Oakville Festivals of Film and Art (OFFA) is back with its much-anticipated Fall Screening Series. “We have four screenings this fall, all highlighting the work of Canadian women in film,” announced OFFA Executive Director and co-Founder, Wendy Donnan.
She added, “The films feature a diverse range of genres, highlighting the best of Canadian film from across Canada, including comedy, drama, and documentary…all directed by women!”
The Fall Screening Series is sponsored by Sheridan College and Film.Ca Cinemas. Each screening includes unmissable Q&As with filmmakers, actors and others, that add to the experience for attendees.
The first film in the Fall Screening Series is on October 23 at 7:30 p.m. at OFFA event partner, Film.Ca Cinemas, 171 Speers Road, Oakville. “Lucky Star”, by Canadian writer/director Gillian McKercher, follows gambling addict Lucky as he tries to cover up his losses after being scammed from his family. Like him, Lucky's family also experiences personal struggles that may equally easily swing their future toward stability or collapse. “The film highlights the stress that gambling addiction can cause on families” said Donnan.
The drama is gripping and stark, using the Calgary winter to reflect the chilling isolation that pervades Lucky's interactions with his family. The cinematography highlights the growing distances within his household, enhancing the tension and drawing the audience deeper into the unfolding drama. The evening will also feature a Q&A live on Zoom with director/writer Gillian McKercher.
The second film of the series, shown on November 13 at 7:30 p.m., also at OFFA event partner Film.ca Cinemas, is the hybrid documentary/drama, “Wilfred Buck”.
This evening will also feature a Q&A with both Canadian/Anishnaabe writer/director Lisa Jackson and Wilfred Buck, himself,” enthused Donnan. “This film homes in on the life of Wilfred Buck, through his journey back from displacement and racism to following and teaching the cosmological wisdom of his people. Wilfred is an amazing human, a charismatic Cree Elder with a sly wit. You won’t be able to take your eyes off him in this wonderful film of his journey.”
Donnan continued, “Our third film is the newest comedy/drama from director/co-writer Sook-Yin Lee (with cowriter Joanne Sarazen), “Paying For It”, which is drawing rave reviews. This is a special sneak peak screening exclusive to OFFA!”
“Paying For It” screens November 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Film.ca Cinemas. The film’s plot? When an introverted cartoonist's girlfriend wants to redefine their relationship, he begins sleeping with sex workers and discovers a new kind of intimacy in the process. The film is an adaptation of the graphic novel by Chester Brown. “It’s a really well-done and funny film about the messy contradictions of love,” said Donnan.
The fourth film in the series won the Best Canadian feature Film Award at TIFF this year. This beautifully shot, uplifting pastoral Drama, Shepherds (Bergers), is from Quebec Writer/ Director Sophie Deraspe, and based on a novel by Mathyas Lefebure. Donnan remarked, “I love this film because it is the antithesis to our urban rat race. It shows that you can live life at a much slower pace and shows us what its like to be a herder, and the dangers that come with this job. You will love this film!”
“I chose this theme because the film and TV industry (not just in Canada) has been too slow to give women the same opportunities that men have had for many years,” explained Donnan.
She continued, “The private industry has been too slow at improving the leadership roles of women in the film and TV industries in Canada and around the world. Intrinsic gender inequality has been built into our industries, but also within society in general.”
She paused, then finished. “It’s hard to change that…it requires perseverance and action. Public organizations such as Telefilm and Ontario Creates, have done a much better job at equalizing our industry but they can’t do it alone. This series compliments OFFA’s event for International Women’s Day (which is sold out every year). Female creatives have the most amazing, compelling stories to tell. They just need the outlets to do that.”
OFFA’s Fall Screening Series tickets are available here. Single screening tickets are just $12.99, or you can purchase two full screening series passes at a steep discount until 23 October.
Buy two full screening series passes and pay less than $5 per ticket, until October 23, using the code: OFFAfall2024.