The Barrie Film Festival returns this weekend, bringing nine days of independent cinema, international films and Canadian stories to the big screen.
The 29th edition begins October 17 at Galaxy Cinemas, 72 Commerce Park Drive, with 17 feature films and 20 short films included in this year’s lineup.
Festival director Claudine Benoit says the selection includes about eight Canadian films or Canadian co-productions, with some titles coming fresh from the Toronto International Film Festival.
Among the highlights is a documentary about Canadian icon Terry Fox, featuring footage from his Marathon of Hope.
Benoit says the film was an emotional experience to watch, with no talking-head interviews. Instead, it tells the story through footage of Fox’s run, alongside the voices of people who knew him, including his brother, his best friend and former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Darryl Sittler.
Another Canadian connection is You Had to Be There: The Story of Toronto’s Godspell, which explores the community of performers behind the Toronto production and its links to the comedy talent that later became associated with Saturday Night Live and SCTV. Its cast included Martin Short, Eugene Levy and Dan Aykroyd.
Benoit also recommends Fjord, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and is set in the Netherlands, and In Alaska, a Dutch-Canadian-Inuk co-production about an Inuk man whose actions against an oil pipeline lead to an FBI manhunt.
Benoit says selecting the festival’s films involves a group of people watching dozens of titles, attending festivals such as TIFF and discussing which films will resonate with local audiences.
She says film festivals offer an opportunity to discover independent creators, see something different and connect with other moviegoers.
“It's an opportunity to see something different,” Benoit says, adding that the films can spark conversations well beyond the theatre.
For people who have never attended the Barrie Film Festival, her advice is simple: take a chance on a film, even if you know little about it beforehand.
The festival runs for nine days beginning October 17 and also includes an international short film competition, a reception and special guests.
Barrie Film Festival details: Learn More
