Oakville Festivals of Film and Art (OFFA) and Willson International have partnered on a three-year title sponsorship to bring the newly rebranded Willson Oakville Film Festival to the city. Oakville's first and only independent arts festival opens on Friday, June 24 for the first of two gala premiere screenings at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, followed by the second screening on Saturday, June 25.
Now in its third year, the three-day immersive event will include 17 additional unique screenings at the film.ca theatre located on Speers Road in Oakville.
Films from across the globe will be screened throughout the weekend including The Sabbatical, a Canadian comedy about a burnt out photography professor who decides to take a sabbatical only to be thrust into a mid-life crisis. Brian Stockon, the Regina-based director of the film, will be at the festival screening.
The Willson Oakville Film Festival will also be host to the North American premiere of It's me, Anna (Dis ek, Anna). A South African drama with English subtitles, It's me, Anna delves into the dark world of child sexual abuse as inspired by the top-selling novels Dis ek, Anna and Die Staat teen Anna Bruwer (The State vs Anna Bruwer) by Anchien Troskie.
Those looking for a lighter film will be delighted to discover the family-friendly screening of Oddball, a story of an eccentric Australian chicken farmer and his mischievous dog who make it their mission to protect a group of penguins whose numbers are rapidly declining.
Many of the films will feature a heavy focus on social issues, much the same as the 2015 event. Comprised of a collection of Canadian indie features, documentaries, short films and international premieres, this is one film festival you won't want to miss.
“What's really great about this event, that we're really impressed with, is that the festival is going to have a very large international feel but also remain very local,” says Wendy Donnan, Chair and Treasurer of Oakville Festivals of Film and Art. “There will be a lot of great Canadian films and the short films are just incredible ““ the quantity, the diversity and the cinematography. A number of the film submissions were from Sheridan College but there is also a very strong contingent of international films.”
This grassroots festival is made possible by the hard work of the Board of Directors which includes Wendy Donnan, Judah Hernandez, Tracey Luel and Cathleen MacDonald, each of whom has made it their mission to bring cultural and artistic diversity to the community.
Tickets
For $125 the Red Carpet Pass gives you access to two gala film screenings at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, VIP seating for gala screenings, access to the invite-only gala after-party, three festival screenings at the Film.ca Cinema, exclusive early access to film selections from May 15 to May 22, a swag bag and a festival t-shirt.
For $65 the Film Lovers Pass provides access to one gala film screening at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, three festival screenings at the Film.ca Cinema, exclusive early access to film selections from May 15 to May 22, and a festival t-shirt.
For more information visit: offa.ca