where she helped develop drama series Coroner (CBC) and Bellevue (CBC, WGN America) in addition to managing the company’s development slate and sourcing new projects and IP. Jessica joined Back Alley in 2011, supporting the Executive Producers and company principals during the production of Bomb Girls (Global, Reelz) and the development and production of Played (CTV). A graduate of Ryerson’s RTA School of Media, Jessica got her start on set in the unscripted space on series including Canada’s Worst Driver.
KELLY PAYNEFilm Development Consultant, Ontario Creates
Ontario Creates (formally OMDC) supports the province of Ontario’s creative economy by providing innovative programs, services and funding for the film & television; book & magazine publishing; interactive digital media & music industries. As Program Consultant, Film and Television Ms. Payne brings over 20 years’ of industry experience to the administration and development of programs and strategies which help to drive innovation and growth in Ontario’s creative industries. Her portfolio includes the Film Fund, Industry Development and the Marketing and Distribution Initiative.
CRAIG THOMPSONDirector, Writer, Producer
Craig Thompson is an experienced Director, Writer and Producer whose company, Ballinran Entertainment, marks its 25th anniversary in 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Craig and his team adapted quickly to the changing film and television production landscape. In March, his 22-minute documentary Inside Wuhan was one of the highest-rated programs of the season for CTV’s W5. Directed and Produced from Canada, Inside Wuhan was shot undercover in the epicentre of the coronavirus using a camera smuggled into the city where a Canadian expat provided a glimpse of life in a city under lockdown.
Other recent credits include the Alex Trebek documentary Game Changers, nominated for a 2020 Canadian Screen Award for Best Arts or Biography Documentary; streaming worldwide on Netflix, The Truth is in the Stars, with William Shatner and featuring a raft of international celebrities including Stephen Hawking in one of his last documentary interviews. Ballinran is currently in production on the Cirque du Soleil documentary, Balancing Act, filmed in China and is adapting for the screen Richard Wright’s award-winning novel Clara Callan.
Prior to setting out as an independent producer, Craig was an on-camera reporter for CTV National News with Lloyd Robertson, a correspondent for CBC’s The National and for three years in the 1980s served as the London correspondent for CBC National Radio News, covering “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland.
In addition to his production career, Craig has taught documentary filmmaking at the University of Waterloo. He is also active in his community of Stratford, Ontario, operating the art house cinema, Queen of the Square Cinema, located in the city’s historic city hall auditorium.
He holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts from the Ryerson School of Journalism.
GREG JEFFSClient Service Coordinator William F White International
An NSI Features First alumni, has written and produced short films that have been broadcast, released theatrically and are available on iTunes. His short film, THE HUNT, was named the best short film of 2013 by RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE. His directorial debut, IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD premiered at the 2016 Horror Channel Fright Fest and continues to tour the worldwide festival circuit. Through his work with William F. White he helps new talent learn the industry procedures and develop a plan for their project that will help maximize the results.
JORDAN MORRISWriter/Producer/Screenwriting Instructor, Sighthound Studio
Jordan is an award-winning producer and director of films like Nintendo Quest and FCFF Best Documentary winner, Missing Mom. He has also worked on numerous films as an actor, production designer, art director and screenwriter. Since 2013, Jordan has been creating and hosting popular seminars and workshops on the nebulous art and science of writing screenplays.
DR. CAROL WHITEMANCo-creator & Producer, Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC)
Best known as co-creator and producer of Canada's internationally respected Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) program, Carol Whiteman is a two-time Governor General’s award nominee and multiple award-winner for promoting gender equality in Canada’s screen industry. Since 1997, Whiteman has worked tirelessly to advance the careers, fiction feature films, network television and web series of a generation of female screen writers and directors across Canada and internationally. She produced over 150 short films through WIDC and is executive producer on seven award-winning feature films including Red Snow, Rustic Oracle, and Queen of the Morning Calm, with two more WIDC features in the pipeline. Whiteman recently completed her doctoral degree in education at Simon Fraser University, British Columbia. Her dissertation shares an inspiring chronicle of the tenacity and transformative leadership behind WIDC’s decades-long history. (Photo credit: Wendy D.)
KIRK COOPERDistributor / Festival Strategist
Kirk Cooper is the founder of Film Market Access, a film consulting and PR firm. Kirk’s contribution to the international film community spans over 17 years with experience in the global arts and the entertainment industry. His strength lies in Film Programming, Communications, Professional Development, and Project Management for Film. Kirk has created film programming for festivals such as - Durham Region International Film Festival, Victoria International Film Festival, ReelWorld Film Festival, Inside Out (LGBT) Film Festival, Planet In Focus, Canadian Film Festival, River to River, Pan Africa Film Festival. Kirk is currently the Festival Manager for Raven Banner Entertainment - a genre distributor in Canada.
PENNY EIZENGAFilmmaker, Dog-eared Productions
Penny is an alumnus of Women in the Director’s Chair, with the feature screenplay A Far Cry, co-written with Gordon Pinsent. Filming planned for spring 2021. Penny directed and produced several award-winning short films and the feature, Go Fish and 20 concept television pilots in collaboration with The Incubator Studio. She produced a 21-episode digital series called The Giant Comes Out, which screened at the LA Comedy Fest. Her feature screenplay, Put Your Lips On, is currently in development with a UK-based production company.
ADAM CAPLANProducer/Director, web.isod.es
Founder of web.isod.es, a London, Ontario-based Story Studio that creates authentic stories for social and interactive experiences. Previously, Adam was Creative Director at Cineplex Digital Networks, Executive Site Producer at hsn.com, and has lectured on e-commerce strategy at Western University for over a decade. Prior to that, Adam worked in emerging media in Los Angeles, California. Adam currently serves on the Board of the Ontario Creates (OMDC) and its Audit and Strategic Planning Committees; he is also chair of the Screen Based Industries Strategic Working Group for the City of London, and served as a member of London’s 2019 JUNOS Host Committee.
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The Filmmaker Q&A
Intimate conversations with filmmakers about their creative process, and what they've accomplished in Southwestern Ontario and beyond.
The Old Oak Audience Choice award
Celebrate your favourite film of the season, and let the filmmakers know how much you appreciate their talent and hard work with your vote!
The Filmmaker Lounge
Catch one-on-one conversations with filmmakers over a chill beer, and chat with audiences about their favourite films of the season.
Richmond Obeng is a Canadian cinematic director moved by thought-provoking authentic narrative. Starting his filmmaking journey shooting commercials, music videos and corporate branded content, Richmond quickly embarked on his own inspired path, focusing on creating stories grounded in truth and representation. These efforts include the award-winning and internationally praised anti-bullying short “Helping Hands”, and the HIV/AIDS branded content trifecta “PrEP”, “It Takes Courage” and “The Test”, which was featured at various community events including World Aids Day 2017. Continuing on his mission to bring important stories to light, Richmond’s long-form debut came with his 2018 Toronto inner-city documentary “Some Sort of Judas”, which after debuting to 100,000 homes on TVO, has been dubbed by several educators and activists as one of the most important Canadian documentaries in crime and justice, and made its way to the 2018 Cannes Marche du Film. Richmond’s latest project takes him to historical non-fiction, as he works with Peoples Temple cult survivor Leslie Wagner-Wilson, author of “Slavery of Faith” and the main focus of his June 2020 YouTube short docu-series “No Church in the Wild”. After securing the rights to Leslie’s autobiographical novel Richmond is now working on adapting it into a scripted miniseries.
