Last month’s 21st Annual Powell River Film Festival was a huge success, according to Powell River Film Society executive director Gary Shilling.
"It was a joyous return to the historic Patricia Theatre, with audience members commenting daily on their appreciation of the programming,” stated Shilling in a media release. “More than 400 people became society members for 2022, and 85 full passes were purchased. There were almost 2,500 attendees over 16 screenings. Special thanks to everyone who attended.”
For the first time a short was programmed with every feature film, matching each thematically, and expanding the cinematic journey that is Powell River Film Festival, added Shilling.
“We screened a range of films from mainstream Oscar nominees to more experimental European cinema, with comedy, drama, horror and Indigenous futurism genres represented, as well as social issues dealing with harm reduction for addiction, Indigenous resistance to colonialism practices and environmental concerns.”
The audience choice award went to Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy, with a rating of 4.74 out of five. It edged out Julia, followed by Beans with 4.67, Run Woman Run with 4.58, The Hidden Life of Trees with 4.53 and Dawn, Her Dad and the Tractor had 4.5.
“Our six top-rated films were three documentaries and three Indigenous films, one LGBTQ2 focused, and five were directed by women. Note that Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy, just won the Canadian Screen Award for best documentary,” stated Shilling. “We also had a record number of filmmakers present their short films, four from qathet Regional District and three from Vancouver. We held a Q&A via Zoom with Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy director Elle-Maíjá Tailfeathers.”
Trans qathet organized an informative panel discussion and Q&A after the screening of Dawn, Her Dad and the Tractor.
“We held four After Film Salons, in the theatre’s upstairs meeting room, with around a dozen people attending each time, engaging in critical discussion about the film screened that day,” added Shilling.
The Tla’amin Spirit Drummers performed at the screening of The Hidden Life of Trees. Music was provided at the opening party by Arthur Arnold on cello, Daniel Bhatacharya on violin, and Moira Hopfe-Ostensen on piano, and by the jazz band Retro for the closing party.
“These programming choices and events confirm our mandate to: deliver programming that enriches and engages our audience in critical dialogue; support local filmmakers, filmmaking and emerging talent; prioritize anti-racism, inclusivity and equity in our programming and organization; and engage with Tla’amin Nation in the ongoing process of decolonization and reconciliation.”
